This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

Podbit · This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

#661 - John Kiriakou

Explore episode Jun 5, 2026
Government
10,000–15,000 Foreign Spies Are in Washington D.C. Right Now

#661 - John Kiriakou · Jun 5, 2026 Government

The International Spy Museum's bus advertisements state there are between 10,000 and 15,000 foreign intelligence officers inside Washington D.C. — more than anywhere else on the planet. Kiriakou confirms the figure is credible, adding that the CIA was told on day one: don't eat at restaurants in McLean, Virginia because Russian and Israeli agents are there to listen.

1m 40s

Where this was said

Foreign Spies in America, Israeli Gifts with Listening Devices, and CIA Culture

At 1:22:40 · chapter starts 1:15:40

The conversation shifts from torture to the everyday reality of counterintelligence. Kiriakou describes an International Spy Museum bus advertisement claiming 10,000 to 15,000 foreign intelligence officers operate in Washington D.C. — more than any other city on Earth. He recalls his first day at the CIA, when the head of security delivered two messages: the greatest threat to America is Soviet communism (which struck Kiriakou as absurd since the USSR had already collapsed), and the Israelis routinely brought gifts packed with listening devices to CIA meetings, which is why Israeli delegations were no longer allowed inside the building. New CIA officers were also warned never to eat at restaurants in McLean, Virginia because Russian KGB and Israeli Mossad agents frequented them to eavesdrop on off-duty CIA staff.

Government
10,000–15,000 foreign spies in D.C.

#661 - John Kiriakou · Jun 5, 2026

The International Spy Museum's advertising campaign cites estimates that between 10,000 and 15,000 foreign intelligence officers operate inside Washington D.C., more than any other city on Earth.

1:23:03 – 1:23:40
History
CIA Trained Cats to Spy on the Kremlin — and It Failed Immediately

#661 - John Kiriakou · Jun 5, 2026 History

The CIA surgically implanted a microphone in a cat's ear, a radio transmitter at the base of its skull, and a wire through its fur — then spent $20 million on the project. On its first mission outside the Soviet Embassy in Washington D.C., the cat was hit by a taxi. The program was shut down. The cat was re-sewn and allegedly lived a long and happy life.

1m 55s

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