31 Jan 2026
49m
Dead Drops and Disguises - A Female CIA Officer in 1980s Moscow (441)
Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times
The podcast explores Susan Miller's journey from a journalism student to a CIA operations officer during the Cold War. Miller recounts her initial, almost accidental, application to the CIA and the rigorous vetting process that followed, including humorous anecdotes about questions regarding drug use. She details her paramilitary training, which included weapons handling and surveillance detection, and her subsequent assignment to Moscow. Miller describes the intensive Russian language training she underwent and shares insights into surveillance techniques, disguises, and the challenges of operating in Moscow during the late 1980s, including witnessing a significant anti-Soviet protest.
Outlines
Part 1: Recruitment, Vetting, and Early Career
Part 2: CIA Training and Paramilitary Skills
Part 3: Operational Tradecraft in Moscow
Part 4: Historical Context and Outlook
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