S3 E7 David McCloskey: Russian operations in Syria and the US
S3 E7 David McCloskey: Russian operations in Syria and the US
Olga and Mo are joined by David McCloskey, former CIA analyst, specialised in affairs in the Middle East, and author of Damascus Station and Moscow X, to talk about Assad's regime in Syria, what sparked the protest movements in Syria, and how the Assad regime cracked down on the Syria population. We also discussed Russia's role and operations there. In the second half of the conversation, David talks about Russian spying in the US, and his take on Russia's strategy in Ukraine.
David's latest—“Moscow X”—is now available, and promises to be a fabulous read as it fits in well with our battle with Putin and his criminal regime.
You can listen to the episode here on Megaphone or your preferred podcast platform. For ad-free episodes and the video version, please consider supporting with a membership subscription.
More about David McCloskey
David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and former consultant at McKinsey & Company. While at the CIA, he worked in field stations across the Middle East and briefed senior White House officials and Arab royalty.
He is the best-selling author of Damascus Station, Moscow X, and he’s currently working on a new novel: The Chief.
Recommended Readings
About “Moscow X”: A daring CIA operation threatens chaos in the Kremlin. But can Langley trust the Russian at its center?
CIA officers Sia and Max enter Russia under commercial cover to recruit Vladimir Putin’s moneyman. Sia works for a London law firm that conceals the wealth of the superrich. Max’s family business in Mexico―a CIA front since the 1960s―is a farm that breeds high-end racehorses. They pose as a couple to target Vadim, Putin’s private banker, and his wife, Anna, who―unbeknownst to CIA―is a Russian intelligence officer under deep cover at the bank. As they descend further into a Russian world dripping with luxury and rife with gangland violence, Sia and Max’s only hope may be Anna, who is playing a game of her own. Careening between the horse ranch in northern Mexico, the corridors of Langley, and the dark opulence of Putin’s Russia, Moscow X is both a gripping thriller of modern espionage and a raw, unsparing commentary on the nature of truth, loyalty, and vengeance amid the shadow war between the United States and Russia.
About “Damascus Station”:
A CIA officer and his recruit arrive in war-ravaged Damascus to hunt for a killer in this page-turner that offers the "most authentic depiction of modern-day tradecraft in print." (Navy SEAL sniper and New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr).
CIA case officer Sam Joseph is dispatched to Paris to recruit Syrian Palace official Mariam Haddad. The two fall into a forbidden relationship, which supercharges Haddad’s recruitment and creates unspeakable danger when they enter Damascus to find the man responsible for the disappearance of an American spy.
What they say about David:
Meet David McCloskey, America’s answer to John le Carré (Jun 2023)
“CIA Officers Turned Authors” – with David McCloskey & James Stejskal on SpyCast
We Are All Double Agents (Aug 2021)
The Spy Who Could Have Saved Syria (Oct 2021)
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Sometimes we get comments or questions beforehand, but everyone is encouraged to chip into the convo. Bring your coffee or if you’re on the other side of the Atlantic, an aperitivo!
A shout out to our current members that make the Lounge a lively informal chat! We’d like to thank Lounge members who have come along so far…from the States, Canada, France, Italy and England. We look forward to meeting you all.
Cheers
Olga and Mo