22 Items Tagged

CIA

The truth is out there—somewhere.

The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)

What’s the real story behind America’s most infamous Air Force base?

The Podcast Team July 1, 2025

Cher Ami, a black checker pigeon, earned his fame carrying messages for the American military during World War I. The pigeons recruited by the CIA during the Cold War were trained to undertake more clandestine tasks.

When the CIA Spied on American Citizens—Using Pigeons

The seemingly birdbrained Cold War experiment is still partially classified.

Steven Ewin January 11, 2023

Francis Gary Powers Memorial

Pound, Virginia

Francis Gary Powers Memorial

A highway marker that honors a former spy plane pilot and local hero.

Frankfurt, Germany

IG Farben Haus

From Nazi chemicals to the CIA, this architectural marvel has played a fascinating role in German history.

The Mountain Sphinx.

Bușteni, Romania

The Mountain Sphinx

Conspiracy theories and occult legends surround this mysterious natural rock formation.

A view of Havana from a hotel popular with Americans.

What Do We Know About the Strange Sonic Attacks in Cuba?

Starting late in 2016, diplomats reported hearing loss and other severe symptoms.

Sarah Laskow October 13, 2017

Jack Webb and Harry Morgan in Dragnet.

When the Star of 'Dragnet' Wanted to Start a Show With the CIA

It, sadly, was never made.

Michael Best May 18, 2017

A great white shark lurking.

The CIA’s Aborted Investment in an 'Electronic Shark Repeller'

The agency saw the need for about 30 of them.

JPat Brown May 12, 2017

When the CIA Made 'Pseudo-Marijuana'

It was the '70s.

Michael Best April 26, 2017

This is John Belushi.

In the 1960s, the CIA Fired Some Employees Over a Cafeteria Fight

The fight might not have been the only one.

JPat Brown April 19, 2017

Albert Einstein accepting American citizenship from Judge Philip Forman in 1940.

How the CIA's Psychics Described Albert Einstein

"He looked like a hippie."

JPat Brown April 5, 2017

Women bowling in 1963 who presumably (?) are not undercover.

The Complications of Joining an Office Bowling League at the CIA

Lots of security briefings.

JPat Brown March 30, 2017

Bielefeld

Bielefeld, Germany

Bielefeld Conspiracy

According to a satirical conspiracy theory that persists today, this German city of 300,000 is a hoax invented by the CIA.

CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

The FOIA Request That the CIA Didn't Touch for Six Years

Get it together, CIA.

JPat Brown December 28, 2016

Richard Helms, left, in 1968.

The FBI File on the CIA’s 'Gentlemanly Planner of Assassinations'

Richard Helms kept secrets.

Beryl Lipton December 8, 2016

The CIA's Declassified Guide to What Women Want

Women, apparently, are "intimidated by the secretive, aloof image of the CIA.”

JPat Brown July 22, 2016

9 Places Where You Can See Spying and Surveillance in Action

A different sort of listening party.

Dylan Thuras June 24, 2016

Truman, Trump, and Why Presidential Candidates Get Top Secret Intelligence Briefings

A brief history.

Erik Shilling May 16, 2016