Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

03 - 09 July 2024
(Issue 25)

Readers who encounter problems with the email version of the WIN can
view the latest edition here.

Send submissions and comments to: winseditor@afio.com.

CONTENTS


Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)



Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)



Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
and Recent Endeavors)



Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

True Intelligence Matters on Film: Declassified: The Untold Stories of American Spies, S1 E5 - Cross International: The Billion Dollar Black Market - Domini Hofmann (2016)

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

Infographic: Biden and Trump: The Least-Liked Presidential Candidates in Over 30 Years - Visual Capitalist, 04 Jul 24

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



Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

  • Noel Firth — Former Acting Director of CIA's Office of Strategic Research
  • Don Burns — Former CIA Officer
  • Haviland Smith — Decorated Former CIA Chief of Station, Tradecraft Pioneer
  • Robert Clark — Decorated Former Military Intelligence Officer
  • Bob Hortin — Former CIA Senior Support Officer
  • Doris Allen — Military Intel Hall of Fame Inductee, Bronze Star Recipient, Analyst
  • Bill Queen — Former NSA Cryptographer, Inventor, NASA Medal Recipient
  • Denise MacGaffin — Spouse of former AFIO board member John MacGaffin

    • Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Papers: Frontiers in African Intelligence Studies - Special Issue of the Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 01 Aug 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Information: Farewell Dossier and the alleged explosion of the Siberian gas pipeline.
    • Call for Papers: 2025 Cryptologic History Symposium - “Engage the Past, Educate the Future.” 05 Sep 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Submissions: 2024 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest - Cosponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and Naval Intelligence Professionals. 31 July 2024 deadline.
    • 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.
    • Call for papers: Irregular Warfare Lessons Learned Since 9/11 - Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) and the Foreign Policy Research Institute's (FPRI) Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare conference in Annapolis, MD 17-18 September 2024 - 01 August Deadline.
    • Call for information: Child of former CIA officers John and Mary Mae Roman seeks information about parents' careers.
    • Call for information: Seeking input and suggestions for a chapter on Counterintelligence for the second edition of the Oxford University Handbook of National Security Intelligence.
    • Call for information: Seeking information on Priscilla Griffin de Mauduit, OSS-CIA, 1941-1965.
    • Call for information: Seeking information on Peruvian communist terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path).
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Seeking information on Czech-U.S. relations late 1970s and 1980s, StB's techniques and effectiveness, exposition and expulsion of U.S. staff in Prague, Czech intel operatives on U.S. soil.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation.
    • Call for Information: Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder and research activity/death in Mirny Antarctica 1997 / info on climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok.
    • Call For Articles: AFIO Journal, The Intelligencer - Assorted Topics

    Employment

    Section VI - Events

    Upcoming AFIO Events

    • 18 Jul 24, 1130 (MT) - In-Person, Colorado Springs, CO - The AFIO Rocky Mountain Chapter hosts Bill Berry discussing "Philippines-China Territorial Conflict in the South China Sea and Possible U.S. Involvement."
    • 30 Jul 24, 1900 (PT) - Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East - In-Person, Yorba Linda, CA - AFIO Los Angeles Chapter; Dinner after presentation.
    • 01 Aug 24, 1800 (PT) - Director, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Lt Gen Heath Collins on the Missile Defense Agency - its responsibilities, its challenges and opportunities, and the importance of what the MDA does every day for our nation's security - In-Person, Simi Valley, CA - AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter; More details to follow.
    • Mon, 5 Aug 2024, noon (CT) - San Antonio TX - In-Person - The AFIO San Antonio TX Chapter features video interview with Chip Beck, USN on "CIA Special Operations in Cambodia" and on Impact of Houthi Attack Boats on Red Sea Shipping.

    Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    • 10 Jul 24, 0900-0945 (ET) – Virtual – Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Rick Muller, Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and INSA VP for Policy Bishop Garrison - INSA, Washington DC
    • 11 Jul 24, 1830-2030 (ET) – In Person – Vintage Espionage wine tasting - The Fountain Inn, Washington D.C.
    • 29 Jul 2024, 1300-1400 (BST) – Online – Former GCHQ Director Robert Hannigan on CI and Learning from the Secret World - Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), U.K.
    • 20 Aug 24, 0900-1000 (ET) – Virtual – Beyond the Big Six: The Pivotal Roles of Lesser Known IC Agencies - INSA, Online
    • 27-28 Aug 24 – In Person – Intelligence & National Security Summit - INSA, Bethesda, MD
    • 30 Apr - 02 May 2025 – In Person – Cryptologic History Symposium - National Cryptological Foundation and NSA Center for Cryptologic History, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland

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


    *The editor thanks the following contributors of content for this issue:

    PK, BG, LR, GR, JK, EB, MA, JH


    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.

    		     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS


    - NEW AFIO NOW INTERVIEW -

    Released today, 09 July 2024. AFIO President and Former CIA Senior Operations Officer James Hughes inteviews Former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer Brian J. Morra on his recently released book, The Righteous Arrows, a Cold War spy thriller, historical fiction, and the second installment of his The Able Archers series. See "AFIO Exclusive Content" below.


    - NEW AFIO BOOK REVIEW -
    (July 2024)

    Released today, 09 July 2024. Former CIA Senior Operations Officer John Atwell draws on his Pacific-focused career and time lecturing on intel-studies in the Hawaii college system to review Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll's Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese-American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor. See "AFIO Exclusive Content" below.



    - NEW SPY ACTIVITY FOR KIDS -

    See ad below for new kid-specific offering
    by Spyher tours for children 12 and under starting in July.



    - BOOK REVIEWERS WANTED -

    With the growth in intelligence-related books, AFIO seeks volunteers who are willing to review new releases. We are looking for short reviews (500 words) for inclusion in the WIN. The make-up of AFIO's membership puts us in a position to offer unique reviews in the intelligence studies world, matching backgrounds with subject matter. If interested, please register here.



    AFIO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT


    Members-only release today...9 July 2024...


    Recorded 15 April 2024
    (18 minutes)

    Brian J. Morra
    Former USAF Intelligence Officer on
    The Righteous Arrows
    a spy thriller about the persistent U.S. - Russia rivalry

    AFIO President and Former CIA Senior Operations Officer James Hughes interviews Former USAF Intel Officer and senior aerospace executive Brian J. Morra on his recently released work of historical fiction, a story of international espionage and war. This is the second installment of the The Able Archers series. Includes Q&A.

    Read more about and purchase the book here.

    Click image above to access video interview.



    - NEW AFIO BOOK REVIEW -
    (July 2024)

    Released today, 09 July 2024, please enjoy this installment of AFIOʻs new short-form book reviews, drafted by our members and professional contacts. Send feedback on this new effort to winseditor@afio.com



    Former CIA Senior Operations Officer and Intelligence-Studies College Lecturer John Atwell writes on:

    Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese-American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor

    by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll, Jr.
    (Harper Select, November 2023).

    Access review here.




