Weekly Intelligence Notes

08 - 14 January 2025
(Issue 02)

CONTENTS

Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)

General Interests

• Italian spy chief’s sudden resignation described as ‘seismic development’ - IntelNews, 13 Jan 25
• The CIA’s first CTO, Nand Mulchandani, prepares for the Trump administration - Tech Crunch, 13 Jan 25
• Trump's Pick for Top Pentagon Healthcare Job Was Fired by CIA - SpyTalk, 12 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• New intelligence suggests ‘Havana Syndrome’ possibly caused by foreign weapon; overall assessment remains ‘very unlikely’ - CNN, 10 Jan 24 (Member Contribution)
• Russian spy who hoarded surveillance gadgets in English hotel boasted of being like James Bond character Q, court hears - Sky News, 09 Jan 25
• The FSB town where officers lived in luxury… and fled in haste - The Times, 10 Jan 25
• Leaked documents expose Asma al-Assad’s alleged ties to British intelligence before marriage - Turkiye Today, 08 Jan 25

Special Collections

• Counterespionage - Arrests, convictions, expulsions, and more...
• Cyberespionage - New actors, collection and sabotage ops, countermeasures, policy, other...
• Covert Action - Influence ops, assassinations, sabotage, intel agency paramilitary action, countermeasures, etcetera...

• Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents, as of December 2024 - National Intelligence Council, 10 Jan 25
• Analysis on the Infiltration Tactics Concerning China’s Espionage Cases - Taiwan's National Security Bureau, 13 Jan 25
• Q&A: The CIA chief on how the U.S. intel community handled Russia, China and Mideast - NPR, 10 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Neurodiversity in National Security (43 mins) - Intelligence Jumpstart Podcast, 08 Jan 25
• 60 Years of UK De fence Intelligence: The Legacy and Future - Grey Dynamics, 12 Jan 25
• Trump Transition at Spy Agencies Actually Going Smoothly - SpyTalk, 08 Jan 25
• Tracking Deployment of Russian Surveillance Technologies in Central Asia and Latin America - Recorded Future, 07 Jan 25

• Countering Russia - with Former Estonian Internal Security Service Chief Arnold Sinistral - LSM, 11 Jan 25
• Trump’s Incoming Counterintelligence Crisis - by Former NSA Counterintelligence Officer John Schindler, TOP SECRET UMBRA, 09 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Welcome to the Gray Zone and the Future of Great Power Competition - by Former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts - Cipher Brief, 08 Jan 25
• How Ukraine’s New Push in Kurtis Can Change the War - by Former CIA Executive and U.S. President’s Senior Representative on Intelligence and Security Glenn Corn - Cipher Brief, 07 Jan 25
• Russia and China Deep Sea Sabotage Continues...(30 mins) - with Former Canadian Security Intelligence Service Officer Neil Bison - Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up Podcast, 11 Jan 25
• 20+ Years in the CIA and 16 years as CSO of Microsoft (145 mins) - with Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Howard - The Team House, 01 Jan 25

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

• The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The Untold Story of the International Spy Network by Richard Kerby (07 Jan 25)


• The Story of BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War: Intelligence Gathering Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany by Andrew Long (25 Sep 24)


• The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames Kai Bird (20 May 14)

True Intelligence Matters on Film: The Women Of Wartime Canadian Espionage - Penny McCain (2019)

Intelligence in Pop Culture: Spy Games [Official Lyric Video] - The Spy Collection, 08 Dec 24

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

Walking Tours: "The Spies of Embassy Row" and "Spies of Georgetown" - Washington, DC. (Sundays, Dates/Times Vary)

Obituaries

Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

• Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals.
• Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programmer at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programmer: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
• Information Sought: 1969 "KGB Wanted List"
• Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks help establishing YouTube channel focused on Russian and Chinese influence operations.
• Internship Opportunity: International private intelligence company accepting applications for analyst internship program.
• Call for Information: Child of former CIA Como Officer Walter E. McLeod seeks information about father's life and work.
• Call for Intelligence Studies Course Syllabi: Florida International University adjunct professor tasked with creating a new course is in search of existing syllabi to help build new content.
• Call for Interviews: Documentary film executive seeking extraordinary, true story material.
• Call for Online Survey Participants: Institution Review Board approved research project from Northeastern University on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts.
• Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era.

Employment

• Assistant Professor in Intelligence and National Security Studies - University of Texas, El Paso
• 2 Assistant Professors in Intelligence and Security - Institute of Security and Global Affairs, University of Leiden, Netherlands
• Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies - Mercyhurst University - Erie, Pennsylvania
• Associate Professor and Chair of National Security - University of New Haven, Connecticut
• Wanted: Former intelligence officers to lead spy-themed walking tours in Washington, D.C. - Spyher Tours
• Assistant Professor - Intelligence Studies - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Arizona

Upcoming AFIO Events

• 14 Jan 25, 0900-1130 (PST) - Presentation by Former Secretary of Defense General Jim Matti - In Person - San Francisco - AFIO San Francisco Chapter
• Saturday, 8 February 2025, 11:30 a.m. - Indialantic, FL - AFIO Florida Satellite Chapter hears David Hunt, former senior CIA Operations Officer, on "Intelligence Threats from the French to the Chinese and More
• Friday, 21 February 2025, 1100 - 1400 - McLean, VA - AFIO National Spring Luncheon - Registration has Opened

Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

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

See the AFIO Calendar of Events for scheduling further in the future.

DISCLAIMER

The Weekly Intelligence Notes include a wide range of articles and commentary to inform our readers. It also includes several paid advertisements. Views expressed in articles and advertising are those of the authors and advertisers; they do not reflect AFIO's support or endorsement. Notices about non-AFIO events do not reflect AFIO endorsement or recommendation.

AFIO does not vet or endorse research inquiries, career announcements, or job offers. Reasonable-sounding inquiries and career offerings are published as a service to readers, who should exercise caution and good judgment when responding and independently verify the source before supplying resumes, career data, or personal information.

Registration has opened

AFIO National Spring Luncheon
Friday, 21 February 2025, 1100 - 1400

FEATURING:

The History of Intelligence - A Panel Discussion Panelists: CIA's Chief Historian David Robarge, National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds		Joby Warrick Author and a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Post

Schedule:

1030 - Check-in for preregistered attendees (no walk-ins)
1100 - Panel on Intelligence History. Panelists: CIA's Chief Historian David Robarge,
National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and
OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds.
12-1300 - Lunch
1300 - Joby Warrick, Author and a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Post, discussing current events in Syria and his 2021 book "Red Line: The Unraveling of Syria and the Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World."
1400 - Event ends

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, McLean-Tysons, VA
1960 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102

Registration and Cost:
Registration and credit card payment required before event. Lunch is $60 (members) or $75 (guests, Subscribers).

