CIA needs more Chinese speakers, spy boss says in Langley Files podcast debut
- CIA Director Bill Burns talks about recruitment needs in spy agency’s first-ever podcast
- The Langley Files will be available on all streaming platforms and the CIA’s website
There is no shortage of podcasts out there exploring the mechanics of espionage, celebrating fictionalised spies and detailing the real-world exploits of US intelligence agencies. But only one, as of today, is officially unclassified.
The CIA launched The Langley Files podcast on Thursday, attempting to step out from its own shadows to share stories from the agency’s 75-year history – and provide a little insight into what it takes to work there.
The podcast is hosted by “Dee” and “Walter”, but a CIA spokesperson would not give their last names or even say if the first names were authentic.
Its first guest was CIA director Bill Burns, who said his life was nothing like Jason Bourne and James Bond.
“I’m most comfortable driving our 2013 Subaru Outback at posted speed limits and, for me at least, the height of technological daring is when I can finally get the Roku remote to work at home,” he admitted.
Burns’ main point was to stress that while the CIA has many officers undercover in the field, they are not dramatic solo operators like Bond, Bourne or Jack Ryan of Hollywood fame.
“The truth is that intelligence is very much a team sport. It’s a profession of hard collective work and shared risks,” Burns said.