    The Podcast

    AFIO Now Presents:

    James Roth and his book, The Dead Drop

    Former CIA Officer James Roth discusses his work of fiction, The Dead Drop: Espionage is a Dangerous Game for Amateurs, which explores themes of duplicity and betrayal and the tension of real-world espionage with a memorable cast of characters. Includes Q&A.

    Former CIA Officer James Lawler wrote of the book: "...a riveting tale of spies, youthful idealism, and adult betrayal, which accelerates to a thrilling climax worthy of a major motion picture."

    Duration: 22 minutes
    Released: 01 July 2024
    Taped: 09 Feburary 2024
    Host and Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes

    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" :

    Podbean; iTunes; Spotify; Amazon Music; TuneIn; iHeartRadio; Pandora



    AFIO Now Archive

    AFIO Now interviews, video and audio-only forms, in 2023 and 2024, 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.



    Special Walking Tours
    by SpyGuide Tours Inc.


    Make it a Spyher Summer

    17 July 2024 - 10-11:30a ET
    Embassy Row Spy Tour

    Spyher invites AFIO members to experience the Embassy Row Spy Tour on Wednesday 17 July from 10a-11:30a. To register for this event and receive your AGENT MEETING INSTRUCTIONS, please send an email with your name, and the names of up to two guests to Rosanna Minchew at Rosanna@spyher.co. Space is limited and tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis. This special running is in honor of VIP guests, The Vogel Twins who will be shooting some video content for us and their viewership.

    Try our new offering for kids!

    Parent spies can’t have all the fun…now spy kids can, too! Register your future spies for the Georgetown Spy Tour for Spy Kids (ages 12 and under) starting in July on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and upon request.

    Try our newest tour: "Arlington National Cemetery, CIA Memorial Wall Tour," available select Saturdays through August.
    Book Arlington National Cemetery, CIA Memorial Wall Tour

    Join us for a Spyher Summer Book Club: To discuss various new spy books. Location TBD and announced separately. To register and receive updates send an email to rosanna@spyher.co with your interest.

    Beat the heat: Starting July, Sunday tours start at 0900 and weekday evening tours start at 1930.
    Check the schedule and book at Spyher.

    Visit Spyher
    Book | Buy | Contact us to schedule a private event | Subscribe and “Get the Intel” for not-yet-public information on upcoming events

    Vintage Espionage travels throughout the U.S. 
    Visit https://spyher.co to learn more and book all tours.



    THE MARKETPLACE


    THE AFIO STORE

    Special Gifts for Colleagues, Self, or Others

    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 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.



    CIA's In-house Gift Shop



    One special benefit of AFIO membership is access to CIA's EAA Store.

    After completing the required, quick pre-approval process for all AFIO members described here, you can purchase directly from the EAA online store their unusual logo'd gift items for self or colleagues. EAA on 21 June 2024 released the photo above, which features some of their newest CIA items and other gift suggestions.

    Section I - CURRENTS

    (Recent Developments)

    General Interests

    DISA’s intel director laying the foundation for new J-2 shop - Federal News Network, 05 Jul 24

    The Defense Information Systems Agency’s new intelligence shop, though small in size, will be vital to the agency’s mission to secure and operate the Department of Defense Information Network. Last year, DISA announced a sweeping reorganization effort to better align its operations with the Joint Staff and combatant commands the agency supports. Using the J-code system, DISA introduced a J-1 focused on manpower, a J-3,5,7 focused on operations and training, a J-8 in charge of requirements and funding and a J-2, DISA’s first-ever intelligence shop. Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner, who serves as DISA’s director and the commander of DoDIN, recognized the pressing need for intelligence to better protect the agency’s assets and that the existing DoDIN J2 unit lacked resources and capacity to support DISA’s unique needs. (Read more here.)

    Australia spy agency moves intelligence data to cloud in Amazon deal - Reuters, 03 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    Australia will move its top secret intelligence data to the cloud under a A$2 billion deal with Amazon Web Services that Defence Minister Richard Marles said would boost defence force interoperability with the United States. The Director General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Rachel Noble, said the national security agency would also increase its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse data under the shift, which would see top secret data centres built in Australia. "Artificial intelligence is an important game changer for all of us in the intelligence community, and we are working to embrace the use of it in an ethical, well governed and well understood manner, where we understand very carefully when we bring AI tools into our environment how are they being used, what are they doing to the data and do we understand how carefully they need to be governed?" (Read more here.)

    New open-source software for quantum cryptography is greater than the sum of its parts - Tech Explore, 03 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    Accurate models of real-world scenarios are important for bringing theoretical and experimental research together in meaningful ways. Creating these realistic computer models, however, is a very large undertaking. Significant amounts of data, code, and expertise across a wide range of intricate areas are needed to create useful and comprehensive software. Dr. Norbert Lütkenhaus, executive director of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and a professor in the University of Waterloo's Department of Physics and Astronomy, alongside his research group, have spent the last several years developing accurate software models for research in quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD is a process for cryptography that harnesses fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to exchange secret keys, which can then be used to ensure secure communication. (Full article here.)

    Two of the German military’s new spy satellites appear to have failed in orbit - Ars Technica, 02 Jul 24

    On the day before Christmas last year, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from California and put two spy satellites into low-Earth orbit for the armed forces of Germany, which are collectively called the Bundeswehr. Initially, the mission appeared successful. The German satellite manufacturer, OHB, declared that the two satellites were "safely in orbit." The addition of the two SARah satellites completed a next-generation constellation of three reconnaissance satellites, the company said. However, six months later, the two satellites have yet to become operational. According to the German publication Der Spiegel, the antennas on the satellites cannot be unfolded. Engineers with OHB have tried to resolve the issue by resetting the flight software, performing maneuvers to vibrate or shake the antennas loose, and more to no avail. As a result, last week, German lawmakers were informed that the two new satellites will probably not go into operation as planned. (Full article here.)

    Former director of Dutch intelligence service sworn in as prime minister - Intel News, 04 Jul 24

    The former director of the Netherlands’ intelligence service has been sworn in as prime minister at the head of a right wing coalition government that has pledged to radically reform the nation’s immigration system. The appointment of Dick Schoof brings an end to a seven-month deadlock that resulted from the general election of November 2023. The far-right Freedom Party (PVV), headed by populist Geert Wilders, emerged as the leading political force with 23% of the vote. However, it subsequently found it difficult to form a governing coalition. Last month, following prolonged negotiations, a rightwing coalition was formed between the PVV, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB), and the New Social Contract (NSC). A key feature of the agreement is that none of the individual parties’ leaders, including Wilders, cannot serve as prime minister. Instead, the three parties settled on Schoof as a form of compromise. (Full article here.)