Registration opened and is available while space remains. Registration closes 1700 hours, Friday, 16 Feb 2025 or earlier when all seats taken.

Cancellations: No refund for cancellations after 9 Feb 2025. Payment for reservations canceled 10 to 16 Feb 2025 will be converted to donations to AFIO. Payments for reservations canceled after 16 Feb 2025 are forfeit; the meal will have been guaranteed at the hotel per the contract.
Attendees must be AFIO members or accompanied by a member. For security reasons, no late or last-minute substitutions.

Please direct any questions to events@afio.com

Worth Viewing and Remembering....

'Every Star's a Life'
The personal stories behind the stars on the CIA Memorial Wall

This nine-minute PBS NewsHour video about the Stars on the CIA Wall is not only about former Chief of Station Richard Welch, assassinated in Greece in December 1975, but also tells the stories of a number of other fallen officers, including Jennifer Matthews, Matt Gannon, and others. Features CIA Director William Burns. Poignantly captures the impact of these loses, even decades later, on families and colleagues.
The program was published 6 August 2024 and available here or click image above.

AFIO Scholarship Applications Available 1 February 2025
Five Undergraduate and Five Gradudate Scholarships at $5,000 EACH.

Do not let budget limitations stop you from reaching your potential. Let AFIO offset some of your education costs. Applications for 2025 can be sent to us online starting 1 February 2025 until 1 June 2025. No applications will be accepted after midnight 1 June 2025.

View scholarship requirements here.

AFIO Exclusive Content

AFIO NOW

Patrick O'Donnell
Military Historian and Author
on his new book, released 07 May 24:

The Vanquished
The Untold Story of Lincoln's Special Forces, the Manhunt for Cosby's Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America's Special Operations

Recorded: 03 September 2024
Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes
Duration: 32 minutes.

"The Vanquished" can be purchased here.

WIN Short-form Book Review
(January 2025)

Jennifer Ewbank
Former Deputy Director of CIA
for Digital Innovation

reviews

Subversion: From Covert
Operations to Cyber Conflict

by Lennard Matchmaker
(March 2024)

Access review here.

AFIO Now Podcasts Presents:

Joseph Keogh PhD,
former CIA S&T Executive and Disguise Expert
on his new book:

Creating Mission Impact: Essential Tradecraft for Innovators at CIA and Beyond

co-authored with Joe Ball and Greg Moore.

Recorded: 24 Oct 24
Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former Senior CIA Ops Officer
Interviewer: Christopher J. Parker, former CIA Officer.

The audio-only version of AFIO Now, great for listening to in your car or while accomplishing other tasks, can be downloaded or streamed on any of the following podcast platforms by searching for "AFIO":

AFIO Now interviews, video and audio-only forms, in 2024 and 2023, are sponsored by
Northwest Financial Advisors

Click here to watch interviews in the AFIO Now series released in 2024.
View interviews from 2020 to 2023 here.
Watch public-release interviews on our YouTube channel or listen to them in podcast form at the links in the section above.

Log into the member-only area for member-only features.

Spyher Winter Savings
Thru 15 March 2025
$15 off and 2-for-1 deals
Book now on Eventbrite

Spyher Gift Cards
Give the Gift of an Exclusive Spy History Tour with a Former Intelligence Officer
Purchase an e-gift card online at https://spyher.co/gift-card/
For a physical gift card - a perfect stocking stuffer - contact rosanna@spyher.co

Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)

General Interests

Italian spy chief’s sudden resignation described as ‘seismic development’ - IntelNews, 13 Jan 25

The sudden resignation of Italy’s spy chief last week was described by some news outlets as a “seismic development” in the domestic political scene of the Group of Seven (G7) member state. In May 2021, the then-Prime Minister Mario Drag hi appointed Elisabetta Bellini to lead the Department of Information for Security (DIS). The widely respected career diplomat thus became the first woman to lead an Italian intelligence agency. Previously Bellini held positions in the Directorate-General for Political Affairs and Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy. She also served in several Italian embassies in Europe, notably Bratislava and Vienna. Bellini is commonly viewed as a career civil servant who has successfully served under various political administrations, without expressing any political preferences. Throughout her career, Bellini has refused to espouse partisan political views, which has only increased the respect with which she is viewed. (Access here.)

The CIA’s first CTO, Nan Multichannel, prepares for the Trump administration - Tech Crunch, 13 Jan 25

In April 2022, the CIA decided to swipe right on Nan Multichannel, appointing him as its first-ever chief technology officer. It was a good look for the CIA. Multichannel, who previously served as the CTO and acting director of the Defense Department’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, is something of a rare breed in Washington. Before becoming a government employee, he co-founded and was CEO at a string of Bay Area outfits with almost comically Silicon Valley-esque names: Oblix, Determina, OpenDNS, and ScaleXtreme, each of them snapped up by a tech titan (Oracle, VMware, Cisco, and Citrix, respectively). Multichannel could soon be encircled by fellow founders and technologists as the Trump administration sweeps into Washington with powerful advisors like Elon Musk in tow. (Access here.)

Trump's Pick for Top Pentagon Healthcare Job Was Fired by CIA - SpyTalk, 12 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

Keith Bass, President-elect Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon’s sprawling healthcare systems, was effectively fired by the CIA in 2021 for his poor management of the spy agency’s Office of Medical Services. Bass was “pushed out,” two authoritative sources told SpyTalk, after fumbling the agency’s handling of Havana Syndrome, which the government calls Anomalous Health Incidents, or AHI. One of the sources familiar with Bass’s removal, speaking on terms of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, said the retired former naval officer “was removed” by CIA Director Bill Burns, “not for misconduct,” but because “OMS was being poorly run, and AHI just flushed it out." Numerous media reports in 2021 said the OMS chief was “pushed out” without identifying Bass by name. (Access here.)

New intelligence suggests ‘Havana Syndrome’ possibly caused by foreign weapon; overall assessment remains ‘very unlikely’ - CNN, 10 Jan 24 (Member Contribution)

New intelligence has led two US intelligence agencies to conclude that it’s possible a small number of mysterious health ailments colloquially termed as Havana Syndrome impacting spies, soldiers and diplomats around the world may have been caused by a “novel weapon” wielded by a foreign actor, according to intelligence officials and a new unclassified summary report released on Friday. However, the two agencies are in the minority and the broader intelligence community assessment remains that it is very unlikely that the symptoms were caused by a foreign actor, according to the unclassified report summary issued Friday — even as an official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence emphasized that analysts cannot “rule out” the possibility in some small number of cases. (Full article here.)

