Episode 38 - Dr. Jeffrey Rogg - Author of “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence”
Dr. Jeffrey Rogg - Author of “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence”
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I’m joined by Dr. Jeffrey Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute and one of today’s leading scholars of American intelligence history. With a career spanning the Joint Special Operations University, The Citadel, and the Naval War College, Jeff brings a rare blend of academic rigor, practitioner insight, and deep contextual understanding to the study of intelligence and national security. His recent book, “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence” (Oxford University Press, 2025), offers a sweeping and accessible examination of how U.S. intelligence has evolved and why it matters now more than ever.
In this episode, Jeff and I explore the origins of his interest in intelligence, the pivotal experiences that shaped his career, and the challenges he overcame along the way. We discuss the themes behind “The Spy and the State”, emerging developments that are reshaping modern intelligence, and how technology is transforming both the craft and the threat landscape. Jeff also unpacks what the public most often misunderstands about intelligence work, current national security issues he finds most concerning, and the advice he has for the next generation entering this demanding field.
Whether you’re an intelligence professional, national-security practitioner, or simply someone who wants to better understand the hidden machinery that shapes global events, Jeff’s insights offer a thoughtful, timely, and compelling look at where American intelligence has been, and where it’s headed next!
Guest Bio
Dr. Jeffrey Rogg is Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. Previously, he was an assistant professor at the Joint Special Operations University (U.S. Special Operations Command) and The Citadel. He was also a postdoctoral fellow in the National Security Affairs Department at the U.S. Naval War College.
Jeff is the vice president of the Society for Intelligence History and is on the editorial board of the International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence. His work has appeared in several academic journals and volumes as well as media including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The National Interest, The Hill, and the Los Angeles Times. Jeff’s book, The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence, was published by Oxford University Press in June 2025.
Jeff has a BA in Latin and ancient history from Swarthmore College, a JD from Villanova University School of Law, an MA in security studies from Georgetown University, and a PhD in history from The Ohio State University.
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