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CIA Operations Head Reflects on 30 Years

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Current CIA director John Brennan just announced major changes to the structure of the CIA.

When Thomas Twetten graduated from Iowa State, he knew he was interested in foreign countries and psychology. When he graduated with a masters degree in international affairs from Columbia University, he knew he wanted to serve his country. His only quandary was whether to join the State Department or the Central Intelligence Agency.

"I joined there partly because of the aura of not knowing very much about it. There was much less information available about the CIA."

That aura of mystery drew him into a thirty four year career, which he finished as the Deputy Director for Operations. 

On this River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with Twetten about his years as a CIA agent and about modern ethical dilemmas facing the CIA.

This program originally aired on April 3, 2015.

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