Russian spy who hoarded surveillance gadgets in English hotel boasted of being like James Bond character Q, court hears - Sky News, 09 Jan 25

A Russian spy was living in a "typical seaside hotel" on the English coast crammed full of electronic surveillance equipment, a court has heard. Orlin Roussev boasted to his controller that he was becoming like the James Bond character "Q" as he prepared his spying "toys" for kidnap and surveillance operations across Europe. He is said to have taken instructions from a handler called Jan Marsalek, who is wanted in connection with a £1.6bn tech fraud linked to a company called Wirecard. Roussev, 46, a Bulgarian national, has pleaded guilty to running a spy ring on behalf of the Russians, but three other members of the group deny the charges. (Full article here.)

The FSB town where officers lived in luxury… and fled in haste - The Times, 10 Jan 25

In the western Russian town of Sudzha there is a house on the hill known among locals as Little Monaco. Built around four years ago, the residential complex is far more grand than any other around. There is an on-site restaurant. A neighbouring sports centre has a boxing ring and swimming pool. Until last August, Little Monaco was home to more than 150 FSB officers — working for Russia’s internal security service — and their families. Fleeing the flash flood of Ukrainian troops pouring in from across the Kurtis border, they left in haste, taking with them only their most essential possessions. (Access here.)

Leaked documents expose Asma al-Assad’s alleged ties to British intelligence before marriage - Turkiye Today, 08 Jan 25

Recent documents suggest that Asma al-Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, had alleged connections to British intelligence agencies before her marriage and played a significant role in shaping internal and external Syrian policies. The documents, reportedly released by Syrian journalist Nizar Nayouf, and media outlet Watanserb reveal details of Asma al-Assad’s alleged ties to both MI5 and MI6, her professional background in finance, and her suspected involvement in intelligence operations. The documents quickly dominated the social media. However, allegedly leaked documents remained unverified.(Access here.)

Special Collections

Counterespionage - Recent arrests, convictions, expulsions, and more...

• German police investigate suspected Russian espionage at military bases - Reuters, 13 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Taiwan indicted 64 Chinese spies last year, a big increase, including current and former military personnel - Jiji Press, 12 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Chinese man who filmed South Korean intelligence agency with drone causes controversy over espionage charges, saying "it is difficult to punish under current law" - Kangnam Times, 09 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Tehran: Swiss national held on espionage charges 'commits suicide' in Iranian prison - Euro News, 09 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Foreign spies use pretense of collecting phone numbers and accounts for espionage communication: MSS - Global Times, 07 Jan 25
• Germany: Three indicted on charges of spying for China - Deutsche Welle, 09 Jan 25

Cyberespionage - New actors, collection and sabotage ops, countermeasures, policy, other...

• Outgoing FBI director calls China and its cyber program the ‘defining threat of our generation’ - Stars and Stripes, 13 Jan 25
• China's Cyberespionage (35 mins) - Newt's World Podcast, 12 Jan 25
• Chinese cyber-spies peek over shoulder of officials probing real-estate deals near American military bases - The Register, 10 Jan 25
• Cyber Espionage in the Modern World - SpyCast, 08 Jan 24
• Russia has special cyber-unit targeting Poland, says Polish digital affairs minister - AA, 08 Jan 25

Covert Action - Influence ops, assassinations, sabotage, intel agency paramilitary action, countermeasures, etcetera...

• Oil tanker sabotage crew were poised to cut more cables when caught, Finland says - Reuters, 13 Jan 25
• North Korea incites anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea over treated water... Orders spy organization to "push Japan-South Korea conflict to an irreversible state" - Yomiuri Shimbun, 09 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Organised Crime in Covert Action: A Growing Trend - Grey Dynamics, 08 Jan 25
• Finland finds Russian ‘spy’ ship anchor as subsea cable company demands ship’s seizure for compensation - The Record, 07 Jan 25
• Turkish Intelligence operative admits to smuggling arms to jihadists in Syria, reveals ties to al-Sharaa’s HTS - Nordic Monitor, 08 Jan 25
• Poland Identifies Russian Group That Aims to Sway Elections, Deputy PM Says - US News and World Report, 10 Jan 25

Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

Updated Assessment of Anomalous Health Incidents, as of December 2024 - National Intelligence Council, 10 Jan 25

In line with the 2023 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), most of the IC continues to assess that it is “very unlikely” a foreign adversary is responsible for the events reported as possible anomalous health incidents (AHIs). IC components base this overall judgment on updates to the three lines of inquiry identified in the 2023 ICA: (1) whether collection either indicates a foreign actor was seeking to target US Government (USG) personnel who reported events as possible AHIs or links a foreign actor to events reported as possible AHIs; (2) the feasibility and existence of a deliberate causal mechanism, such as a pulsed RF energy weapon or prototype device, that could cause the types of symptoms and sensory phenomena reported as possible AHIs; and (3) the state and reliability of medical analysis on whether at least some of the USG personnel reporting AHIs had a common set of physical injuries. (Access here.)

Analysis on the Infiltration Tactics Concerning China’s Espionage Cases - Taiwan's National Security Bureau, 13 Jan 25

China has continued to employ diverse channels and tactics to infiltrate various sectors in Taiwan, recruit Taiwanese nationals to assist in developing organizations, or obtain sensitive intelligence from the Taiwanese government. To prevent China from recruiting internal co-optees in Taiwan, the national security intelligence community has implemented joint countermeasures and investigations to fully provide its support to the detection and prosecution of China’s espionage cases. Additionally, China’s infiltration channels and tactics in Taiwan have also been comprehensively analyzed and disclosed as follows. (Access here.)

Q&A: The CIA chief on how the U.S. intel community handled Russia, China and Mideast - NPR, 10 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

In the two short years since Chen Yixin’s appointment as Ministry of State Security (MSS) minister, he has modernized the organization’s approach to counterintelligence by leveraging social media, the public, and diplomatic relations. He has also overseen the expansion of intelligence relationships with other nations’ security services. Chen’s honing of the MSS approach to counterespionage, especially inside China, is fueling suspicions of foreigners and foreign interactions and, as a result, may further stress already tense diplomatic relations, especially with Taiwan and the US. Chen has over forty years of experience in policy and government. He also has demonstrated ties with Xi Jinping and supports changes to the policies currently followed for state security. His main focuses in this role include combating corruption, improving security and counterintelligence mechanisms, and ensuring the national security of China today and for years to come. (Access here.)

