EP. 937: THROUGH THE BONEYARD OF THE CIA'S WAR ON DRUGS ft. BILL CONROY

This Is Revolution episode features investigative journalist Bill Conroy discussing his book 'The Great Pretense: A Tour Through the Boneyards of the CIA's War for Drugs.' Conroy brings four decades of reporting experience on national security and the illegal drug trade to examine the CIA's complex and often contradictory role in Latin America's drug war. The episode promises to explore how the CIA has simultaneously worked against other U.S. agencies, collaborated with them, and in some cases enabled cartel trafficking—all ostensibly in pursuit of intelligence-gathering and opaque national security objectives. The discussion frames the book as part memoir, part exposé, and part thriller, grounded in Conroy's lived experience as an investigative reporter who has served as editor-in-chief, managing editor, and reporter. The episode emphasizes the importance of authentic journalism in countering manipulation and deceit by powerful entities, particularly intelligence agencies. The show notes highlight the book's focus on the 'moral dilemmas' and 'complexities' of CIA operations in the drug war, suggesting the conversation will dig into the ethical dimensions of these intelligence activities. The episode appears designed for listeners interested in deep-dive investigations into U.S. foreign policy, intelligence agency accountability, and the intersection of drug trafficking with national security operations. The host also promotes related content including a bi-weekly series called 'The Crisis Papers' and a weekly newsletter, positioning this as part of a broader investigative journalism project.

Verdict: A solid investigative journalism episode with a credentialed expert on an important but well-trodden topic, limited by show notes that don't reveal specific revelations or evidence presented.

News rubric

• Accuracy and sourcing 3/5 20%

  Guest is a credentialed 40-year investigative journalist with editorial experience; book described as evidence-based, but show notes don't detail specific sources or fact-checking methodology used in the episode itself.

• Balance and context 2/5 20%

  Show notes frame the CIA's actions critically without indicating whether counterarguments or official responses are presented; describes CIA as 'enabling' trafficking but doesn't signal if alternative interpretations are explored.

• Timeliness and relevance 3/5 15%

  Published October 2026 discussing decades-old CIA operations; relevant to ongoing debates about intelligence accountability but not tied to a specific current news event.

• Substance 3/5 15%

  Guest brings substantial expertise and the book promises detailed investigation, but show notes provide only high-level summary without indicating depth of specific examples, data, or revelations discussed.

• Delivers on its title 4/5 15%

  Title promises exploration of CIA's drug war role; show notes confirm discussion of CIA operations, complexities, and moral dilemmas in Latin America, directly matching the stated topic.

• Value for time 3/5 15%

  70-minute episode with credible guest discussing complex subject matter; no evidence from show notes of padding or tangents, but also no indication of exceptional pacing or density.

How we score News

Worth it if you're interested in CIA accountability, Latin American drug policy history, or investigative journalism methods, and don't mind revisiting established critiques of intelligence agencies.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.