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COMING EVENTS FROM THE LATEST WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE NOTES - Use month index in right column to jump to current month:


THIS IS A LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS in 2024

Prior events in 2024 are HERE

Programs Offered by External Organizations are HERE

Icon CalendarNovember 2024

Friday, 8 November 2024, 11:30am - In-Person, South San Francisco, CA - AFIO San Francisco Chapter Lunch and Presentation by LTC Tomio "Tomes" Toyama, Army Reserve Foreign Area Officer (FAO)

AFIO BulletLTC Tomio "Tomes" Toyama will discuss his most recent deployment to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan while serving in the Office of the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) where he served as the Deputy Director for Operations and lead Training Advisor to the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF). USSC is a unique US-led multinational organization staffed primarily by military personnel serving under State Department foreign relations authorities and funding. 

Time: 11:30am no-host cocktails; 12 noon meeting start
Location: Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco
RSVP with Eventbrite here 
Questions? Contact Mariko Kawaguchi, Board Secretary, AFIO SF Chapter at afiosf@aol.com.

Saturday, 9 November 2024, 10 AM-4 PM – Washington, DC – 18th Annual Parade of Trabants – In-Person International Spy Museum Program

International Spy Museum eventsJoin for the only Trabant Rally in the United States. Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall at this festive gathering of the quintessential Cold War car—the Trabant. Despite their questionable performance and smoky two-stroke engines, these little cars are now affectionately regarded as a symbol of East Germany and the fall of Communism. Trabants are a rarity here, but on November 9 some of the finest examples in the US will chug their way to the International Spy Museum to celebrate our Eighteenth Annual Parade of Trabants. Drop in to view the famous "cardboard" cars and other vintage Cold War autos, vans, scooters, and cycles all very far from their original homes. You can even vote on your favorite! The vintage vehicles will be parked around the Museum on L'Enfant Plaza, SW. While the cars are on display, their owners will be on hand to answer queries about how they keep their cars "humming" along. Experts can answer your questions about the Cold War, Communism, and how these cars represent that time too. Perhaps, you'll be lucky enough to watch the "Wall" fall all over again. Try your hand at graffiti Berlin-style or see if you can fit into the tiny spaces like those escaping from East Berlin did, all while the Alte Kameraden German Band provides festive music. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Wednesday, 10 November 2024, noon – 1 PM – Washington, DC – Spying in Plain Sight: Inside the Military Liaison Missions in East and West Germany with Historian Bernd von Kostka– Virtual International Spy Museum Program

International Spy Museum eventsAfter World War II, the American, British, French, and Soviet armies occupying Germany exchanged military liaison missions to sort out minor issues among the armies on the ground. To enable this work, the missions were allowed to travel all over Germany. As the Cold War heated up, however, this congenial plan took on a very different meaning and evolved into a license to spy. American, British, and French liaison missions roamed East Germany photographing the latest Soviet and East German military equipment, while the Soviet missions did much the same thing in West Germany. These operations were daring and dangerous cat and mouse affairs which saw two western officers killed and many other close escapes and confrontations. Join us for a closer look at these liaison missions and the intriguing protocols and equipment supporting them. Historian Bernd von Kostka, curator at the Allied Museum in Berlin and co-author of Capital of Spies: Intelligence Agencies in Berlin During the Cold War, will give us a look at an incredible vehicle in the Allied Museum's collection related to the missions. Von Kostka will showcase the Allied Museum's Mercedes-Benz G Wagen which was used in the early 1980s by all three Western liaison missions in East Germany. These vehicles were frequently modified, so they could cope with the harsh demands of the reconnaissance tours. Joel Anderson, who was a Tour Officer at the United States Military Liaison Mission from 1988 to 1991, will share some of his personal experiences. In addition, former Spy Museum historian and curator, Dr. Mark Stout, will share related artifacts from the Spy Museum's collection. This program is in collaboration with the Allied Museum. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Thursday, 21 November 2024 11:30 AM – Colorado Springs - The AFIO Rocky Mountain Chapter hosts Dr. Jim Steiner, former CIA, on "Intelligence Support to the NSC in deciding to go to war: Kosovo, 9/11, and today"