    University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for East Asian Studies Launches Open Source Intelligence Project with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency - International Division, UW-Madison, 05 Jul 24

    The University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) is excited to announce the release of its first project on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Tearline open source intelligence platform, a pioneering analysis focused on small passenger vehicles in Hamhung, North Korea. The CEAS Tearline project provides a detailed analysis of small passenger vehicles (SPVs) in Hamhung, North Korea’s second-largest city. By examining public and commercial satellite imagery and other open source intelligence (OSINT) sources, the project sheds light on the growth and distribution of small passenger vehicles in the city as an indicator of economic activity and development, and enables a revised estimate for the number of such vehicles in North Korea. The team used both computer vision (CV) techniques and manual counting to validate the results. UW–Madison’s Center for High Throughput Computing (CHTC) was used to train the CV model. This project was conducted by students led by David Fields, CEAS associate director and scholar of US-Korean relations. It represents a significant advancement in the application of open source intelligence to provide valuable insights into one of the world’s most opaque regions. (Read here.)

    Cult infiltrates Trinidad's elite spy agency in shocking coup plot - Intellinews, 04 Jul 24

    In a bombshell revelation, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Keith Rowley has exposed a chilling conspiracy within the country’s elite Strategic Services Agency (SSA). The SSA, a cornerstone in the nation's fight against crime, was reportedly infiltrated by a sinister religious cult with a treasonous mission to overthrow the government. An explosive audit, conducted by acting SSA director Brigadier General Anthony Phillips-Spencer, revealed that the agency had been compromised for years. Cult members, disguised as SSA operatives, established a militarised unit armed with high-grade weaponry and were allegedly plotting a coup to seize political power. The massive extent of this infiltration had gone unnoticed by the administration until now. (Full article here.)

    David Vigneault, director of Canada’s spy agency, to retire - Global News, 04 Jul 24

    After seven years in the role, David Vigneault is retiring as director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the news on X on Thursday, wishing Vigneault the best in his next chapter. “David Vigneault has spent his entire career in the service of Canadians — keeping them, and our national interests, safe from those seeking to harm them,” LeBlanc wrote. In a statement, Vigneault said it had been a privilege to be CSIS director and to spend two decades in the public service. “I’m extremely proud of the work that my team and I have accomplished in recent years at CSIS, bringing the organization out of the shadows, and shedding light on the important and valuable role we play in protecting Canadians against foreign interference and threats to national security,” he wrote. “This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding period (sic) in my career.” (Full article here.)

    Intelligence community pushes for ‘AI at scale’ under new IT roadmap - Federal News Network, 02 Jul 24

    The intelligence community’s new IT roadmap lays out a plan to pursue artificial intelligence “at scale,” as IC technology leaders develop guidance for AI standards and services. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence published the roadmap, “Vision for the IC Information Environment,” late last month. In an exclusive interview, IC Chief Information Officer Adelle Merritt said the roadmap calls for “bold and transformational investments” in technology. She said the roadmap was developed in coordination with all 18 elements of the intelligence community. “This roadmap really provides a unified vision for where the IC needs to go over the next five years,” Merritt said on Inside the IC. The strategy makes clear that officials believe AI is poised to “transform the IC’s mission.” It describes several efforts to advance “AI at scale” through 2030. (Full article here.)

    Teen Recruited by IDF for Intelligence Operation, Then Jailed for Espionage, Sues State - Haaretz, 01 Jul 24

    An Israeli teen who was jailed for espionage and released after it was revealed that he was part of a Military Intelligence operation, which had been approved by a brigadier general, is now demanding damages from the state. The plaintiff, who was 16 when the affair began, is now an adult. In a lawsuit, he claims he was subjected to harsh interrogation methods in a Shin Bet security services facility that included sleep deprivation and being locked inside a sealed vehicle, nearly to the point of passing out. (Full article here.)

    China begins smartphone inspections as part of espionage law - Nikei Asia, 01 Jul 24

    Chinese national security authorities will have greater power to inspect smartphones and other electronic devices beginning Monday, one year after a stronger anti-espionage law took effect, raising fears that foreigners will face such inspections upon entering the country. The new espionage law broadens the information covered to anything involving "national security and interests." National security authorities now are permitted to inspect baggage and electronic devices simply on suspicion of espionage. Operational guidelines permit authorities to examine such phones and personal computers by showing a police ID or other identification. Fear is spreading on social media that foreigners and others will be subjected to these inspections when entering China. Media reports show the Ministry of State Security, China's intelligence agency, has denied that all arrivals will undergo smartphone inspections. (Full article here.)

    Military and intelligence officials arrested in Bolivia over coup attempt - Intel News, 01 Jul 24

    Nearly 20 military and intelligence officials have so far been arrested in Bolivia, less than a week after a former military commander led a failed coup against the government of President Luis Arce (pictured). Several military units stormed the Casa Grande, the presidential palace in La Paz, the Bolivian capital. An armored vehicle was used to ram the main gate of the palace, allowing soldiers to enter the building. However, soldiers were later seen withdrawing from the plaza in front of Case Grande, and police took back control. Within hours, Bolivian forces loyal to President Arce had arrested the apparent leader of the coup, General Juan José Zúñiga. Arce had appointed Zúñiga commander general of the Bolivian armed forces in 2022. The commander of the Bolivian Navy, Juan Arnez Salvador, has also reportedly been arrested, as well as over a dozen other military and intelligence officers. According to reports, over 200 military and intelligence personnel participated in the failed coup, including high-ranking officers. A press statement issued on Saturday by the Bolivian government said that the investigation into the coup will continue until all participants in the coup are identified. (Full article here.)

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

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

    Covert Action - Latest influence ops and countermeasures, assassinations, sabotage, intel agency paramilitary action, and more...

    Section II - DEEP DIVES

    (Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

    German Counter-Intelligence: A 12-Month Outlook - Grey Dynamics, 07 Jul 24

    On 24 June, Germany’s domestic counter-intelligence service, BfV, alleged that Russian saboteurs were behind an arson attack on a factory in Berlin. Since 2022, Germany’s counterintelligence capabilities have been called into question by its NATO allies. In March, Britain’s former defence secretary described German intelligence as “pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence” and “neither secure nor reliable”. [source] In April however, Germany’s BfV responded by dismantling three spy networks connected to Russian and Chinese intelligence agencies. The efforts of these foreign networks ranged from sabotage groups to corporate espionage. Non-state actors however also continue to pose a threat to German security. The 22 March Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow demonstrated that terrorist groups remain capable of coordinating large-scale transnational attacks. Over the next 12 months, hostile state and non-state actors will test Germany’s counterintelligence capabilities as the nation hosts Euro 2024 and prepares for Federal Elections in 2025. (Full report here.)

    The tools of global spycraft have changed: And so has the world in which they are used, says Shashank Joshi - The Economist, 01 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    A few years ago intelligence analysts observed that internet-connected cctv cameras in Taiwan and South Korea were inexplicably talking to vital parts of the Indian power grid. The strange connection turned out to be a deliberately circuitous route by which Chinese spies were communicating with malware they had previously buried deep inside crucial parts of the Indian grid (presumably to enable future sabotage). The analysts spotted it because they were scanning the internet to look for “command and control” (c2) nodes—such as cameras—that hackers use as stepping stones to their victims. (Full report here.)

