The Putin Files: John Brennan

Watch former CIA director John Brennan's candid, full interview on Putin and allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election – part of FRONTLINE’s media transparency project for our investigation, “Putin’s Revenge.”

[DavidCousins]

I'd like to hear a new conversation/interview about all the recent events.

[catsdontlikefancy]

This sounds like it could’ve been filmed yesterday.

[fruitypebbles]

I love it every time the interviewer says “cozy bear”. 🐻

[fourthdownback]

These interviews are proof that people just don’t pay attention until it hits them in the face. All of these interviews make it clear this was coming, but the question was when.

[billwalsh]

And here we are, 4 years later,
and Mr. Brennan was spot on.

[DiamondGirl]

I can only imagine JB's astonishment during Trump's Presidency and his efforts to cozy up to Putin. I bet it gave him nightmares. I bet it still does.

[Killmaisy]

Not only does this video contain interesting content, it also is perfect to fall asleep to.

[widsof]

Imagine the U.K. moving militarily into Southern Ireland and justifying it in the same terms as Putin does. It’s retrogressive, neo imperialist and how some Russians couldn’t - there is plurality of thinking in Russia, including those who wanted democracy to work - adjust to the loss of the Soviet Empire.

[dixgun]

Each one of these conversations offer different angles and surprises but the mystery remains.

[Donamtrx]

Every bully can fight..til they get punched in the face

[JohnSmith-msnj]

"Interview with a Monster..." this should be the title

[sakkieboer]

When a man cheats on his wife, he is the first to accuse his wife of being a cheat….. this is what I take from this interview.

[williamsibree]

So polite, astute and judicious. A big loss to the CIA

[ttsec]

Well duck, we really created this monster… and now we are still unwilling to truly push back… why do we make the same mistakes?

[carnivalminds]

Some of these comments are hysterical. You don’t just accidentally become the director of the CIA - you have to be intelligent and skilled to a great degree. It’s not like you can be some waste of space sitting in your grandma’s basement with your drawers on typing on your little keyboard - you have to be accomplished.

Now, that has nothing to do with his moral compass but in that line of work a saint can’t be effective.

[luxum]

This series of interviews paints a pretty stark picture.

[amenrah]

The most interesting thing in this interview is Brennan saying Russia has blackmailed political parties and politicians in other countries.

The sudden 180° turn by several (R)'s always seemed strange. Brennan basically confirmed this is the case here.

[cathyschneider]

I disagree with his assessment of James Comey. Comey worked at disparaging Clinton just before the election, which was wholly unprofessional.

[rane]

Brennan never mentioned Putin's debilitating Napoleon Complex..Not once...

[nextworld]

Brennan exemplifies the quality of person we need running government. Tellingly, he was appointed by Obama and worked for him 5 years, including getting bin Laden. Then Trump replaced Brennan with a corrupt businessman, Pompeo, whose main qualification was being loyal to Trump.