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Flinn TalksAuthor: Flinn Foundation
Interviews with Flinn Scholars about their careers and lives. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Sara Castro on Her Journey Through the International Defense Community | Alumni Hour Interview
Wednesday, 25 March, 2026
In this Alumni Hour conversation, Sara Zervos Knutson (’87) speaks with Sara Castro, Ph.D. (’95), about her path from Flinn Scholar at Arizona State University to a career at the intersection of intelligence, academia, and national security.Sara began her journey with early ambitions in journalism before a pivotal decision to study Chinese reshaped her career toward international relations and intelligence analysis. She went on to serve as a CIA analyst, supporting policymakers through rigorous evaluation of evidence, before pursuing a PhD to examine deeper questions about Chinese ideology and U.S.–China relations. Today, she teaches military officers, helping future leaders understand China on its own terms within an increasingly interdependent global system.In this interview, Sara discusses how language study shaped her career path, what intelligence analysis actually entails behind the scenes, and why teaching strategic thinking requires resisting assumptions and bias.Interview Highlights:0:00 — Early career aspirations and education2:37 — Learning Chinese and changing career direction5:43 — Experiencing the legacy of early PRC systems in China15:06 — Becoming a CIA analyst and dispelling common myths25:25 — Evaluation and promotion at the CIA27:48 — Analyst briefing and preparation techniques31:52 — Leaving the CIA for academic research33:57 — Insights from the Dixie Mission and U.S.–China relations41:10 — Teaching China to military officers44:34 — Xi Jinping, ideology, and grand strategy48:00 — Global interdependence and global enemies50:52 — Shared human values across cultures52:13 — Choosing discomfort as a path to growth
