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How a Russian Spy Destroyed a Beautiful Mind

September 3, 2025 · 1 h 12 min

Show notes

This week Breaking History dives into a century-old mind game: Russia’s information war against America. More specifically, how it keeps driving us crazy. From Soviet spycraft to this summer’s Russiagate revelations, the story is often familiar: a kernel of truth is then buried in lies.

We look back at the haunted mind of James Jesus Angleton, the CIA’s original paranoia prophet. He spent his life chasing Russian ghosts, and what he saw and what he feared still echo through Washington today.


CREDITS

Executive Producer: Poppy Damon

Associate Producer: Adam Feldman

Sound Designer: Volkan Kiziltug


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