AFIO BulletAbstract: A brief overview of the NSC process and the traditional approach to intelligence support to the President within this process. Kosovo case study. How 9/11 changed everything. The 9/15 NSC meeting at Camp David. Intelligence support to the NSC today. What current threats could lead us into combat and the role of intelligence.
Bio: Jim Steiner has over 50 years of experience conducting, leading, managing, evaluating, and teaching intelligence. Following an overseas tour as a naval intelligence officer, Dr. Steiner joined the CIA in 1972 and served there for more than 33 years. For the first two decades, he focused on Soviet defense and economic issues, rising through the analytic and management ranks. He was promoted into the Senior Intelligence Service in 1992.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Dr. Steiner moved to the Department of State as Special Advisor to the Ambassador at Large for Russia where he provided intelligence support and was the Ambassador's Deputy for defense conversion and crime and corruption.
Dr. Steiner then returned to CIA Headquarters where he took on a series of increasingly senior line and staff positions, including Deputy Director for Crime and Narcotics. In his final line position, he was Director of the Office of Transnational Issues which covers global energy and economic security, corruption, illicit migration, illicit financial activity, foreign denial and deception programs, societal and humanitarian conflicts, and the medical and psychiatric analysis of foreign leaders. His office also conducted long-term analyses on key issues including the future of warfare, globalization, terrorism, democracy, and demographics.
Dr. Steiner completed his CIA career as the Agency's Officer in Residence at Georgetown University. He was awarded the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal upon his retirement in 2006. Dr. Steiner taught intelligence analysis at the FBI Academy before moving to Albany and then taught graduate courses in intelligence at SUNY for fifteen years.
Jim attended Georgetown University from 1964-1968 earning a B.S. Foreign Service with a concentration in International Economics. He received an M.A. in Economics in 1969 and a Ph.D. in Economics in 1977. After college, Jim served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy at SOUTHCOM in Panama.

For location and other information, contact Anthony Leto at rmcafio@gmail.com.

Saturday, 23 November 2024, 10 AM – Washington, DC – Members-Only Event: Virginia Hall Exhibit – In-Person International Spy Museum Program

International Spy Museum eventsAmong the many women who served in the SOE & OSS, Virginia Hall stands out as one of the most distinguished. She not only created a sophisticated spy network but also organized and armed French commandos deep behind enemy lines. We've recently redesigned a key exhibit in our "Spies & Spymasters" gallery to showcase Hall's incredible story with compelling artifacts from our collection. Members can join for this exclusive look at Virginia Hall and the process of how updates are made to our permanent exhibit. Hannah Saloio, SPY's Exhibits Developer, will lead a formal discussion in the Museum's Theater from 10 to 10:30 AM that will then be followed by coffee and pastries and an opportunity to chat with members of the Spy Museum team. This event is free of charge and open exclusively to Spy Museum members. You can join SPY as a member online or by calling 202.654.2840. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Icon CalendarDecember 2024


UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2025 WILL BE HERE WHEN AVAILABLE

30 Aug - 8 Sep 2025 - Mediterranean Cruise - Spies, Lies & Nukes announce Espionage on the High Seas! Plan NOW to join the late-summer 2025 cruise.

Instead of their traditional Spies, Lies & Nukes conference in 2024, Valerie Plame and other intelligence colleagues are thrilled to introduce an exciting variation for 2025: Spies at Sea. A combined cruise and conference through the breathtaking Mediterranean, from August 30 to September 8, 2025! See brochure here.

What to Expect:
•Intimate Conference Setting: Enjoy the same close-knit, engaging environment you've come to expect, with unparalleled access to our expert speakers.
• Exclusive Shore Excursions: Explore clandestine meeting spots, delve into espionage history, and more on excursions EXCLUSIVE TO OUR GROUP.
• Seminars at Sea: Participate in lectures and presentations led by Valerie Plame and other top intelligence professionals, all the while cruising through some of the Mediterranean's most iconic destinations.
• Special Events: Enjoy exclusive cocktail receptions, surprise activities, and one-on-one conversation time.

