About this episode

The episode discusses the role of the CIA and its operations under presidential orders, featuring insights from historian Tim Weiner.

From CIA training in Washington to the diplomatic round in Wellington, Kit Bennetts' target comes into focus. CIA historian Tim Weiner says the Agency is no rogue elephant - it is acting under orders from the President. To see some of the pictures of Kit Bennetts mentioned in this, and other episodes, have a look at this piece on the RNZ website . You can also listen to The Service , from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

People in this episode

Host: RNZ

Guest: Tim Weiner

Topics covered

• CIA
• diplomacy
• history
• intelligence
• politics

Keywords

• CIA
• Kit Bennetts
• Tim Weiner
• diplomatic relations
• intelligence history
• RNZ

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CIA, RNZ, Bird of Paradise Productions

Places: Washington, Wellington

More episodes of The Agency

• The Price of Freedom · April 13, 2026 · 54 min
• Treachery · April 13, 2026 · 58 min
• Arranging the Truth · April 9, 2026 · 50 min
• Guerrilla in Manila · April 9, 2026 · 50 min
• NOC, NOC · April 6, 2026 · 47 min
• Introducing: The Agency · March 30, 2026 · 2 min

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