DIA Connections

CI and the Year of the Spy

Forty years ago, spies were being exposed at an alarming rate, which led the press to dub 1985 the Year of the Spy. In this episode, you'll hear about two DIA analysts in

Shoshana’s Story

As a specialist in a maintenance company during the Iraq War in 2003, the last thing Shoshana Johnson expected to happen was to be captured by the enemy and held in capti

Candid Cameras

During the Iraq War in 2003, U.S. Special Operations Forces rescued Pfc. Jessica Lynch from a hospital in Baghdad. It was the first successful rescue of an American priso

The Fentanyl Fight

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. On this episode, you’ll hear a DIA counter narcotics officer discuss the agency’s effo

Best of Season 4

This episode of DIA Connections features highlights from Season Four. Catch up on this season's best moments with an American pilot who landed his plane safely after a mi

Lasers, Asteroids, and The Jetsons

Wouldn’t it be unbelievable if a spaceship could land on an asteroid, collect rocks that could reveal the secrets of life’s origins, and then return to Earth? Well, belie

Glossophobia

Does public speaking cause you to quiver in fear? You're not alone - but it's not a good trait to have when briefing policymakers! On this episode, we’ll get tips on how

The Write Stuff

Who said writing intelligence reports for policymakers is boring? Not us--and certainly not former DIA intelligence analyst turned Hollywood screenwriter Mitchell LaFortu

Show & Tell: Iranian UAVs in Ukraine

How did a soccer match and a children’s magazine inspire a team of analysts to create an unclassified report proving Iranian military support to Russia in Ukraine? Find o

The China Incident

In 2001, an American spy plane collided with a Chinese jet fighter, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing the American aircraft to land at Hainan Island, where Chinese au

Saving the History of the World

Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, da Vinci – just a few of the artists whose masterpieces were stolen by the Nazis. On this episode of DIA Connections, Robert Edsel, author of

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 7: Best of Season Three

On this special episode of DIA Connections, catch up with the best of season three. We spoke with a wide range of guests including the creator of the Iraqi Most Wanted De

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 6: The Last Monday in May

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who died while serving in the military. On this episode of DIA Connections, a discussion on the

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 5: "Iraqi Most Wanted Deck of Cards"

Diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades.  On this episode of DIA Connections, listen to how a team of analysts developed a special deck of playing cards used in Operation Iraq

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 4: "Sax & The Spy"

Merryl Goldberg was followed by the KGB...interrogated by the KGB...even arrested by the KGB.  Just another spy that got caught, right? Well, not exactly. On this episode

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 3: "Ukraine: Truth Be Told"

Throughout his country's invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly denied his forces were targeting civilians. The world saw the truth for itself i

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 2: Ukraine - Children of War

In June 2022, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “Russia is stealing the childhood of our children.” Every victim of war suffers loss, but no one loses as much a

DIA Connections - Season 3 - Episode 1: Operation Babylift - Tragedy & Triumph

In April 1975, South Vietnam was on the verge of collapse. As North Vietnamese forces advanced towards Saigon, orphaned babies adopted by American families needed a way o

DIA Connections - Season 2 - Episode 9: Best of Season Two

On this special episode of DIA Connections…a chance to catch up with the best of season two. We spoke with a wide range of guests including the founder of the original To

DIA Connections - Season 2 - Episode 8: Strange Things at DIA

We know this is going to sound strange, but it's true! For more than a decade, the Defense Intelligence Agency - the Nation's primary manager and producer of foreign mili