To The Seventh Floor: Former CIA Director John Brennan on the CIA in the 21st Century

In this episode, A’ndre and Ryan speak with John Brennan, the 5th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, about the national security landscape. The conversation begins with Director Brennan’s story of joining the CIA in 1980, his expertise in counterterrorism, and what the CT threat matrix looks like today. They also discuss how the US pullback from the Middle East impacts operations in the region, as well as the Agency’s reorientation towards nation-state threats. Director Brennan’s tenure at CIA experienced the development and use of technological innovations, such as drones, and he breaks down how and why the United States deploys them. The episode concludes with a frank conversation about diversity and recruitment at the CIA, as well as what issue area should receive greater attention by the intelligence community.