PBD Podcast CIA Operative Andrew Bustamante | PBD Podcast | Ep. 180
Aug 30, 2022
In a riveting conversation, Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA operative and corporate advisor, shares his unique journey from the shadows of intelligence to the corporate world. He reveals how CIA operatives are trained to live under layers of secrecy, including the emotional toll of cutting ties with family. Bustamante critiques the current state of intelligence agencies, discussing their potential vulnerabilities and the need for competition. He also touches on the relationship between government, big business, and the evolving perceptions of trust in media.
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Book Project Blocked by CIA
- Bustamante wrote a book that the CIA initially approved.
- However, a civilian attorney's involvement led to the CIA blocking its publication.
Hiding from CIA
- While CIA agents possess skills to hide effectively, the CIA's vast resources make finding anyone possible if they dedicate enough resources.
- This makes complete hiding challenging.
Value of Intelligence Agencies
- Assessing intelligence agencies' value is difficult as the public only sees costs, not prevented tragedies.
- CIA agents do celebrate victories internally.
