David Priess
@davidpriess.bsky.social
Intelligence, geopolitics, and learning | Global Head of Training & Education, Emergent Risk Interrnational | Senior Fellow, Hayden Center | Former CIA & State Department | Duke poli sci PhD | Author, The President’s Book of Secrets
Well, I certainly have exceptional reading lined up for the next few weeks!
Congrats to three great authors on these great new books!
Congrats to three great authors on these great new books!
October 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Well, I certainly have exceptional reading lined up for the next few weeks!
Congrats to three great authors on these great new books!
Congrats to three great authors on these great new books!
“If America achieves maturity, the primary mark of it must be the willingness to assume continuing responsibility in the world community of nations. We must seek to maintain a critical attitude toward our own power impulses.”
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
August 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
“If America achieves maturity, the primary mark of it must be the willingness to assume continuing responsibility in the world community of nations. We must seek to maintain a critical attitude toward our own power impulses.”
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
For those of you not fluent in Archie and Ollie, this look means “Why aren’t WE having some of those eggs?!?”
August 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
For those of you not fluent in Archie and Ollie, this look means “Why aren’t WE having some of those eggs?!?”
I was blessed to again cross paths and speak with Bill Webster on several occasions thereafter—such as at the International Spy Museum, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter.
This week, we lost an amazing public servant, a role model for so many who have followed.
We are all in his debt.
/end
This week, we lost an amazing public servant, a role model for so many who have followed.
We are all in his debt.
/end
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I was blessed to again cross paths and speak with Bill Webster on several occasions thereafter—such as at the International Spy Museum, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter.
This week, we lost an amazing public servant, a role model for so many who have followed.
We are all in his debt.
/end
This week, we lost an amazing public servant, a role model for so many who have followed.
We are all in his debt.
/end
Years after Webster’s FBI and CIA time ended, I spoke with him about his roles and insights for my book on the history of presidents and intelligence.
He was so generous with his time—open with his reflections, and eager to help me understand his experiences.
More of his insights in my book.
8/9
He was so generous with his time—open with his reflections, and eager to help me understand his experiences.
More of his insights in my book.
8/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Years after Webster’s FBI and CIA time ended, I spoke with him about his roles and insights for my book on the history of presidents and intelligence.
He was so generous with his time—open with his reflections, and eager to help me understand his experiences.
More of his insights in my book.
8/9
He was so generous with his time—open with his reflections, and eager to help me understand his experiences.
More of his insights in my book.
8/9
As CIA Director, he had a more legalistic take than his predecessors, which didn’t make everyone love him.
But he was universally respected.
So much so that when Bush 41 took office, he didn’t hesitate to keep Webster at CIA.
Imagine that: Three very different presidents, all choosing him.
7/9
But he was universally respected.
So much so that when Bush 41 took office, he didn’t hesitate to keep Webster at CIA.
Imagine that: Three very different presidents, all choosing him.
7/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
As CIA Director, he had a more legalistic take than his predecessors, which didn’t make everyone love him.
But he was universally respected.
So much so that when Bush 41 took office, he didn’t hesitate to keep Webster at CIA.
Imagine that: Three very different presidents, all choosing him.
7/9
But he was universally respected.
So much so that when Bush 41 took office, he didn’t hesitate to keep Webster at CIA.
Imagine that: Three very different presidents, all choosing him.
7/9
Among my favorite stories about his CIA time:
He was determined to avoid even the appearance of politicization.
Before taking the job, he told Reagan and a few of Reagan’s top advisers that, unlike his predecessor, he should not sit in the Cabinet—calling it not “necessary or desirable.”
6/9
He was determined to avoid even the appearance of politicization.
Before taking the job, he told Reagan and a few of Reagan’s top advisers that, unlike his predecessor, he should not sit in the Cabinet—calling it not “necessary or desirable.”
6/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Among my favorite stories about his CIA time:
He was determined to avoid even the appearance of politicization.
Before taking the job, he told Reagan and a few of Reagan’s top advisers that, unlike his predecessor, he should not sit in the Cabinet—calling it not “necessary or desirable.”
6/9
He was determined to avoid even the appearance of politicization.
Before taking the job, he told Reagan and a few of Reagan’s top advisers that, unlike his predecessor, he should not sit in the Cabinet—calling it not “necessary or desirable.”
6/9
Then, President Reagan in 1987 asked him to be Director of Central Intelligence, after Bill Casey’s death.
Not for Webster’s deep experience with covert operations, which he did not have—nor for his deep analytic expertise, which he did not have.
It was because of his integrity.
5/9
Not for Webster’s deep experience with covert operations, which he did not have—nor for his deep analytic expertise, which he did not have.
It was because of his integrity.
5/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Then, President Reagan in 1987 asked him to be Director of Central Intelligence, after Bill Casey’s death.
Not for Webster’s deep experience with covert operations, which he did not have—nor for his deep analytic expertise, which he did not have.
It was because of his integrity.
5/9
Not for Webster’s deep experience with covert operations, which he did not have—nor for his deep analytic expertise, which he did not have.
It was because of his integrity.
5/9
Webster led the FBI at a time when it was still reeling in the aftermath of Watergate and related complications. He helped rebuild the credibility of the organization when it needed it most.
4/9
4/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Webster led the FBI at a time when it was still reeling in the aftermath of Watergate and related complications. He helped rebuild the credibility of the organization when it needed it most.