    How spies should use technology: Digital tools are transforming spycraft, but won’t replace human agents - The Economist, 04 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    When thinking about agencies that gather intelligence, the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research might not come to mind. Yet, in a world where usable intel is more important than ever to decision-making, the bureau seems to have gotten more right about world events than most. Dylan Matthews is a senior correspondent with Vox, who recently profiled some of the bureau’s accomplishments. He talked about it on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin. (Access here.)

    Secret Signals Decoding China’s Intelligence Activities in Cuba - Center for Strategic and International Studies, 01 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    China’s ambitions to expand its global intelligence-gathering capabilities have drawn it to the doorstep of the United States. In a striking revelation last year, Biden administration officials disclosed that China has access to multiple spy facilities in Cuba. While China’s activities on the island remain shrouded in secrecy, satellite imagery analyzed by CSIS provides the latest and most comprehensive assessment of where China is most likely operating. (Access here.)

    A Den of Spies: Vienna Emerges as Hub for Russian Espionage - Wall Street Journal, 28 Jun 24 (Member Contribution)

    Inside a stately art nouveau building in central Vienna, special-forces officers armed with submachine guns guard the home of Christo Grozev, an investigative journalist whose Academy Award-winning documentary exposed the Kremlin’s attempt to kill opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Two years ago, Austrian intelligence and U.S. law enforcement warned Grozev that Russian President Vladimir Putin's spies were plotting to kill him. After living with his family for two decades in Austria, the Bulgaria-born Grozev fled to the U.S. in 2023. Now, when he returns to visit his family, who remained... (Full report here.) (NOTE: This article may require a one-time free registration or a paid subscription.)

    Former Navy captain tells Congress of decadeslong U.S. intelligence failures on China - Washington Times, 26 Jun 2024 (Member Contribution)

    U.S. intelligence agencies are guilty of multiple failures to address threats posed by China over the past 40 years, resulting in current existential dangers to American security, a former Navy intelligence director told Congress on Wednesday. Retired Navy Capt. James Fanell testified that the ruling Chinese Communist Party employed strategic deception and political warfare to fool both intelligence officials and executive branch policymakers into falsely assuming China posed no threat. “Over the course of decades, [China] effectively misled our executive branch to ignore the PRC as a rising existential threat,” said Capt. Fanell, former director of intelligence and information operations for the Pacific Fleet. “In particular, the Department of Defense and the intelligence community were deceived by the CCP’s skillful use of elite capture, deception, disinformation and propaganda programs.” The failures resulted in U.S. leaders unilaterally disarming psychologically, intellectually and militarily, despite what he said was evidence that China viewed the United States as its main enemy, he said. (Access here.)

    Israel’s Secretive Spy Agency Combating Iran’s Nuclear Bomb Ambition (46 mins) - TBN Israel, 05 Jul 2024

    Yair Pinto and Mati Shoshani unpack the mysteries of Israel’s elite spy agency, the Mossad, and Iran’s ambition to achieve nuclear capability. Hear how the two powers wage cyberwar against one another and how economic sanctions could further cripple the regime. What more could Israel and the U.S. be doing to topple the Iranian regime? Stay up-to-date with the latest developments here on TBN Israel. (Access here.)

    The DIA: Nigeria’s Premier Intelligence Service – Myths and Realities - PR Nigeria, 01 Jul 2024

    A couple of years ago, I was on the verge of accepting an offer to join the ranks of Nigeria’s premier intelligence agency, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), when I received an admission letter to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Defence and Security Studies (MPhil DSS) at the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State. This dilemma between a career in intelligence and further academic pursuits was a difficult one, but ultimately, I decided to focus on my studies, a decision that has proven fruitful. It was during the tenure of the immediate past Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Samuel A. Adebayo (retd), that I was invited for the job interview. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the DIA’s inner workings, and I was struck by the agency’s commitment to clandestine yet successful military operations, which were rarely publicized. This discretion is, in my opinion, a testament to the professionalism and discipline that permeates the DIA. (Access here.)

    Holy Espionage: Spying in the Vatican and Beyond - Grey Dynamics, 06 Jul 2024

    The 2023 financial trial in the Vatican has reignited discussions on corruption within the church and raised profound concerns about internal espionage and surveillance practices. Testimony has uncovered a clandestine world where senior Vatican officials allegedly engage in covert operations using private contractors, disregarding Vatican City’s legal boundaries. Despite admissions of illegal activities such as secret recordings and unauthorized surveillance, no criminal charges have been brought against these officials. This trial not only casts a spotlight on issues of governance and transparency within the Vatican but also prompts renewed scrutiny of its historical involvement in intelligence operations, dating back to the World Wars. It brings up broader questions about the city-states organizational structure. Especially, its intelligence-gathering capabilities, and its role in global geopolitics particularly in regions like China where the church operates covertly. (Access here.)

    A Background Check Logjam Is a National Security Problem - Cipher Brief, 02 Jul 2024

    “It’s unacceptable how we got to where we are, and we need to turn this thing around…We’re eight and a half years into a three-year program. We’ve spent $1.345 billion on a $700 million dollar program that was begun in 2016. That’s why I also have a sense of urgency…That’s why we did this 90-day review.” That was David Cattler, the relatively new Defense Department (DoD) Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), speaking last Thursday before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce. Cattler was talking about turning around a long-delayed computerized personnel vetting system to modernize security investigations, evaluations, and adjudications for 95 percent of all Federal government employees. That was why the subcommittee hearing’s subject was: “Security at Stake: An Examination of DoD’s Struggling Background Check System.” Cattler’s agency, DCSA, is the Federal government’s largest investigative service provider. Last year the agency conducted 2.7 million investigations, 668,000 adjudicative decisions, and the continuous vetting of over 3.8 million Federal employees. (Access here.)

    A blue ribbon goat: the Rockefeller Commission, public opinion, and the ford administration’s intelligence reform failure - International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, 28 Jun 2024

    After allegations of the US intelligence community conducting illegal operations that targeted American citizens, 1975 became known as the Year of Intelligence. The subject dominated national discourse and led to competing programmes of intelligence oversight proposed by Congress and the executive branch. This article examines the Ford administration’s programme that started with the Rockefeller Commission in January 1975 and ended with the issue of Executive order 11,905 in 1976. It argues that neither were enough to stave off Congress intruding on executive control of the intelligence community, because the Ford administration inaccurately measured the public’s demands for genuine reform. (Access here.)

    Unravelling effectiveness in intelligence: a systematic review - Intelligence and National Security, 28 Jun 2024

    Effectiveness is a term often used in intelligence studies. However, what effectiveness means in relation to intelligence remains elusive and intelligence effectiveness is studied from a wide variety of viewpoints. This paper aims to understand the concepts of effectiveness of intelligence and seeks to gain greater insight into what drives effectiveness. Reviewing 176 studies from 12 journals this paper identifies four paradigms of intelligence effectiveness – utility, intelligence failure, precision, and rigor- and describes distinct perspectives within each paradigm, the constructs used to determine effectiveness, and their antecedents. Analysis of the results shows that the paradigms of intelligence effectiveness are interrelated. In addition, paradigms and their constructs can be sequenced, revealing gaps in our knowledge, and providing an agenda for further research. (Access here.)