Neurodiversity in National Security (43 mins) - Intelligence Jumpstart Podcast, 08 Jan 25

Jane DOE speaks with ODNI’s Susi Carpenter, an intelligence analyst and co-chair of ODNI’s Employees with Disabilities Employee Resource Group, about neurodiversity and the complexities of a neurodivergent diagnosis in the IC. They highlight the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals and the need for allyship. They explore the importance of valuing and accommodating neurodiversity in national security organizations and discuss the unique skills and advantages the neurodivergent brings to the workplace and the need for creating an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity. (Access here.)

60 Years of UK De fence Intelligence: The Legacy and Future - Grey Dynamics, 12 Jan 25

We live in a turbulent information environment characterized by untrustworthy information in various forms. These include not only written texts but also images and videos, each contributing to the challenge of discerning fact from fiction. However, disinformation and propaganda are not new phenomena; they have been part of human communication for millennia. What sets the current situation apart is the impact of digitalization, particularly through the internet and social media, which accelerates the spread of disinformation, allowing it to reach a global audience. More recently, artificial intelligence is becoming a significant player in this landscape. AI applications, such as large language models like ChatGPT, are likely to reshape how information is created, shared, and consumed. (Access here.)

Trump Transition at Spy Agencies Actually Going Smoothly - SpyTalk, 08 Jan 25

Although there could still be serious obstacles ahead, preparations to transfer control of key U.S. spy agencies from Biden administration appointees to the intended nominees of President-elect Donald Trump are moving forward smoothly, according to sources directly familiar with the transition process. Coming amid reports of hiccups in FBI background checks and the president-elect’s sensational foreign policy pronouncements at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, news of relative calm at the CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence seems noteworthy. (Full article here.)

Tracking Deployment of Russian Surveillance Technologies in Central Asia and Latin America - Recorded Future, 07 Jan 25

Several countries in Central Asia and Latin America almost certainly base their digital surveillance capabilities on Russia’s System for Operative Investigative Activities (SORM), indicating that Russian surveillance technology has proliferated in Russia’s near abroad and among its allies. Insikt Group identified evidence of at least eight SORM providers exporting to these regions, with at least fifteen telecommunications companies as likely customers. The largest Russian SORM providers like Citadel, Norsi-Trans, and Protei, export and participate in trade expositions across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, highlighting efforts to further expand globally. While these systems have legitimate security applications, the governments outlined in this report have a history of misusing surveillance capabilities , including repression of political opposition, journalists, and activists, without effective or independent oversight. SORM facilitates interception of a wide range of internet and telecommunications traffic by authorities without the knowledge of the service providers themselves, reducing transparency and oversight of surveillance operations and increasing opportunities for abuse. Companies operating in or looking to establish physical operations in these countries should assess surveillance risks and adopt privacy tools like encryption and VPNs –– to the extent permitted by local law –– to mitigate sensitive communications being intercepted. (Access here.)

Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
and Recent Endeavors)

Countering Russia - with Former Estonian Internal Security Service Chief Arnold Sinistral - LSM, 11 Jan 25

In this episode the center hosts Arnold Sinistral, the former Chief of the Estonian Internal Security Service. Sinistral began his career with the service in 1993 and ascended to the position of Chief in 2013. In the discussion, Sinistral delves into the inner workings of intelligence services, shedding light on Estonia's success in countering Russian intelligence operations – ranging from physical information gathering to attempts at fostering corruption, extremism, and terrorism within Estonia and the broader Baltic region. He also offers insights into the tactics, motivations, and sequences of events that underpin Russian recruitment efforts within targeted countries, culminating in the prosecution of individuals involved. (Access here.)

Trump’s Incoming Counterintelligence Crisis - by Former NSA Counterintelligence Officer John Schindler - TOP SECRET UMBRA, 09 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

Donald J. Trump returns to the White House in less than two weeks. While the second-term MAGA agenda is chock-full, with migration and the border in first place, national security is looming large, rightly so. There are far graver matters for the Departments of Defense and State to tackle starting Jan. 20 than whether the United States absorbs Greenland or Canada joins the union as our 51st state. Neither of which seems likely to happen, but serious conflict with China in Trump’s second term is much likelier than the public realizes. As I just explained over at the Washington Examiner, the Pentagon assesses that war with the People’s Republic of China by 2027 is probable, and we’re tracking to quite possibly lose it. Beijing’s top advantage in that conflict is intelligence, as I elaborated... (Access here.)

Welcome to the Gray Zone and the Future of Great Power Competition - by Former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts - Cipher Brief, 08 Jan 25

Ten thousand North Korean soldiers arrive in Russia to attempt to drive the Ukrainians from Russian soil, although North Korea isn’t at war with Ukraine. China conducts persistent and aggressive Coast Guard incursions into Taiwan’s territorial waters to attempt to extend and normalize control over the Taiwan Strait, while also trying to intimidate the Philippines to give up its presence in the Second Thomas Shoal. Russia, China, and Iran use cyber and disinformation operations to attempt to interfere in U.S. elections, a clear violation of U.S. sovereignty and political independence. Russia is conducting sabotage operations across Europe targeting critical infrastructure to destabilize NATO allies and disrupt their support for Ukraine. Pyongyang conducted 97 cyberattacks between 2017 and 2024 with total damage of around $3.6 billion. Welcome to the Gray Zone. The consequences of the military escalation of great power competition can be severe, and great powers will go to great lengths to avoid direct conflict, given the potential for devastating losses. The reality is that this shadowy gray zone has become a space of increasing activity by U.S. adversaries. (Order book here.)

How Ukraine’s New Push in Kurtis Can Change the War - by Former CIA Executive and U.S. President’s Senior Representative on Intelligence and Security Glenn Corn - Cipher Brief, 07 Jan 25

Ukrainian forces launched a fresh offensive into Russia’s western Kurtis region over the weekend, trying to surprise Russian forces – and the North Korean troops fighting alongside them – and carve out more territory. Five months ago, Ukrainian troops entered Kurtis in a stunning move that marked the first time a foreign military had occupied Russian territory since World War II. Since then, Russian and North Korean have been slowly retaking territory in Kurtis seized by the Ukrainian side. In this sense, the current Ukrainian operation is really a counter-counteroffensive, aimed at turning the tide once more. And it’s clearly aimed at doing so before Donald Trump returns to the White House, and to gain some territorial leverage before Trump begins his much-promised effort to negotiate an end to the war. “We continue to maintain a buffer zone on Russian territory, actively destroying Russian military potential there,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday. “Since the beginning of the Kurtis operation, the enemy has already lost over 38,000 troops in this area alone, including approximately 15,000 irrecoverable losses.” (Access here.)