4/9
4/9
He soon made his way into different public service—as a US Attorney, before moving to federal judiciary roles.
He never sought to be an executive in Washington DC, much less a legendary one—but his sense of duty meant that he answered President Carter’s call to national service. Again.
3/9
He never sought to be an executive in Washington DC, much less a legendary one—but his sense of duty meant that he answered President Carter’s call to national service. Again.
3/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
He soon made his way into different public service—as a US Attorney, before moving to federal judiciary roles.
He never sought to be an executive in Washington DC, much less a legendary one—but his sense of duty meant that he answered President Carter’s call to national service. Again.
3/9
He never sought to be an executive in Washington DC, much less a legendary one—but his sense of duty meant that he answered President Carter’s call to national service. Again.
3/9
After serving in the US Navy in the Second World War, he went to college and law school—and then right back into naval service during the Korean War.
I didn’t know that back when I first heard about his later career, but it says so much.
2/9
I didn’t know that back when I first heard about his later career, but it says so much.
2/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
After serving in the US Navy in the Second World War, he went to college and law school—and then right back into naval service during the Korean War.
I didn’t know that back when I first heard about his later career, but it says so much.
2/9
I didn’t know that back when I first heard about his later career, but it says so much.
2/9
A few professional and personal reflections tonight, upon today’s news of the death of Judge William Webster, at the remarkable age of 101.
1/9
1/9
August 9, 2025 at 3:45 AM
A few professional and personal reflections tonight, upon today’s news of the death of Judge William Webster, at the remarkable age of 101.
1/9
1/9
“The forces of self-interest to be deflected are not always those of the opponent or competitor. They are frequently those of the self, individual or collective.”
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
August 7, 2025 at 3:05 AM
“The forces of self-interest to be deflected are not always those of the opponent or competitor. They are frequently those of the self, individual or collective.”
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
— Reinhold Niebuhr (1944)
"That which does not kill us makes us stranger.”
— Trevor Goodchild, Æon Flux
— Trevor Goodchild, Æon Flux
August 3, 2025 at 4:40 AM
"That which does not kill us makes us stranger.”
— Trevor Goodchild, Æon Flux
— Trevor Goodchild, Æon Flux
Post yourself from another era.
June 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Post yourself from another era.
I know for sure that it’s summer when I’m finally holding this year’s new @bradthor.bsky.social thriller in my hands….
This time, Scot Harvath faces a conspiracy in the US itself—one that tests him in new ways.
Available everywhere on July 1!
This time, Scot Harvath faces a conspiracy in the US itself—one that tests him in new ways.
Available everywhere on July 1!
June 23, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I know for sure that it’s summer when I’m finally holding this year’s new @bradthor.bsky.social thriller in my hands….
This time, Scot Harvath faces a conspiracy in the US itself—one that tests him in new ways.
Available everywhere on July 1!
This time, Scot Harvath faces a conspiracy in the US itself—one that tests him in new ways.
Available everywhere on July 1!
It’s a joy to hold this early copy of SECRETS ON DISPLAY, edited by the A+ duo of @markstout.bsky.social and @s-jcorke63.bsky.social—available everywhere on June 24.
It’s full of insight on
the history of espionage and of DC’s International Spy Museum. Amazing pics, too.
Congrats to all involved!
It’s full of insight on
the history of espionage and of DC’s International Spy Museum. Amazing pics, too.
Congrats to all involved!
June 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
It’s a joy to hold this early copy of SECRETS ON DISPLAY, edited by the A+ duo of @markstout.bsky.social and @s-jcorke63.bsky.social—available everywhere on June 24.
It’s full of insight on
the history of espionage and of DC’s International Spy Museum. Amazing pics, too.
Congrats to all involved!
It’s full of insight on
the history of espionage and of DC’s International Spy Museum. Amazing pics, too.
Congrats to all involved!
After two years, today I leave Bedrock Knowledge for my next chapter in what the noted career counselor Prince (!) called “this thing called life.”
I have learned so much—and I’m grateful to @ryanevans.bsky.social for the opportunity to grow.
Stay tuned for news on what’s next for me, coming soon…
I have learned so much—and I’m grateful to @ryanevans.bsky.social for the opportunity to grow.
Stay tuned for news on what’s next for me, coming soon…
May 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
After two years, today I leave Bedrock Knowledge for my next chapter in what the noted career counselor Prince (!) called “this thing called life.”
I have learned so much—and I’m grateful to @ryanevans.bsky.social for the opportunity to grow.
Stay tuned for news on what’s next for me, coming soon…
I have learned so much—and I’m grateful to @ryanevans.bsky.social for the opportunity to grow.
Stay tuned for news on what’s next for me, coming soon…
“There was even a recurrent idea in America about an education that would leave out history and the past, that should be a sort of equipment for aerial adventure, weighed down by none of the stowaways of inheritance or tradition."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1929)
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1929)
May 13, 2025 at 4:11 AM
“There was even a recurrent idea in America about an education that would leave out history and the past, that should be a sort of equipment for aerial adventure, weighed down by none of the stowaways of inheritance or tradition."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1929)
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1929)
Wanna feel old?
Spotted in the wild today:
Spotted in the wild today:
May 5, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Wanna feel old?
Spotted in the wild today:
Spotted in the wild today: