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Hello and welcome to SpyCast from the Secret Files of the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.

I'm Peter Ernest, the Executive Director of the Museum. I served for some 36 years in the

Central Intelligence Agency largely as what is called an operations officer or a case officer.

Every month will be bringing you interesting talks with visitors,

with authors, with others who have something to do with the world of intelligence

and espionage. Our guest today. Intelligence and

our guest today is Bruce Ridell. Bruce is a 30-year veteran of the CIA, the Central Intelligence Agency,

and he's been an advisor to four presidents.

Most recently, President Obama asked him to chair an interagency task force

reviewing the policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. He has served as a special assistant to

other presidents on the National Security Council on the National Intelligence

Council. Currently he's a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute.

Bruce, welcome.

Thank you.

Thanks. It's to be nice to be here.

Okay, we're delighted to have you.

Bruce, I think it's difficult not to be not to be caught up in the days, news, and

headlines.

The subject that you were advising the president on was Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Certainly both are in the eye of the storm.

And let me just ask you your comments first.

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