Russia and China Deep Sea Sabotage Continues...(30 mins) - with Former Canadian Security Intelligence Service Officer Neil Bison - Global Intelligence Weekly Wrap Up Podcast, 11 Jan 25

As President Biden prepares to leave office, one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of his administration remains unresolved: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Professor of Strategic Studies and historian Dr. Philips O’Brien joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the successes and failures of Biden’s policy in Ukraine, the challenges that remain, and more.  (Access here.)

20+ Years in the CIA and 16 years as CSO of Microsoft (145 mins) - with Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Howard - The Team House, 01 Jan 25

Mike Howard is the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Microsoft for 16 years, with previous careers at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for 22 years and in my youth, a few years with the Oakland, California Police Department. (Access here.)

Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The Untold Story of the International Spy Network
by Richard Kerby
(Union Square and Co., 07 Jan 25)

The Five Eyes—a spy network between the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—has been steeped in secrecy since its official formation in 1956. Yet the Five Eyes’ very existence is not legally binding—it functions as a marriage of convenience riddled with distrust, competing intelligence agendas, and a massive imbalance of power that favors the US. Richard Kerby draws on interviews with intelligence officials, world leaders, and recently declassified archives to reveal the authoritative but unauthorized stories of the alliance. In bypassing the usual censorship channels, he tells this extraordinary account of the Five Eyes’ unlikely cast of characters who played a crucial role in its history, and exposes the network’s hidden role in influencing global events that continue to shape our daily lives.

Order book here.

The Story of BRIXMIS and the Secret Cold War: Intelligence Gathering Operations Behind Enemy Lines in East Germany
by Andrew Long
(Pen and Sword History, 25 Sep 24)

The German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, was the frontline in the Cold War, packed with hundreds of thousands of Soviet and East German troops armed with the latest Warsaw Pact equipment, lined up along the 1,400 km Inner German Border. However, because of the repressive East German police state, little human intelligence about these forces reached the West. Who were they? Where were they located? What were they doing? How were they equipped? What were their intentions? NATO was lined up in West Germany to face these forces and relied on getting up-to-date intelligence to warn of any threat, ‘Indicators of Hostility’ that could be a precursor to an invasion. BRIXMIS, the British Commanders’-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany, was on hand to provide that intelligence. Thanks to an obscure 1946 agreement between the British and Soviets that established ‘liaison missions’ in their respective zones of occupation, the British were able to send highly qualified military ‘observers’ into East Germany to roam (relatively) freely and keep an eye on what was going on. What started as ‘liaison’, a point of contact between the British and Soviet occupation forces, developed into a very sophisticated intelligence gathering operation, sending ‘tours’ out every day of the year, between 1946 and when the Mission closed in 1990. These tours were undertaken in high-performance, highly modified marked vehicles, with personnel in uniform and unarmed, apart from professional photographic equipment and occasionally some top-secret gadgets from the boffins back in the UK. They joined their French and American colleagues in snooping around the opposition, photographing military bases, equipment, and manoeuvres, and trying to evade capture by the secret police and counterintelligence units. They faced danger and violence daily, but thanks to their bravery and professionalism, the West had accurate and up to date information on what was happening in East Germany which help keep the peace all that time. This is the story of this little-known unit and their exploits behind enemy lines.

Order book here.

The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames
by Kai Bird
(Crown, 20 May 14)

The Good Spy is Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Kai Bird’s compelling portrait of the remarkable life and death of one of the most important operatives in CIA history – a man who, had he lived, might have helped heal the rift between Arabs and the West. On April 18, 1983, a bomb exploded outside the American Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people. The attack was a geopolitical turning point. It marked the beginning of Hezbollah as a political force, but even more important, it eliminated America’s most influential and effective intelligence officer in the Middle East – CIA operative Robert Ames. What set Ames apart from his peers was his extraordinary ability to form deep, meaningful connections with key Arab intelligence figures. Some operatives relied on threats and subterfuge, but Ames worked by building friendships and emphasizing shared values – never more notably than with Yasir Arafat’s charismatic intelligence chief and heir apparent Ali Hassan Salameh (aka “The Red Prince”). Ames’ deepening relationship with Salameh held the potential for a lasting peace. Within a few years, though, both men were killed by assassins, and America’s relations with the Arab world began heading down a path that culminated in 9/11, the War on Terror, and the current fog of mistrust. Bird, who as a child lived in the Beirut Embassy and knew Ames as a neighbor when he was twelve years old, spent years researching The Good Spy. Not only does the book draw on hours of interviews with Ames’ widow, and quotes from hundreds of Ames’ private letters, it’s woven from interviews with scores of current and former American, Israeli, and Palestinian intelligence officers as well as other players in the Middle East “Great Game.” What emerges is a masterpiece-level narrative of the making of a CIA officer, a uniquely insightful history of twentieth-century conflict in the Middle East, and an absorbing hour-by-hour account of the Beirut Embassy bombing. Even more impressive, Bird draws on his reporter’s skills to deliver a full dossier on the bombers and expose the shocking truth of where the attack’s mastermind resides today.

Order book here.

True Intelligence Matters on Film - The Women Of Wartime Canadian Espionage - Penny McCain (2019)

Don't miss this compelling one-hour documentary about the vital role women played in putting an end to World War II by working for Canadian spymaster William Stephenson -- a.k.a. "the Man Called Intrepid."

More on this based-on-true-events production here.

Intelligence in Pop Culture - Spy Games [Official Lyric Video] - The Spy Collection, 08 Dec 24

This is a song we wrote for all the people involved in HUMINT (Human Intelligence), a world of secrets and lies, deception and intrigue. We used a combination of traditional songwriting, AI, and session musicians.

Access here.