    Top secret cloud and AI loomerism - Australian Security Policy Institute, 04 Jul 2024

    Intelligence and defence are now data enterprises, which means they are AI enterprises. The volume and velocity of data is well beyond human scale. To extract actionable insights, shorten decision loops and empower our spies and warfighters, data must be handled at machine speed. Human-machine teaming is our only viable path forward. The announcement by Amazon Web Services (AWS) today of a $2 billion strategic partnership with the Australian government for a top secret cloud is a much needed technology boost that will bring our intelligence and defence communities up to par with the US and Britain. But this new technology should also trigger radical organisational changes within these organisations that reflect the new reality and the necessity of human‑machine teaming. Such changes will optimise the cloud’s capabilities, the value of the data that traverses it, and the power of the AI models it will feed. The conservative world of intelligence will consider these organisational changes heretical. But they are necessary. (Access here.)

    The Latest from International Spy Museum Historian Andrew Hammond, PhD.

    Spycast is the official podcast of the International Spy Museum and hosts interviews with intelligence experts on matters of HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, OSINT, and GEOINT. Spycast is hosted by historian Andrew Hammond, PhD.

    02 Jul | The National Intelligence Council with Michael Collins (71 mins) This week, Andrew was joined in the studio by Michael Collins, the current acting chair of the National Intelligence Council. The NIC is an incredibly important, yet often overlooked, constituent of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence – Among many other roles and responsibilities, the NIC leads the production of the Annual Threat Assessment and Global Trend publications. With decades of experience in the Intelligence Community as an analyst and seasoned leader in the field, Michael Collins is perhaps the perfect person to help our listeners better understand the NIC and the critical bridge it builds between agencies, the intelligence they collect, and policymakers. Tune in to learn more!

    Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

    (Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
    and Recent Endeavors)

    The Latest Insights from Former CIA Acting Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine.

    In Other News The proprietary analytic newsletter crafted for The Arkin Group's private clients by former CIA Acting Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine.

    20 Jun | Modern warfare is raising key questions about how nations can best support allies at war. Before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the trend for much of the West was withdrawals- the United States had exited Afghanistan and was attempting to ratchet down its involvement in the Middle East, and France was exiting parts of West Africa. But with two Western allies now involved in active battles in Gaza and Ukraine, the issue of how to best support an ally at war – including through sending soldiers, weapons, money, or sharing intelligence and technology - has again come to the fore. (Full report here.)

    Daily Analysis of Security Issues and Geopolitical Trends

    Intel Brief The Soufan Center's flagship, daily analytical product focused on complex security issues and geopolitical trends that may shape regional or international affairs. The Soufan Center was founded by former FBI Special Agent and Soufan Group CEO Ali Soufan.

    09 Jul | Gaza Ceasefire Gaps Narrow

    U.S. and regional officials have been frustrated at the lack of movement toward the adoption of a three-phase roadmap for a settlement of the Gaza war articulated by President Joseph Biden on May 31. Even though the Biden plan was almost identical to proposals made by both Hamas and Israel, the two combatants have since raised objections and sought to shape the plan to their advantage, avoiding outright acceptance. However, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is facing significant pressure from the families of remaining Israeli hostages to agree to a compromise that brings them back home. IDF leaders also appear to want to refresh the force and improve military readiness in preparation for what might be a looming major confrontation with Lebanese Hezbollah as clashes across the Israel-Lebanon border escalate.

    08 Jul | Iranian Voters Rally to Elect a Reformist as President

    05 Jul | Amidst the Third Round of Doha Talks, the Taliban Continues its Oppression of Afghan Women

    03 Jul | Regional Conflict Intersects in Syria

    Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and former CIA Chief Operating Officer Andy Makridis on critical security challenges.

    Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch is a Beacon Global Strategies podcast.

    02 Jul | Signals Intelligence & Cybersecurity: George Barnes Andy talks with the former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency George Barnes about the NSA's missions focused on signals intelligence and cybersecurity, as it also adapts to emerging strategic challenges like competition from China and Russia. George also shares his take on quantum computing and AI, and discusses how the NSA tries to recruit and retain some of the world’s most skilled workers.

    ‘There’s a price for being Russia’s enemy’: Putin, Kim aim to intimidate U.S. with Former CIA Chief of Station Moscow Daniel Hoffman - Washington Times, 02 Jul 24 (Member Contribution)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin needs North Korea — not just for its weapons, but also to help deliver a warning to the U.S. and its allies: There will be a significant price to pay for any nation that gets on the Kremlin’s bad side. That was one of the key points made by former CIA Moscow station chief Daniel N. Hoffman, who said during an online forum Tuesday that Mr. Putin’s recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was an acknowledgment by Moscow that it has become increasingly reliant on pariah states such as North Korea amid diplomatic isolation and heavy economic sanctions from the West. (Access here.)

    What Does Joe Biden Have Against Gray Whales? - by Former CIA Officer and AFIO Founding Member Lewis Regenstein - Wall Street Journal, 27 Jun 24 (Member Contribution)

    The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced June 13 that the Native American Makah Tribe in Washington state will be allowed to resume hunting Eastern North Pacific gray whales. This decision contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s climate and energy policies. The administration has dismayed and alienated millions of Americans by advocating policies that harm endangered species and other wildlife and cause much cruelty and suffering to billions of farm and domestic animals. The justifiable frustration and anger felt by animal lovers and conservationists could cost President Biden re-election. (Access here.)

    Using Intelligence to Control Weapons of Mass Destruction (58 mins) with former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer and CIA Senior Analyst Robert Clark - John Hopkins University's Inside Intelligence Podcast, 26 Jun 24 (Member Contribution)

    Robert M. Clark previously was a faculty member of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Intelligence Community Officers’ Course and course director of the DNI’s Introduction to the Intelligence Community course. Clark served as a USAF electronics warfare officer and intelligence officer, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. At CIA, he was a senior analyst and group chief. He subsequently was the founder, President and CEO of the Scientific and Technical Analysis Corporation. He is the author of Intelligence Analysis: A Target-centric Approach (6th edition, 2019), The Technical Collection of Intelligence (2010), and Intelligence Collection (2014). He is a co-author, with Dr. William Mitchell, of Target-Centric Network Modeling (2015) and Deception: Counterintelligence and Counterdeception (2018); and, co-editor, with Dr. Mark Lowenthal, of Intelligence Collection: The Five Disciplines (2015). His newest book, The Road to Geospatial Intelligence: The Story of GEOINT, was published in 2020. Clark holds a BS from MIT, a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, and a JD from George Washington University. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Bar. (Access here.)

