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
You are far too kind
January 12, 2026 at 8:14 PM
You are far too kind
The best news of the new year so far. Congratulations to you—and SCSP! 🤜🤛
January 4, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The best news of the new year so far. Congratulations to you—and SCSP! 🤜🤛
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 4)
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Edge of Honor by @bradthor.bsky.social
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Happy New Year!
/end
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Edge of Honor by @bradthor.bsky.social
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Happy New Year!
/end
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 4)
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Edge of Honor by @bradthor.bsky.social
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Happy New Year!
/end
Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Edge of Honor by @bradthor.bsky.social
Blindsight by Peter Watts
Happy New Year!
/end
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 3)
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neil Stephenson and Nicole Galland
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
18/19
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neil Stephenson and Nicole Galland
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
18/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 3)
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neil Stephenson and Nicole Galland
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
18/19
Anathem by Neal Stephenson
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neil Stephenson and Nicole Galland
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
18/19
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 2)
Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Master of the Revels by Nicole Galland
The Persian by David McCloskey
17/19
Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Master of the Revels by Nicole Galland
The Persian by David McCloskey
17/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 2)
Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Master of the Revels by Nicole Galland
The Persian by David McCloskey
17/19
Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Master of the Revels by Nicole Galland
The Persian by David McCloskey
17/19
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 1)
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov
16/19
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov
16/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in fiction (part 1)
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov
16/19
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov
16/19
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 4)
The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives by Adam Smyth
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All by Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares
15/19
The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives by Adam Smyth
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All by Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares
15/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 4)
The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives by Adam Smyth
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All by Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares
15/19
The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in Eighteen Lives by Adam Smyth
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All by Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares
15/19
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 3)
The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness by Reinhold Niebuhr
Christianity and Power Politics by Reinhold Niebuhr
Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr
The Library by @apettegree.bsky.social & Arthur der Weduwen
14/19
The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness by Reinhold Niebuhr
Christianity and Power Politics by Reinhold Niebuhr
Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr
The Library by @apettegree.bsky.social & Arthur der Weduwen
14/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 3)
The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness by Reinhold Niebuhr
Christianity and Power Politics by Reinhold Niebuhr
Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr
The Library by @apettegree.bsky.social & Arthur der Weduwen
14/19
The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness by Reinhold Niebuhr
Christianity and Power Politics by Reinhold Niebuhr
Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr
The Library by @apettegree.bsky.social & Arthur der Weduwen
14/19
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 2)
Alien Earths by Lisa Kaltenegger
Genesis by Henry Kissinger, Craig Mundie, and Eric Schmidt
The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher
Co-Intelligence by @emollick.bsky.social
13/19
Alien Earths by Lisa Kaltenegger
Genesis by Henry Kissinger, Craig Mundie, and Eric Schmidt
The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher
Co-Intelligence by @emollick.bsky.social
13/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 2)
Alien Earths by Lisa Kaltenegger
Genesis by Henry Kissinger, Craig Mundie, and Eric Schmidt
The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher
Co-Intelligence by @emollick.bsky.social
13/19
Alien Earths by Lisa Kaltenegger
Genesis by Henry Kissinger, Craig Mundie, and Eric Schmidt
The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher
Co-Intelligence by @emollick.bsky.social
13/19
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 1)
Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake
Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac by Mark Blake
Careless People by @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social
The Allure of the Multiverse by @phalpern.bsky.social
12/19
Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake
Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac by Mark Blake
Careless People by @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social
The Allure of the Multiverse by @phalpern.bsky.social
12/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in general nonfiction (part 1)
Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake
Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac by Mark Blake
Careless People by @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social
The Allure of the Multiverse by @phalpern.bsky.social
12/19
Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd by Mark Blake
Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac by Mark Blake
Careless People by @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social
The Allure of the Multiverse by @phalpern.bsky.social
12/19
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 3)
Active Measures by Thomas Rid @ridt.bsky.social
Democracy and War by Norbert Röttgen @nroettgen.bsky.social
US Naval Power in the 21st Century by Brent Droste Sadler
Sea Power by @admiralstav.bsky.social
11/19
Active Measures by Thomas Rid @ridt.bsky.social
Democracy and War by Norbert Röttgen @nroettgen.bsky.social
US Naval Power in the 21st Century by Brent Droste Sadler
Sea Power by @admiralstav.bsky.social
11/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 3)
Active Measures by Thomas Rid @ridt.bsky.social
Democracy and War by Norbert Röttgen @nroettgen.bsky.social
US Naval Power in the 21st Century by Brent Droste Sadler
Sea Power by @admiralstav.bsky.social
11/19
Active Measures by Thomas Rid @ridt.bsky.social
Democracy and War by Norbert Röttgen @nroettgen.bsky.social
US Naval Power in the 21st Century by Brent Droste Sadler
Sea Power by @admiralstav.bsky.social
11/19
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 2)
The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska
War and Power by @phillipsobrien.bsky.social
Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime by Eric O’Neill
The New Nuclear Age by Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social
10/19
The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska
War and Power by @phillipsobrien.bsky.social
Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime by Eric O’Neill
The New Nuclear Age by Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social
10/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 2)
The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska
War and Power by @phillipsobrien.bsky.social
Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime by Eric O’Neill
The New Nuclear Age by Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social
10/19
The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska
War and Power by @phillipsobrien.bsky.social
Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime by Eric O’Neill
The New Nuclear Age by Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social
10/19
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 1)
On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis
Spy Schools by Daniel Golden
Intelligence and Contemporary Conflict, edited by @matthefler.bsky.social
The Spy Archive by Dexter Ingram
9/19
On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis
Spy Schools by Daniel Golden
Intelligence and Contemporary Conflict, edited by @matthefler.bsky.social
The Spy Archive by Dexter Ingram
9/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in intelligence/national security (part 1)
On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis
Spy Schools by Daniel Golden
Intelligence and Contemporary Conflict, edited by @matthefler.bsky.social
The Spy Archive by Dexter Ingram
9/19
On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis
Spy Schools by Daniel Golden
Intelligence and Contemporary Conflict, edited by @matthefler.bsky.social
The Spy Archive by Dexter Ingram
9/19
Books I’ve read this year in US history (part 2)
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
A Country of Vast Designs by Robert W. Merry
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
What the Anti-Federalists Were For by Herbert Storing
8/19
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
A Country of Vast Designs by Robert W. Merry
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
What the Anti-Federalists Were For by Herbert Storing
8/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in US history (part 2)
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
A Country of Vast Designs by Robert W. Merry
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
What the Anti-Federalists Were For by Herbert Storing
8/19
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
A Country of Vast Designs by Robert W. Merry
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
What the Anti-Federalists Were For by Herbert Storing
8/19
Books I’ve read this year in US history (part 1)
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
Washington by Ron Chernow
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by CW Goodyear
Realities of American Foreign Policy by George Kennan
The Great Bridge by David McCullough
7/19
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
Washington by Ron Chernow
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by CW Goodyear
Realities of American Foreign Policy by George Kennan
The Great Bridge by David McCullough
7/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in US history (part 1)
