CIA Officer & Wife - Jihi Bustamante (EverydaySpy) скачать в хорошем качестве

CIA Officer & Wife - Jihi Bustamante (EverydaySpy)

Today, The IN Network: The National Security Academy sits down with Jihi Bustamante, a former CIA officer whose work inside the intelligence community offers a rare glimpse into how modern espionage and intelligence operations actually function. During her time at the Central Intelligence Agency, Bustamante served as a targeting officer, a role responsible for identifying and analyzing individuals, networks, and environments relevant to intelligence operations. Targeting officers play a critical role behind the scenes — combining research, analysis, and operational insight to support intelligence collection and guide field operations. In this conversation, Bustamante shares what it is like to work inside one of the world’s most influential intelligence organizations. She discusses the path that led her into intelligence, the analytical and strategic mindset required for the role, and how targeting officers contribute to missions that often remain unseen by the public. We also explore the realities of intelligence work — from the importance of cultural awareness and relationship-building to the complex ethical and personal challenges that come with operating in the national security space. Following her time in government, Bustamante co-founded EverydaySpy together with her husband, Andrew Bustamante, creating a platform dedicated to teaching individuals and organizations practical intelligence skills inspired by real-world CIA tradecraft. Andrew Bustamante himself served in the CIA’s National Clandestine Service as a Staff Operations Officer (SUE) and Case Manager focusing on targeting, where he specialized in human and technical intelligence operations (HUMINT/TECHINT). Together, they have transformed their intelligence experience into educational programs that make the principles of intelligence, decision-making, and strategic awareness accessible to a broader audience. Finally, Bustamante offers advice to students and young professionals interested in pursuing careers in intelligence, national security, and public service — highlighting the importance of curiosity, discipline, and a deep understanding of human behavior. At The IN Network: The National Security Academy, conversations like this reflect our mission — connecting scholarship, real-world practice, and the next generation of national security leaders. Thank you to Olivia Valtulini Prisco, Digital Design & Experience Intern at The IN Network, for leading this discussion.