    Former CIA Collection Management Officer on Life with Former CIA Collection Management and Language Officer Esther Atwell - Grey Dynamics, 28 Jun 24

    Welcome back to the Grey Dynamics Podcast! Today we are talking to Esther Atwell, a former linguist and an ops-certified Collection Manager Officer who spent over a decade at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Esther has had a varied career beyond intelligence, working as a tutor, realtor and court interpreter in Hawaii. We discussed working in the CIA and overseas, what it takes to work in intelligence, immigrating to the US and much more. Esther is also the partner of our previous guest, Former CIA Senior Operations Officer John Atwell. (Access here.)

    Alarmism About Terrorism Is Risky and Unjustified by former CIA Senior Analyst Michael J. Ard and CATO Institute's Alex Nowrasteh - Discourse, 02 Jul 24

    In their recent Foreign Affairs article “The Terrorism Warning Lights Are Blinking Red Again,” Harvard professor Graham Allison and former acting CIA director Michael J. Morell (henceforth A&M) argue that signs of imminent terrorist attacks on the U.S. are as strong now as when CIA director George Tenet warned about them before the 9/11 attacks. “Given the stakes, complacency is a greater risk than alarmism,” A&M reason. “Simply put,” they claim, “the United States faces a serious threat of a terrorist attack in the months ahead.” A&M paint an ominous picture, but a reasonable level of concern is better than alarmism or complacency. Attacks on U.S. soil committed by terrorists who crossed the southern border are a possibility, but the wisest options are not to do nothing or to panic. There is an entire spectrum of concern between those routes that policymakers and the public should embrace. Terrorism is uncommon and difficult-to-impossible to predict, and—with some dramatic exceptions—it inflicts small amounts of damage the overwhelming majority of the time. (Access here.)

    Trump Verdict and Foreign Influence Ops by former CIA Senior Operations Officer John Atwell - Hawaii Tribune Herald, 01 Jul 24

    International news focused on security issues remains awash with reports on foreign covert influence operations against elections, societal stability, and charged political events world wide. Some targets are far from our homeland (in Europe), some are closer (in South America), and others share our border (Canada, Mexico). The United States is, of course, a target, too. (Remember Russian and Chinese intelligence agencies’ efforts to exploit the Maui fires last Fall?) Forensic investigations by universities and think tanks (like the Carnegie Partnership for Countering Influence Operations), analysis of open source intelligence by defense contractors (such as ManTech), reporting from national-level espionage agencies (the U.K.’s MI6 and France’s DGSE), and even efforts by U.S. corporations (like OpenAI) firmly pin most of the activity on Russia, China, and Iran. (A recent exception: Israel’s blown covert social media campaign to influence U.S. legislators’ thinking about ongoing attacks on Hamas.) (Access here.)

    Inside the CIA (118 mins) with former CIA Targeting Officer Bandon Blackburn - The Anti-Hero Podcast, 01 Jul 24

    The boys are joined by Bandon Blackburn, a former CIA Targeting Officer, who gives a good insight into the hiring process and jobs of the CIA. (Access here.)

    George Hocker broke through barriers as one of the CIA’s first Black spymasters with Former CIA Director Special Assistant and Ops Officer George Hocker - NBC News, 04 Jul 24

    When George Hocker underwent a grueling training course to become a CIA spy, much of America was still segregated. That meant Hocker, as a Black man, could not go to restaurants in Virginia to meet with agency instructors playing the part of foreign informants. Different exercises had to be developed for Hocker. “I had to have car meetings, whereas my classmates could go and have a nice meal in a restaurant,” he said. Out of a class of 75, Hocker was the only Black person. He passed the course and went on to blaze a trail as one of the Central Intelligence Agency’s first Black clandestine officers, the first to open a CIA station abroad and the first to lead a branch inside the Directorate of Operations. (Access here.)

    The Next PM will be hit by the 'gravity' of the role with Former MI6 Chief Sir Alex Younger - ITV News, 03 Jul 24

    It is the moment when any incoming prime minister is forced to think of the magnitude of their new role. Following long weeks of campaigning - of baby-holding and handshakes - the writing of ‘the letters of last resort’ is when it becomes clear that running the country is about more than mere politics. If Labour wins the General Election, one of Sir Keir Starmer’s early tasks will be to handwrite a letter to Britain’s nuclear submarine commanders instructing them how to respond to an attack which has potentially killed him and wiped out the UK. "I know that’s been the case for his predecessors, where suddenly the gravity of what he has volunteered for, when you think about the enormity," says Sir Alex Younger, the former MI6 chief. (Access here.)

    Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

    Books — Forthcoming, Newly Released, Overlooked

    Code Name: Spike - The Dawn of the Cold War, CIA, and U.S. Army Special Forces - A Groundbreaking WWII Memoir
    by Jacek Waliszewski, Steven Bizic, Joseph S. Kosky
    (23 Jun 24)

    America's first intelligence agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), was forged in the fires of WWII. OSS agents soon became active in every theater of the war and carried out daring and covert operations, yet their critical contributions and brave work has remained shrouded in mystery — until now. Discover the stunning true story of Steven Bizic and the men of SPIKE team as they descend into darkness, landing amidst the turmoil of a nation torn apart by civil war and years of Nazi occupation. Facing the looming threat from fascists and the insidious influence of communism, the men of SPIKE must navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is rare and betrayal lurks around every corner. Originally penned at the end of WWII, this groundbreaking tell-all has only been recently discovered, shedding incredible light on the creation of U.S. Special Operations, the chaos of WWII, and the people trapped in between.

    Purchase book here.

    Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Canada's Greatest Spy
    by Jason Bell
    (Harper Collins, 26 Sep 23)

    In public life, Dr. Winthrop Bell of Halifax was a Harvard philosophy professor and wealthy businessman. But as MI6 secret agent A12, he evaded gunfire and shook off pursuers to break open the emerging Nazi conspiracy in 1919 Berlin. His reports, the first warning of the Nazi plot for WWII, went directly to the man known as C, the mysterious founder of MI6. Throughout this, a powerful fascist politician quietly worked to suppress Bell’s alerts. Nevertheless, agent A12’s intelligence sabotaged the Nazis in ways that are only now being revealed. Bell became a spy once again in the face of WWII. In 1939, he was the first to crack Hitler’s deadliest secret code: the Holocaust. But the führer was a popular politician who said he wanted peace. Could anyone believe Bell’s shocking warning? Fighting an epic intelligence war from Ukraine, Russia and Poland to France, Germany, Canada and Washington, DC, A12 was the real-life 007, waging a single-handed fight against madmen bent on destroying the world. Without Bell’s astounding courage, the Nazis might just have won the war. Informed by recently declassified documents, Cracking the Nazi Code is the first book to illuminate the astonishing exploits of Winthrop Bell, agent A12.

    Order book here.

