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The Debrief - Charlie the Fish

Sometimes CIA needs to get creative when collecting intelligence. Charlie, for instance, is a robotic catfish that collects water samples. While never used operationally, the unmanned underwater vehicle fish was used to study aquatic robot technology.

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The Debrief - CORONA Satellite

It’s hard to imagine a world without GPS, but in the 1950s when CIA created its first photo reconnaissance satellite codenamed CORONA, the technology did not exist. In this episode, you can learn more about how America’s first successful satellite photo reconnaissance was carried out, its strategic impact during the Cold War, and its lasting legacy.

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The Debrief - Dead Drop Rat

Not everything you see in movies depicting CIA is fake. Take dead drops for instance. They are actually a common form of communication used by CIA officers and their assets in the field. Learn more about this nearly foolproof concealment device.

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The Debrief - Insectothopter

In the 1970s, CIA created the world’s first miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, which was intended to be a clandestine listening device. The Insectothopter was never deployed operationally but was still revolutionary for its time.

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The Debrief - Kisevalter Cufflinks

Running clandestine operations in the field is no easy feat, and at times it can be difficult to tell friend from phony. To prevent cases of mistaken identity, CIA officers will sometimes carry or wear specific items. Legendary case officer George Kisevalter wore these cufflinks when meeting with Soviet GRU Lieutenant Colonel Pyotr Popov, a high-value asset.