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

• Stuxnet: The Cyber Weapon That Changed the World (24 mins) - Pentesting Club, 07 Jan 25
• Rules That Spies Followed During The Cold War - Grunge, 11 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Explosive docs reveal finals days of scientist who mysteriously died during CIA mind control program MKUltra - Daily Mail, 08 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Christopher Robert Metsos: Too many aliases to list... - Shadows and Secrets, 07 Jan 25
• OSS Spy Radio (SSTR-1) Training Film (1943) (23 mins) - Spy Collection, 07 Jan 25
• The Iran-Contra Affair: An Actual, Real Government Conspiracy (28 mins) - Mission Implausible Podcast, 12 Jan 25

Walking Tours - "Spies of Embassy Row" and "Spies of Georgetown" - Washington, DC - Sundays (Dates/Times Vary)

Former intelligence officers guide visitors on two morning and afternoon espionage-themed walking tours: "Spies of Embassy Row" and "Spies of Georgetown." For more information and booking, click here or contact rosanna@spyher.co

Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

Bill Merrigan — Legal Counsel for Air America

William Joseph Merrigan, a longtime Department of Defense lawyer and veteran who served as legal counsel for Air America, a U.S. government-owned clandestine airline operated by the Central Intelligence Agency, has died. He was 90. Mr. Merrigan died of natural causes at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia on October 26, 2024. The son of a farmer and high school teacher, Mr. Merrigan was born in 1934 in Guilford, Missouri. He graduated from Creighton University in Nebraska in 1956 and the following year joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps, where he earned his wings in Pensacola, Florida. After receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Merrigan attended Georgetown Law School in Washington, DC and worked as a legislative assistant for Missouri Rep. W.R. Hull. In 1961, during a stint in the office of U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General in Washington, Mr. Merrigan responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking an attorney for "a Chinese airline," according to his wife. That position turned out to be Legal Counsel for Air America and he soon relocated to Taipei, Taiwan, where he spent the next 11 years traveling and working throughout Asia for the U.S. government's various covert air proprieties during the Vietnam War. Mr. Merrigan left Air America in 1974 as the airline was being dissolved and returned stateside to work for the Defense Department. He represented DOD interests at the Civil Aeronautics Board before it closed in 1978 and at the Interstate Commerce Commission for 20 years. He also served as Chief Legal counsel for DOD on transportation deregulation legislation until he retired in 2008. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Merrigan began working closely with the late Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid and the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2003 to draft the Air America Act to finally recognize his former colleagues at Air America and other CIA-related air enterprises for their government service. Mr. Merrigan continued to push for the proposed legislation, regularly walking the halls of the Senate and House well into his eighties. The bill currently has significant bipartisan co-sponsorship on both sides of Congress. "He was the perfect combination of a patriotic down-to-earth Midwesterner and a truly urbane, diplomatic Washingtonian in the very best of ways," said Maureen Bevans Ebersole, who worked with Mr. Merrigan on Air America legislation for the past 15 years. A warm, gregarious man known for his strong devotion to family and loyalty to friends. He loved reading and amassed a decent library over the years. He enjoyed tennis and swam five days a week and was a lifelong avid walker and hiker. He was a keen world traveler, and in his later years he relished spending time in the Pacific Northwest, especially Seattle and boating in the San Juan Islands and British Columbia. His sense of humor, talent for storytelling, and tendency to see the bright side of everything made him a popular figure. Mr. Merrigan was a member of the Missouri and Virginia Bar Associations. He was a long-time member of the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC. For many years he was a member of the Supreme Court Historical Society, the Asia Society, and for a decade he served as a legislative counsel to the National Capital Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Association.

Bob Rostropovich — Former NSA and Military Intelligence Officer and Presidential Translator

Lt. Col. Robert George Rostropovich died suddenly of heart failure at his home in Alexandria, Virginia on December 3, 2024. He was 72 years old. A career officer in the U.S. Army, Robert proudly served his country for over 30 years. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 14, 1952. After receiving his BA from MacMurray College, Robert briefly worked as a journalist before enlisting in the Army. After basic training, he was sent to the prestigious Defense Language Institute, where he graduated at the top of his class in Russian Translation. In 1976, Robert served in Augsburg, Germany, translating intercepted Russian military radio broadcasts. After 5 years of service, Robert returned to Chicago, where he pursued a lifelong passion for art, and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he immersed himself in the field of Scientific Illustration and did part-time work for the Field Museum. Robert decided to return to the Army and underwent officer's training while obtaining his Master's Degree in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Chicago (he later achieved a second Master's in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College). Robert served as Chief of Operations, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, then went to Garmisch, Germany when he became a Senior Fellow at the George C. Marshall Center. He then served as Senior Liaison Officer to the Russian Independent Airborne Brigade in Bosnia-Herzegovina, shortly after the conflict there had ended. His time with the Russians was an unforgettable experience that made a lasting impression. Robert served as Associate Professor of Russian at the U.S. Air Force Academy before relocating to the Washington D.C. area where he worked for many years at NSA and the Pentagon. Perhaps Robert's proudest moment during this period was serving as Senior U.S. Presidential Translator. In this capacity, he was part of MOLINK, better known as the "hot line" or "red phone" between the White House and Kremlin. Late in his career, Robert was posted to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, conducted Intelligence training for the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Vilnius, and served as Deputy Advisor to the Chief of Staff to the Afghan National Army in Kabul. He retired from the Army in 2013.

Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

• Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals. See flier with full details here.
• Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programmer at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programmer: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025. See flier with full details here.
• Information Sought: Researcher is seeking information about the document known in the West as the “KGB Wanted List,” the 1969 version of which was brought to the West by a KGB defector in 1972. Vladislav Krasnov analysed a portion of the list in his 1986 book titled “Soviet Defectors.” Both CIA and the FBI responded to FOIA requests indicating that they cannot find the 1969 list (although both CIA and NACIC have cited it in various forums). If you have a copy of the 1969 list, suggestions where it might be found in its entirety, or knowledge of any earlier lists in the series, please contact Kevin Riehle at kevin.riehle@brunel.ac.uk.
• Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks a collaborator with YouTube technical expertise to launch a channel that will highlight specific examples of Russian and Chinese misinformation. Please contact Greg Rushford at gregrushford@gmail.com.
• Internship Opportunity: U.K.-based private intelligence company Grey Dynamics is accepting applications for its analyst internship program. Excellent resume building experience for aspiring intel analysts and, for intelligence studies students (and graduates) who are interested in analysis and writing, a great entry-level opportunity to exercise your skills in a real editorial and publication setting. See full details and application instructions here.


• Call for Information: Child of former CIA Como Officer Walter E. McLeod seeks information on her father's life and work to help build a better understanding of the family's history. McLeod EODed in 1951 and served in Saipan, Havana, WTC, Caracas, Jakarta, Saigon, Paris, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Bangkok. He retired in 1975. If you have information to share, contact Kathy McLeod katherinemacleod@gmail.com.


• Call for Intelligence Studies Course Syllabi: An adjunct professor in the criminology department at Florida International University in Miami is developing a course in intelligence studies for the school and would welcome the opportunity to review syllabi used by other intel studies teachers. If you have a syllabus that you are willing to share, contact Salvador Rivas at salvador.rivas@fiu.edu or (786) 547-0428.