    Hall of Mirrors: Virginia Hall: America's Greatest Spy of WWII
    by Craig Gralley
    (Chrysalis Books, LLC, 26 Feb 19)

    In World War II France, she went by the name of Marie. Or Brigitte. Or any of a half dozen other names. Some saw her as a middle-aged newspaper reporter. To others, she was a doddering old woman. To the Nazis, she was an elusive enemy, "The Lady Who Limps." Her real name was Virginia Hall. She had a wooden leg. And she was a spy. As the Allies' first agent to live behind the lines in Vichy France, she organized resistance groups, helped conduct sabotage operations, and reported secret intelligence back to the Allies. She was one of the first women agents in the CIA and was the only civilian woman of the war to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. This is the story of Virginia Hall and her immense personal courage and determination, and how she broke through the barriers of physical limitation and gender discrimination to become America's greatest spy of World War II.

    Order book here.

    True Intelligence Matters on Film - Declassified: The Untold Stories of American Spies, S1 E5 - Cross International: The Billion Dollar Black Market - Domini Hofmann (2016)

    Investigations begin on an undercover sting operation to stop illegal arms; led by ICE and Homeland Security.

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




    Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

    Infographic: Biden and Trump: The Least-Liked Presidential Candidates in Over 30 Years - Visual Capitalist, 04 Jul 24

    As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches in about four months, a quarter of Americans have unfavorable views towards both major party candidates – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. This graphic shows the percentage of people who have had unfavorable views of both candidates since the 1988 presidential election. (View graphic here.)

    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 VI - Obituaries and Classifieds

    (Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

    Obituaries

    Noel Firth — Former Acting Director of CIA's Office of Strategic Research

    On 26 June 26 2024, Noel Edward Firth, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Vienna, Virginia. Kind, quick witted and extremely sociable, Noel was a good friend to many. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Noel was the youngest of five boys. His mother died when Noel was very young. Times were tough but Noel excelled. Noel was married on February 28, 1953 to Joan Wiedemann. He then went into the U.S. Army, serving first with the military police and then later becoming the Company Clerk. Afterwards, Noel attended and graduated from Yale University. Noel then started working for the CIA and enjoyed a long, distinguished and fulfilling career. Early on, the Agency sent him to Harvard University where he completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration; years later the Agency sent him to the National War College for one year. Noel held multiple positions at the CIA including, Project Officer for an ADP system; Chief of the Cost Analysis Branch, Programs Analysis Division, Office of Strategic Research (OSR); Chief of the Programs Analysis Division, OSR, and Deputy Director of the OSR. Noel loved his work. From February of 1976 to November of 1976 Noel held the position of Acting Director of the OSR. From January 1977 – 1980, Noel served as the Director of the Office of Imagery Analysis. In 1980 Noel returned to work as a senior member of the National Foreign Assessments Center, working on Intelligence Community issues. Noel, together with Jim Noren, co-authored the book, "Soviet Defense Spending". In 1987, Noel started as Officer in Residence at Georgetown University and found his time there teaching economics extremely rewarding.

    Don Burns — Former CIA Officer

    Donald Dean Burns, 86, of Reston, VA passed away on May 26, 2024 with his family by his side. Don grew up in Festus, Missouri. After graduating Festus High School, Don served in the Korean War and was discharged in 1962. He was recruited out of the Army to the Central Intelligence Agency and the Washington DC area. He had a successful career in a variety of positions at the Agency traveling to Japan, the Philippines, Florida, and a short stint in Germany.

    Haviland Smith — Decorated Former CIA Chief of Station, Tradecraft Pioneer

    Haviland Smith Jr., 95, who was born in New York City, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024 at his home in Monroe Township, New Jersey. In Ridgewood, New Jersey he attended New England boarding schools — The Fenn School in Concord, Massachusetts and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. From Exeter, he went to Dartmouth College where he played hockey and lacrosse and received a degree in Russian in 1953. After leaving Dartmouth during the fall of his senior year, he served three years in the Army Security Agency during which time he was taught Russian at the Army Language School in Monterrey, California. This was followed by an honorable discharge and by two years of graduate work at London University in Russian regional studies. During his time in London, he was approached by the CIA, and when he returned to the U.S. in 1956, he signed on with them. After two years of training, he was posted to Prague and from there to Berlin in 1960. His experience in Prague and Berlin led him to concentrate on the development of techniques for handling agents in hostile, heavily surveilled environments. Ultimately, he came up with the philosophy — you can never be sure you are not under surveillance — and the tradecraft — working in the “gap”, brush contacts, car tosses, etc. — that made it possible for the CIA to successfully handle productive agents throughout the then Soviet empire. These are all discussed in “The Moscow Rules” by Antonio and Jonna Mendes, “A Secret Life” by Benjamin Weiser and “The Billion Dollar Spy” by David E. Hoffman. During subsequent tours abroad in the Middle East he focused on the recruitment of Soviets and East Europeans. He later learned from CIA headquarters management that he was the first CIA officer ever to target, develop and recruit a Soviet source. When he managed that again he was the first to have done it twice. He was twice rewarded with the Intelligence Medal of Merit for those efforts. His tours in headquarters included as executive assistant to the deputy director, as chief of the counterterrorism staff and as chief of operational support for CIA’s worldwide Soviet and East European recruitment operations. He was also chief of two of the Agency’s field stations.

    Robert Clark — Decorated Former Military Intelligence Officer

    Lt Col Robert J. Clark, 78, of Plano, passed away at his home Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Robert was born in Cambridge Massachusetts and graduated from St Johns Seminary in 1967. He was commissioned in the Air Force in 1968 as a Military Intelligence Officer. He served twenty-six years in the military with assignments in Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, and Texas. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. His most honored memories were his working with and supporting Air Force commandos during the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he went to work for EDS where he worked for over 20 years. He obtained his master’s degree from St Edwards University in 1979. Robert was a member of The Association of Former Intelligence Officers and the Military Officers Association.

    Bob Hortin — Former CIA Senior Support Officer

    Robert Dale "Bob" Hortin, 86, died on 18 May 2024 following a brief illness. Bob attended the University of Missouri on an ROTC scholarship where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. After completing his U.S. Naval service, Bob was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency where he served nearly 27 years as a support officer. Bob was one of the last officers out of Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and one of the first Agency officers to serve in Germany following reunification. Given Bob's passion for U.S. history, it is fitting that he volunteered at Antietam National Battlefield nearly 25 years following his retirement from the CIA.

