Sexpionage and how foreign spies use intimacy to steal secrets

<p>Sex for secrets. In an age dominated by digital surveillance, human desire remains a vulnerability. Foreign intelligence agencies are still using intimacy as a tool for gathering information. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/02/26/how-foreign-spies-infiltrate-america/88507053007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Is there a way to protect national security secrets from sexpionage?</a> If trained officials with security clearances can be compromised in this way, how safe are our secrets? USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard joins The Excerpt for a look at the world of spies and honey traps.&nbsp;</p><p>Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Episode transcript&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/26/sexpionage-is-a-hidden-threat-to-us-security-the-excerpt/88865823007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>