Exclusive Spies, Lies & Nukes Itinerary Highlights:
Barcelona, Spain: Begin your adventure in this vibrant city.
Valletta, Malta: Walk through history with guided tours led by espionage experts who will lift the veil on area spy stories and meeting sites.
Mykonos, Greece: Discover the charm and beauty of this picturesque island.
Ephesus, Turkey: Explore ancient ruins with a private guide and enjoy a unique group lunch, all while learning about intelligence activities that took place at each spot.
Santorini, Greece: Experience the iconic beauty of Santorini with endless photographic opportunities.
Naples, Italy: Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant and an exclusive walking tour with a private guide while learning a few spy secrets from Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.

We've secured a discounted rate that includes your stateroom, meals, classic beverage package, wi-fi, exclusive excursions, and all conference activities. These cabins will get booked quickly, so don't wait—book now and get $100 off!

This is your chance to combine professional enrichment with an unforgettable travel experience. Network with like-minded professionals, gain exclusive insights, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Secure Your Spot Today


Programs Offered by External Organizations


The National Cryptologic Foundation VIRTUAL PROGRAMS

NCF Virtual Education Programs

Details on the Virtual Education Programs of the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation are available here
Other NCF Events can be found here on NCF website here, and CCH website here.


30 Apr - 02 May 2025 – In Person – Cryptologic History Symposium - National Cryptological Foundation and NSA Center for Cryptologic History, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland

Since 1990, the Cryptologic History Symposium has served as an opportunity to present historical scholarship found in unclassified and declassified cryptologic records and engage in discussion about their significance to history. The event is an occasion for historians and those interested in history to gather for reflection and debate on relevant and important topics from the cryptologic past. Regular speakers include historians from CCH, the Intelligence Community, the defense establishment, the military services, scholars from American and international academic institutions, veterans of the cryptologic profession, graduate and undergraduate students, and noted authors. Past symposia have featured scholarship that set out new ways to consider our cryptologic heritage. The conference provides many opportunities to interact with leading historians and other experts. The mix of practitioners, scholars, and interested observers guarantees a lively debate that promotes an enhanced appreciation for past events and their applicability to current and future issues. More information and registration here.


NCF #CYBERCHATS - FOR THE K-12 COMMUNITY

Our #CyberChats are designed to promote cybersecurity education and inspire students to pursue a cyber-related career. NCF #CyberChats are hosted in our Nepris online classroom and also via Zoom. The Chats feature a wide variety of cyber experts and professionals, some who are NCF members. These dedicated professionals share their experiences, insights, advice, and resources with students, parents, and teachers. Chats on a specific topic are often specifically requested by classrooms across the U.S.


NCF CRYPTOLOGIC PROGRAMS (VIRTUAL)

The NCF hosts quarterly cryptologic programs, as well as an annual Membership Meeting & Symposium featuring guest speakers. We also partner with the NSA's Center for Cryptologic History in promoting various programs & lectures. During our Anniversary year (April 2021-April 2022), we are hosting a variety of additional special programs and talks, such as our kickoff event in April 2021 that featured a panel of former NSA directors.

In 2021, we began hosting virtual programs via Zoom. However, prior to that our programs were in person. If you are interested in seeing recaps and photos from those prior events, please visit the Quarterly Programs page or Membership Meeting & Symposium page.


NCF PARTNER PROGRAMS

The NCF's Education Program hosts Cybersecurity Events with the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), as well as other community partners.The programs highlight relevant cybersecurity topics and feature experts in the field. These events take multiple forms, to include webinars and special events at locations around the National Capitol Region.


NCF PARTICIPATION

Just as the NCF enjoys interviewing professionals and experts for our #CyberChats and Cryptologic Programs, our staff likewise enjoys the opportunity to be interviewed for other organizations' programs or podcasts regarding their experience and knowledge. 


For more information on in-person and virtual activities of the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation (cryptologicfoundation.org) [NCF], explore their website at https://cryptologicfoundation.org/



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