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Former CIA Officer Peter Sichel Critiques U.S. Foreign Policy

4/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Peter Sichel, a former CIA officer and Holocaust survivor, is the subject of The Last Spy.
Directed by Katharina Otto-Bernstein, the film highlights his view of U.S. foreign policy in Iran, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
Sichel served as the CIA's first station chief in Berlin and criticized agency operations that caused lives to be lost.
After retiring in 1960, he transitioned to a successful wine business.

History

Historical Context

In the early 1960s, the CIA's covert operations during the Cold War, particularly in Iran and Guatemala, faced intense scrutiny. Peter Sichel, the agency's first Berlin station chief, later criticized these actions, which contributed to political upheaval and loss of life. His reflections in "The Last Spy" highlight the enduring implications of U.S. foreign policy decisions on intelligence ethics and accountability.

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Story summary

Peter Sichel, a former CIA officer and Holocaust survivor, is the subject of The Last Spy.
Directed by Katharina Otto-Bernstein, the film highlights his view of U.S. foreign policy in Iran, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
Sichel served as the CIA's first station chief in Berlin and criticized agency operations that caused lives to be lost.
After retiring in 1960, he transitioned to a successful wine business.

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