In The East Wing
In The East Wing
WKNC 88.1 | NC State Student Radio
Stories of espionage, war, and politics, with a primary focus on the Middle East. This podcast will bring together individuals who were involved in the region in different capacities and lived long enough to tell their stories. This will be raw, balanced, and undeniably suspenseful. Join Abdullah Najjar, as he takes you through a journey to a different world. A podcast by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2.
Closing Down The East Wing
In this episode, Abdullah expresses his gratitude to WKNC and the fans for their support of the podcast. He also goes over a couple of things about his background, how the podcast started, and some of his favorite conversations. View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
May 20, 2025
21 min
My Story As A Former Special Agent Within Diplomatic Security
Abdullah is Joined by Gentry Smith, A former police officer, special agent for diplomatic security, and director of the office of foreign missions. Smith shares with us many stories about his postings abroad as well as some of the lessons that he learned from diplomacy and travel.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
May 1, 2025
48 min
From US Marines to A PhD in Philosophy
Joseph Kyrlow is a philosophy professor at NC State University. Before his academic career, Joe was in the US military, where he enlisted in the Marines straight after high school. In this episode, Joe shares with us a few stories about his military career, his transition to philosophy, as well as his faith journey. This is a raw and unfiltered conversation with my good friend Joe.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Apr 7, 2025
1 hr 7 min
A Short Interview With Special Operator Bob Burton
This is A short interview with Special operator Bob Burton, who was a green beret in the US military. Bob shares with us a few lessons about what it takes to make it to this special operations unit and why he ended up choosing to join the army and serve his country.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Apr 1, 2025
10 min
What It Takes To Be A Case Officer for the CIA
This is A conversation with Patrick Weninger, an NC State University alum and a former Case Officer for the CIA. Patrick shares stories from his experience as a case officer, how he became involved with the CIA, and what it is like to engage with people as an undercover officer.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Mar 22, 2025
45 min
Being A Female Intelligence Officer and Leaving the Clandestine Service
 Lindsay Moran joins Abdullah Najjar to discuss her work in the Clandestine Service at the CIA. Her work involved the recruitment of Human intelligence, otherwise known as spies. After Leaving the agency in 2003, Lindsay started writing and published her memoir, Blowing My Cover (attached below), which details her time in the agency. She currently works as a freelance writer, whose articles have appeared at the New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today.Link to Blowing My Cover: My Life as A CIA Spy.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Mar 1, 2025
48 min
Stories of Journalism and War Correspondence with Toby Harnden
Toby Harnden is an Author and War Correspondent. He spent almost 25 years working for British newspapers, mainly as a foreign correspondent. He has reported from different places around the world, including London, Belfast, Washington, Jerusalem, and Baghdad. In 2012, he was awarded the Orwell Prize for books. He has written three non-fiction books, which are linked below. Our conversation primarily focused on foreign correspondence, though viewer discretion is advised. I hope you would enjoy this episode, and please be sure to purchase Toby’s books.First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11.Dead Men Risen: The Welsh Guards and the Defining Story of Britain's War in AfghanistanBandit Country: the IRA and South Armagh.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Feb 26, 2025
50 min
Part 2 with Jason Riddle - Changes in US Administrations During My Military Career
In Part 2, Jason Riddle Walks us through some of the changes in US administrations that impacted his military career at the air force. Jason shares with many stories - some are serious, and some are quite hilarious.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Feb 4, 2025
1 hr 6 min
The Traitor's Tale & Foreign Spies with Jim Lawler
Jim Lawler, a former CIA officer, walks us through his days in the agency and his recruitment of foreign spies. Mr. Lawler shares with us many insights about human nature and what it takes for someone to betray a trust and commit treason. In addition, Mr. Lawler and I discuss the pagers' attack conducted by Israel against Hezbollah, and devote the last bit of our conversation to his espionage novels. Links to these novels are attached below. Be sure to also attend Mr. Lawler's book talk, where he will be discussing his third novel, The Traitor's Tale. Time and place are attached below.Living LiesIn The Twinkling of an EyeBook Talk on The Traitor's tale:the American Legion Hall, 111 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117 at 6:00PM on Tuesday 18 February. Hosted by former CIA Deputy Director Michael MorellView the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Jan 18, 2025
58 min
The Reality of War Reporting with Hollie McKay
Hollie Mckay, a war journalist, joins Abdullah Najjar for a conversation on passion, the realities of war, giving a voice to the voiceless, and much more. Hollie shares a few of the lessons learned from her experiences in different countries and the balance she has to draw between family and the work she's engaged in.Be sure to Get Hollie's recent publication, a novel called "The Dictator's Wife". Be sure to also check out her new podcast, "Dispatches on Parenting Across Cultures", which is available on all platforms.View the episode transcript. In The East Wing is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.
Dec 16, 2024
50 min
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