• Call for Interviews: Kingston Trinder is a Los Angeles-based nonfiction author and documentary film and television executive who is seeking extraordinary true, untold, stories featuring unforgettable characters, and unbelievable narrative arcs. He develops compelling factual storytelling with a variety of international publishing houses and television networks, and is in search of primary source material from former intelligence officers about their lives, specific cases or projects that they can get cleared for discussion, or other aspects of working in the shadows that would be informative and entertaining for readers who live outside of that world. Please email hello@kingstontrinder.com or call (323) 570-5715.


• Call for Online Survey Participants: Northeastern University is conducting an Institution Review Board approved research project on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts and welcomes the input, via online survey, of AFIO members. Access survey here.


• Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era to help a family investigating their heritage. Specifically looking at The Plaza (1955), Hotel Pierre (1935 through 1970), and Hotel Delmonico (1945) (now Trump Park Avenue) as well as "Office of 39" Room 3603, and the OWI (Office of War Information) (1945). Details on the Grand Central Station underground and Waldorf Astoria Secret Elevator are also of interest. Other areas of interest for any information on the following people or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate include Swiss involvement in the Abwehr, The Nestle Company 1935-1945, Reinhard Gehlen, German Soldier Thilo Von Trotha in Addis Ababa in 1948-53, Michael Wardell in London, John B. McNair, Canada, Lord Beaverbrook in Cromarty 1948-49. Contact Rosanna Minchew at Rosanna@spyher.co.

Jobs

• Assistant Professor in Intelligence and National Security Studies - University of Texas, El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies. We seek applicants with demonstrated research expertise in one or more of these areas: Open-Source Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cyberwarfare, or Intelligence Analysis. Successful candidates will indicate how they can contribute to establishing and growing UTEP's Open-Source Intelligence Center. More information about our program and dynamic campus, as well as application materials, can be found here.

• 2 Assistant Professors in Intelligence and Security - Institute of Security and Global Affairs, University of Leiden - Netherlands

The successful candidates will have demonstrable research records in themes related to the vacancy and strong teaching background in intelligence and security, or a related field, as well as in topics related to the Institute's Bachelor's and Master's programme offerings. The candidate will be expected to teach across several programmes in the Institute, notably the master's programme Crisis and Security Management and the bachelor programme Security Studies, and our minor in Intelligence Studies. The positions are aimed at strengthening the Institute's teaching, research and grant-acquisition capacities in a phase of growth and exciting interdisciplinary research opportunities. Full details on qualifications, duties, and application here.

• Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies - Mercyhurst University - Erie, Pennsylvania

Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies in the School of Intelligence, Computing and Global Politics. The position is at the Erie campus and begins Fall Semester 2024. Successful candidates will teach introductory and applied courses in Crime and Law Enforcement intelligence analysis at the undergraduate and graduate levels, in addition to the ability to teach undergraduate or graduate courses in: Leadership in Intelligence; Advanced Analytic Techniques; Intelligence Collection and Analysis. Additional information and application instructions here.

• Associate Professor and Chair of National Security - University of New Haven, Connecticut

The Department of National Security invites nominations and applications for a tenured Full/Associate Professor and Chair of National Security. The department includes a dynamic undergraduate program encompassing four distinct bachelor's degrees (Security & Defense Policy, Intelligence Analysis, Homeland Security, and International Affairs), a robust master's degree program, and several practitioner-oriented certificates. Qualifications: A terminal degree in national security, public policy, political science, or related field is required; Ph.D. preferred. The successful applicant will have a record of teaching excellence at the university level, established catalog of academic publications, and an innovative research agenda. Applicants should also possess experience in university-level service and leadership. The department is particularly interested in candidates with policymaking experience in national security at either the federal, state, or local level. Tenurable Assistant Professors may also be considered in accordance with the aforementioned qualifications. Application Instructions: Please submit a brief cover letter explaining teaching experience and philosophy, publication record, practitioner-oriented experience (if applicable), CV, and the name and contact information for three references. Applicants may also include up to 3 artifacts of teaching ability (examples include syllabi, student evaluations, learning exercises, assignments, or other feedback) that illustrate teaching experience. More information and application here or contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jeffrey Treistman at jtreistman@newhaven.edu.

• Wanted: Former intelligence officers to lead spy-themed walking tours in Washington D.C. - Spyher Tours

These are 90-120 minute historical tours with an interactive "operational" component. Most tours start at 10am on select Thursdays-Sundays. The immediate opportunity is for dates in March, but additional opportunities are available through June, and new opportunities are likely to become available throughout the year. This is a fun way to get back out on the streets, engage/educate the public on the world of espionage, and make some extra cash. The next opportunities to see a tour in action (and train before the Spring rush) are Sunday 2/18 and Sunday 3/3. Please contact Rosanna at 571-236-9052 or rosanna@spyher.co. Visit https://spyher.co.

• Assistant/Associate Professor of Intelligence Studies (Global Security and Intelligence Studies) - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, Arizona

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus is accepting applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate-level professor of intelligence studies to teach intelligence courses to students in the Global Security and Intelligence program. The successful candidate will teach students about the intelligence community, strategic intelligence, the intelligence cycle and intelligence analysis, writing, and briefing. Prior experience working in the intelligence community is strongly preferred. We are interested in candidates with teaching acumen in intelligence analysis and writing using structured analytical techniques.

Additional information and application here.

Section VI - Events

AFIO Events

14 Jan 25, 0900-1130 (PST) - Presentation by Former Secretary of Defense General Jim Mattis - In Person - San Francisco - AFIO San Francisco ChapterNone scheduled.

Topic: National Security. 9:00am - 9:45am coffee and networking; 9:45am - 11:30am talk. Location: Adjacent to Moffett Field. Registrants will receive directions on how to access the building. Dress Code: Civilian - Business Casual; Military - Work Uniform. This event is open to AFIO SF chapter members in good standing and their guests. Though the event is SOLD OUT some waitlist names are being accepted. Please contact Mariko Kawaguchi at afiosf@aol.com if you have any questions or would like to be put on the very limited wait list. The event is held at a government facility. You must be registered prior to the event and bring a government-issued photo ID. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Saturday, 8 February 2025, 11:30 a.m. - Indialantic, FL - AFIO Florida Satellite Chapter hears David Hunt, former senior CIA Operations Officer, on "Intelligence Threats from the French to the Chinese and More" AFIO Florida Satellite Chapter hears from David Hunt, former senior CIA Operations Officer, on "Intelligence Threats from the French to the Chinese and More." The event commences at 11:30 AM, Saturday, 8 February 2025, at the Doubletree Hotel, Rt A1A, Indialantic, Florida.
Mr. Hunt's presentation follows a sit-down lunch.
The cost is $35.00. Reservations received by February 3 are required.
Questions? Reservations? Contact: Larry Sanford, President AFIO-FSC at afiofloridasatellitechapter@gmail.com