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
Washington by Ron Chernow
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by CW Goodyear
Realities of American Foreign Policy by George Kennan
The Great Bridge by David McCullough
7/19
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
Washington by Ron Chernow
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by CW Goodyear
Realities of American Foreign Policy by George Kennan
The Great Bridge by David McCullough
7/19
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 5)
The War Below by Ernest Scheyder
On Tyranny by @TimothySnyder.bsky.social
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by @LauraInParis.bsky.social
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors by Hendrik Spruyt
The Prize by Daniel Yergin
6/19
The War Below by Ernest Scheyder
On Tyranny by @TimothySnyder.bsky.social
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by @LauraInParis.bsky.social
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors by Hendrik Spruyt
The Prize by Daniel Yergin
6/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 5)
The War Below by Ernest Scheyder
On Tyranny by @TimothySnyder.bsky.social
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by @LauraInParis.bsky.social
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors by Hendrik Spruyt
The Prize by Daniel Yergin
6/19
The War Below by Ernest Scheyder
On Tyranny by @TimothySnyder.bsky.social
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by @LauraInParis.bsky.social
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors by Hendrik Spruyt
The Prize by Daniel Yergin
6/19
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 4)
A Brief History of Finland by Matti Klinge
The Tragedy of Empire by Michael Kulikowski
Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret Macmillan
Chip War by Chris Miller
The Middle Kingdoms by Martyn Rady
5/19
A Brief History of Finland by Matti Klinge
The Tragedy of Empire by Michael Kulikowski
Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret Macmillan
Chip War by Chris Miller
The Middle Kingdoms by Martyn Rady
5/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 4)
A Brief History of Finland by Matti Klinge
The Tragedy of Empire by Michael Kulikowski
Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret Macmillan
Chip War by Chris Miller
The Middle Kingdoms by Martyn Rady
5/19
A Brief History of Finland by Matti Klinge
The Tragedy of Empire by Michael Kulikowski
Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret Macmillan
Chip War by Chris Miller
The Middle Kingdoms by Martyn Rady
5/19
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 3)
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow
The Peaceable Kingdom? by Phil Gurski @BorealisSavis.bsky.social
Fury and Ice: Greenland, the United States and Germany in World War II by @peterharmsen.bsky.social
4/19
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow
The Peaceable Kingdom? by Phil Gurski @BorealisSavis.bsky.social
Fury and Ice: Greenland, the United States and Germany in World War II by @peterharmsen.bsky.social
4/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 3)
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow
The Peaceable Kingdom? by Phil Gurski @BorealisSavis.bsky.social
Fury and Ice: Greenland, the United States and Germany in World War II by @peterharmsen.bsky.social
4/19
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow
The Peaceable Kingdom? by Phil Gurski @BorealisSavis.bsky.social
Fury and Ice: Greenland, the United States and Germany in World War II by @peterharmsen.bsky.social
4/19
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 2)
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by @gideondefoe.bsky.social
House of Huawei by Eva Dou
Cicero by Anthony Everitt
The Story of Egypt by Joann Fletcher
Sweden, the Swastika and Stalin by John Gilmour
3/19
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by @gideondefoe.bsky.social
House of Huawei by Eva Dou
Cicero by Anthony Everitt
The Story of Egypt by Joann Fletcher
Sweden, the Swastika and Stalin by John Gilmour
3/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 2)
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by @gideondefoe.bsky.social
House of Huawei by Eva Dou
Cicero by Anthony Everitt
The Story of Egypt by Joann Fletcher
Sweden, the Swastika and Stalin by John Gilmour
3/19
An Atlas of Extinct Countries by @gideondefoe.bsky.social
House of Huawei by Eva Dou
Cicero by Anthony Everitt
The Story of Egypt by Joann Fletcher
Sweden, the Swastika and Stalin by John Gilmour
3/19
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 1)
Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson
A Brief History of Japan by Jonathan Clements
A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements
The Ends of the World by @peterbrannen.Baku.social
Ibn Saud by Michael Darlow and Barbara Bray
2/19
Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson
A Brief History of Japan by Jonathan Clements
A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements
The Ends of the World by @peterbrannen.Baku.social
Ibn Saud by Michael Darlow and Barbara Bray
2/19
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Books I’ve read this year in world history (part 1)
Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson
A Brief History of Japan by Jonathan Clements
A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements
The Ends of the World by @peterbrannen.Baku.social
Ibn Saud by Michael Darlow and Barbara Bray
2/19
Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson
A Brief History of Japan by Jonathan Clements
A Brief History of the Vikings by Jonathan Clements
The Ends of the World by @peterbrannen.Baku.social
Ibn Saud by Michael Darlow and Barbara Bray
2/19