Talks / Ideas / Philosophy

Why the Cia Keeps Getting North Korea Wrong

Various venues across London

Mon 12 Oct · 19:00 · £20.25

90m · Talk

About this event

"Why the CIA Keeps Getting North Korea Wrong" with Nick Miller Summary: This presentation seeks to examine the roots of the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) problems in understanding North Korean politics. Thorough a combination of archival research of declassified CIA documents and interviews with retired CIA intelligence officials to help understand how the CIA’s actions in the Korean War set themselves up for continued failure to gather intelligence into the 21st Century has impacted its analysis on North Korea. The talk will also discuss how these historical intelligence failures impacted the analysis of the first hereditary succession ( Kim Il-sung - Kim Jong-il). Bio : Nick J.S. Miller got his doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in East Asian Studies. He is currently a professor of intelligence studies at the Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, teaching Chinese-North Korean intelligence issues. Previously he was an East Asian Security Analyst for the United States Department of Defence. His past roles within the US Air Force were Pacific Command Adversary Training Manager, 64th Aggressor Squadron Certified North Korean Air Defence Briefer, and liaison officer to the 613th Air Operation Centre and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command. He had the unique distinction of being one of the few DoD North Korean specialists to have spent time inside North Korea. Venue: The Alma, Wandsworth 499 Old York Rd, London SW18 1TF Event Running Time: (We recommend arriving at 6:30pm if you're eating, and 7pm if drinks only) Doors from 7pm Introduction: 7:25pm Lecture: 7:30pm Q&A: 8:10pm Finish: 8:30pm FAQs: What is Pints of Knowledge? Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond. What happens at Pints of Knowledge? At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting. What if I don't drink alcohol ? No problem at all! Pints of Knowledge is all about the ideas and the community, not the drinks. You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink, coffee, or whatever you prefer. The focus is on creating a relaxed, social atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Can I attend without a ticket? Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. With our limited capacity at each venue we can't let people in without a ticket. There is occasionally the option to purchase a ticket on the door for our sold-out events, but we cannot guarantee this. Is there food available? Yes, there is usually the option to purchase food at our events - please see each venue's menu on their website. If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts. In the unlikely event the kitchen isn't open, there will typically be an option to order in food from elsewhere or bring your own food. Can I get my ticket refunded? We issue full ticket refunds up to 24 hours before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser. Can I get my ticket exchanged? We issue full ticket exchanges if you have requested 48 hours before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser . Is the event pet/baby friendly? Yes, we allow pets and babies to attend but reserve the right to request their removal if they are disruptive. Is the venue accessible? All of our venues are accessible, besides the following: The Old Queen's Head, The Landor, The Alma, and The Morpeth Arms.