The Ultimate Guide to CIA Skills, Tactics, and Techniques

by John Kiriakou, Tucker Carlson (Foreword)

Genres: Politics

528 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

John served in the Central Intelligence Agency first as an analyst, and later as a counterterrorism operations officer, from 1990-2004. He spent much of his career working on Iraq and the Persian Gulf. In 1997 he changed career tracks from analysis to operations and moved to Athens, Greece, where he worked against the notorious terrorist group “Revolutionary Organization 17 November.” He became chief of counterterrorist operations in Pakistan following the September 11 attacks, and his tour climaxed in the March 2002 capture of Abu Zubaydah, then believed to be al-Qa’ida’s third-ranking official.

John Kiriakou became an anti-torture whistleblower and activist when he told ABC News in December 2007 that the CIA was torturing prisoners, that that torture was official U.S. government policy, and that the policy was approved by the President.

John eventually was charged with three counts of espionage, one count of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act and one count of making a false statement as a result of the 2007 ABC News interview. Even though he had no criminal intent, and there was no harm to the national security, accepting the plea resulted in a sentence of 30 months in prison.

Reviews

[Victoria Gilder]

The Ultimate Guide to CIA Skills, Tactics, and Techniques offers readers an extensive look into the world of intelligence, drawing on John Kiriakou's experience and perspective to explore the skills, practices, and operational concepts associated with the Central Intelligence Agency.

At 528 pages, the book has room to examine its subject in considerable depth. Its appeal lies not simply in the intrigue surrounding the CIA, but in the opportunity to better understand how intelligence professionals approach information, observation, communication, assessment, and difficult operational environments.

Kiriakou's background gives the book an especially interesting perspective. Rather than approaching intelligence solely as an abstract subject, the author brings experience from inside the intelligence community to a topic that has long fascinated the public.

The book is also likely to appeal to readers interested in the human side of intelligence work. Behind the familiar images of espionage and covert operations are disciplines involving judgment, preparation, communication, analysis, and the ability to function effectively under uncertainty. Exploring those dimensions makes the subject more accessible and intellectually engaging.

The inclusion of a foreword by Tucker Carlson adds another contemporary perspective to a book dealing with an institution that remains central to discussions about American foreign policy, national security, and intelligence operations.

Readers interested in intelligence history, espionage, national security, the CIA, political affairs, and firsthand perspectives on the intelligence world will find The Ultimate Guide to CIA Skills, Tactics, and Techniques an intriguing and substantial read.

An expansive exploration of the intelligence profession that brings together experience, operational knowledge, and the enduring public fascination with the secretive world of espionage.

[T Olsen]

Don't let the missing star in the rating fool you, as this is a very good and interesting book. The problem is the title, as the book has only a little guidance, but a lot of history.

[Sylvia M. Henderson]

Informative

A great overview of what our government can do to protect our country. This opened my eyes to the complex systems we have.

[Len]

Dreadful. Did he rush this?