Marc Polymeropoulos: The Practice and Purpose of Human Intelligence

In the wake of 7 October 2023 and the war that followed, intelligence failures and successes have shaped events across the Middle East. In this interview, former CIA case officer and Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Marc Polymeropoulos discusses the enduring importance of human intelligence (HUMINT) – and why technology, surveillance and AI still cannot replace a trusted source on the inside. The interview, conducted by historian and senior editor Paul Lay, was recorded in October 2025 during the seminar Intelligence and Contemporary Global Challenges. See also Axess Television's website: https://www.axesstelevision.com/ Axess Television on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axesstelevision/ Axess Television on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axesstelevision