Friday, 21 February 2025, 1100 - 1400 - McLean, VA - AFIO National Spring Luncheon - Registration has Opened.
Event features: The History of Intelligence - A Panel Discussion. Panelists: CIA's Chief Historian David Robarge, National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds. And Joby Warrick, Author and a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Post.
Schedule: 1030 - Check-in for preregistered attendees (no walk-ins); 1100 - Panel on Intelligence History. Panelists: CIA's Chief Historian David Robarge, National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds. 12-1300 - Lunch; 1300 - Joby Warrick, Author and a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Post, discussing current events in Syria and his 2021 book "Red Line: The Unraveling of Syria and the Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World." 1400 - Event ends
Registration and Fee: Registration and credit card payment required before event. Lunch is $60 (members) or $75 (guests, Subscribers).

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, McLean-Tysons, VA
1960 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102
Registration has opened here and available while space remains. Registration closes 1700 hours, Friday, 16 Feb 2025 or earlier when all seats taken. Attendees must be AFIO members or accompanied by a member. For security reasons, no late or last-minute substitutions. Please direct any questions to events@afio.com.

Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

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.

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—

Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, Self

Gray long-sleeved polo shirts with embroidered AFIO logo. Men's sizes only.
Show your support for AFIO with our new Gray Long-sleeve Polo Shirts. Shirts are shrink and wrinkle resistant of fine cotton with a soft, "well-worn, comfy" yet substantial feel. They feature a detailed embroidered AFIO seal. Get a shirt for yourself and consider as gifts for colleagues, family, and friends. Only $60 each including shipping.
Sizes for men, only: Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, and XXXL.  $60 per shirt. Order this and other store items online here.

20 oz ceramic Mug with color glazed logo. Made in America. Check out our new tapered, sleek AFIO coffee mug!! This handsome 20 oz. ceramic mug is made in the USA, has a white matte exterior, sports a beautiful navy-blue interior, and is dishwasher safe.  Order yours today! $35 per mug includes shipping to a CONUS address. [includes shipping to U.S. based address, only. For foreign shipments, we will contact you with a quote.] SHIPPING: For shipment to a U.S.-based CONUS address, shipping is included in price. For purchases going to AK, HI, other US territories, Canada, or other foreign countries the shipping fees need to be calculated, so please call our office M-F 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at 703-790-0320 or email afio@afio.com providing following information: 1) your name, 2) mailing address (or addresses where each gift item will be shipped), 3) name of the AFIO store items you wish to purchase, 4) quantity of each, 5) your credit card number and expiration date, 6) amount (except for additional of shipping fees) authorized to charge, and 7) your phone number and email should we have questions. Foreign shipments fees will be calculated and estimates emailed to you, awaiting your approval.  Order this and other store items online here.

Black short-sleeved polo shirts with Embroidered AFIO logo
Show your support for AFIO with our new Black Short-sleeve Polo Shirts. Shirts are shrink and wrinkle resistant of fine cotton with a soft, "well-worn, comfy" yet substantial feel. They feature a detailed embroidered AFIO seal. Get a shirt for yourself and consider as gifts for colleagues, family, and friends. Only $50 each including shipping.
Sizes for (M) men, only; Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, and XXXL. $50 per shirt.
You may pay by check or credit card. Complete your order online here or mail an order along with payment to: AFIO, 7600 Leesburg Pike, Ste 470 East, Falls Church, VA 22043-2004. Phone orders at 703-790-0320. Questions? Contact Annette at: annettej@afio.com.

PopSocket for cellphones or tablets
Show your support to AFIO while enjoying the convenience offered by our AFIO Logo PopSocket. The PopSocket is most commonly used as a stand and as a grip for your mobile phone or tablet; handy for taking selfies, watching videos, and for texting. The PopSocket looks like a small button or sticker which, when closed, sticks flat to your mobile device. However, its accordion-like design enables it to pop open for use. The benefits of using a PopSocket make it a must-have accessory for your mobile phone or tablet. It also aids in keeping your phone from slipping off your hand during use, falling, or breaking.
Price: $15. Order this and other store items online here.

Duffel Bags - Royal Blue and Black with Full Color AFIO Logo This duffel has it all when it comes to value, style and organization.
600 denier polyester canvas with polyester double contrast; D-shaped zippered entry for easy access. Front pocket with hook and loop closure. End mesh pocket Easy-access end pockets. Four durable, protective feet and built-in bottom board for added strength. Web handles with padded grip. Detachable, adjustable shoulder strap.
Dimensions: 11"h x 19.75"w x 9.75"d; Approx. 2,118 cubic inches
Price: $50. Order this and other store items online here.

Caps - Dark Navy with Navy AFIO Logo
An authentic silhouette with the comfort of an unstructured, adjustable fit. Fabric: 100% cotton. Unstructured. Fabric strap closure with adjustable D-clip. Price: $30. Order this and other store items online here.

AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence...and...When Intelligence Made a Difference

"AFIO's Guide to the AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence has sold out in hard-copy.
It is available in digital form in its entirety on the AFIO website here.
Also available on the website here are the individual articles of AFIO's history project "When Intelligence Made a Difference" that have been published to date in The Intelligencer journal. More articles will be appear in future editions.

PUBLISHED IN 2023—Be informed on career opportunities in the U.S. Intelligence Community

Intelligence as a Career - with updated listings of colleges teaching intelligence courses, and Q&As on needed foreign languages, as well as the courses, grades, extracurricular activities, and behavioral characteristics and life experiences sought by modern U.S. intelligence agencies.

AFIO's popular 47-page booklet reaches thousands of high school, college students, university guidance offices, and distributed in classes teaching intelligence, to help those considering careers in the U.S. Intelligence Community.
This is the fifth edition.
The publication is also popular with University Career Guidance Centers, professors and academic departments specializing in national security, and parents assisting children or grandchildren in choosing meaningful, public service careers.
This booklet is provided online as a public service from the generosity of AFIO board, volunteer editors/writers, donors, and members.
We thank all for their support which makes this educational effort possible.
Careers Booklet (2023 Fifth Edition) can be read or downloaded here

To unsubscribe from the WIN email list, please click the "UNSUBSCRIBE" link at the bottom of the email. If you did not subscribe to the WIN and are not a member, you received this product from a third party in violation of AFIO policy. Please forward to afio@afio.com the entire message that you received and we will remove the sender from our membership and distribution lists.