    Doris Allen — Military Intelligence Corp Hall of Fame Inductee, Bronze Star Recipient, Intelligence Analyst

    Doris Allen, 97, an Army intelligence analyst during the Vietnam War whose warning about the impending attacks in early 1968 by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces that became known as the Tet offensive was ignored by higher-ups, died on June 11 in a hospital in Oakland, Calif. Specialist Allen, who enlisted in the U.S. Army’s Women’s Army Corps in 1950, volunteered to serve in Vietnam in 1967, hoping to use her intelligence training to save lives. She had been the first woman to attend the Army’s prisoner of war interrogation course and worked for two years as the strategic intelligence analyst for Latin American affairs at Fort Bragg, N.C., now Fort Liberty. Working from the Army Operations Center in Long Binh, South Vietnam, Specialist Allen developed intelligence in late 1967 that detected a buildup of at least 50,000 enemy troops, perhaps reinforced by Chinese soldiers, who were preparing to attack South Vietnamese targets And she pinpointed when the operation would start: Jan. 31, 1968. In an interview for the book “A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women Who Served in Vietnam” (1986), by Keith Walker, Specialist Allen recalled writing a report warning that “we’d better get our stuff together because this is what is facing us, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen on such and such a day, around such and such a time.” She said she told an intelligence officer: “We need to disseminate this. It’s got to be told.” But it wasn’t. She pushed for someone up the chain of command to take her report seriously, but no one did. On Jan. 30, 1968 — in line with what she predicted — the enemy surprised American and South Vietnamese military leaders with the size and scope of their attacks. Wounded U.S. soldiers aboard a makeshift ambulance weeks after the Tet Offensive started in Vietnam in 1968. Specialist Allen had warned the Army in late 1967 of a large-scale attack by the North on the South, even pinpointing when it would happen, but her intelligence went ignored. The Army’s refusal to take Specialist Allen’s analysis seriously suggested to her that she was viewed with prejudice, as a Black woman who was not an officer. She was one of about 700 women in the corps, known as WACs, serving in intelligence positions during the Vietnam era, and only 10 percent were Black. In 1991, she told Newsday, “My credibility was like nothing: woman — Black woman, at that.” In 2012, she told an Army publication: “I just recently came up with the reason they didn’t believe me — they weren’t prepared for me. They didn’t know how to look beyond the WAC, Black woman in military intelligence. I can’t blame them. I don’t feel bitter.” Lori S. Stewart, a civilian military intelligence historian for the Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, said in an email that Specialist Allen’s analysis was not the only one that went unheeded. “Both national and theater-level organizations believed an enemy offensive was likely sometime around the Tet holiday,” she wrote, but “too many conflicting reports and preconceptions led leaders to misread the enemy’s intentions.” Regarding Specialist Allen, Mrs. Stewart added, “Like many other intelligence personnel in country, she was a diligent and observant intelligence analyst doing what she was supposed to do: evaluate the enemy’s intentions and capabilities.” Specialist Allen was inducted into the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame in 2009. Doris Ilda Allen was born on May 9, 1927, in El Paso. Ms. Allen graduated from Tuskegee Institute (now University) in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She taught at a high school in Greenwood, Miss., and enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps the next year. After basic training, she auditioned for the WAC Band, playing trumpet. But she and two other Black woman were told afterward by a chief warrant officer that “they couldn’t have any Negroes in the band,” she recalled in “A Piece of My Heart.” She served in a number of roles over the next dozen or so years: as an entertainment specialist, organizing soldiers shows; the editor of the military newspaper for the Army occupation forces in Japan during the Korean War; a broadcast specialist at Camp Stoneman, Calif, where her commanding officer was her sister, Jewel; a public information officer in Japan; and an information specialist at Fort Monmouth, N.J. In the early 1960s, Specialist Allen learned French at the Defense Language Institute and completed her training in the prisoner of war interrogation course at Fort Holabird, Md. She completed interrogation and intelligence analyst courses at Fort Bragg. After asking to go to South Vietnam, she arrived in October 1967 for the first of her three tours of duty there. “I had so many skills, so much education and training being wasted in various posts around the country that I decided I wanted to make a difference in a high-action post like Vietnam,” she told Lavender Notes, a publication for older LGBTQ+ adults, in 2020. After serving 10 more years in the Army she retired as a chief warrant officer. By then she had received her master’s degree in counseling from Ball State University in Indiana in 1977. After her military service, she worked with a private investigator, Bruce Haskett, whom she had met when they were in counterintelligence. She earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, Calif., in 1986, and mentored young psychologists. “She was incredibly savvy about people and had an innate ability to size people up quickly,” Mr. Haskett said in an interview. “She was the kind of person who could walk into a pit of vipers and have everybody eating out of her hands in 15 minutes.”

    Bill Queen — Former NSA Cryptographer, Inventor, US Patent Holder, NASA Medal Recipient

    William E. "Bill" Queen, 85, passed away at home in Titusville, Florida, June 15, 2024. He died of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. Bill was born in a log cabin in western North Carolina where he grew up and spent the first eighteen years of his life. Bill attended Sylva High School, where he was the 1956 Salutatorian. He was awarded a US Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of South Carolina and entered the School of Engineering. In 1960, Bill graduated third in the university, first in engineering, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In July 1960, he received his commission as an Ensign, U.S.Navy, married Lois Bradley, and reported to his military assignment at the Naval Security Station in Washington, D. C., an arm of the National Security Agency. Bill was assigned to Secure Communications. His work, which focused on cryptography and randomization, resulted in Bill receiving both an NSA Original Invention Award and a US patent. He loved his work and moved to civilian status with the National Security Agency at Ft. Meade, Maryland. For twenty years, Bill continued his collaborations in developing secure communications and solving problems for U. S. security equipment. He earned an MSEE from the University of Maryland; and in 1974 he was selected to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, now part of the National Defense University at Ft. McNair, graduating in 1975 with an MS in Government Administration and National Security Affairs from George Washington University. In 1980, Bill joined NASA as the Director, Electronic Engineering, Kennedy Space Center. He enjoyed his work greatly and enthusiastically embraced his work on the Shuttle program, the International Space Station, and the retrofit of Pad B in the early 1980s. He was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for his work. Following his retirement, Bill entered the private sector, working with a number of companies on the Space Coast and teaching at the University of Central Florida.

    Denise MacGaffin — Spouse of former AFIO board member John MacGaffin

    Denise MacGaffin, 89, passed away on 10 June 2024 at her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Her husband of 51 years, John MacGaffin was by her side. She was born in Manhattan and raised in New York. After school she worked briefly as a John Robert Powers model and then moved to Washington where she worked at the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and met John MacGaffin. She accompanied John on a series of posts in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Cyprus and Turkey. All places she engaged culturally and artistically and used much of it in her paintings. She is survived by her husband, her sister Dierdre Englehart, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A funeral service will be held at St. Albans Church, Saturday, 13 July at 11 a.m.

    Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Papers: Frontiers in African Intelligence Studies - Special Issue of the Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. Africa faces a range of national and transnational security challenges, including from organized crime, cybercrime, terrorism, and separatism. As a result, Africa’s intelligence space is complex and involves many interlocutors and interlopers - African and non-African - pursuing a range of security interests and intelligence policy objectives. Actors include state intelligence, private intelligence, and a range of other non-state actor intelligence formations. At the same time, the role of intelligence in Africa influences security and policy in positive and negative ways. On the one hand, intelligence has informed peace support operations, contributed to thwarting transnational organized crime, and supported diplomatic engagements. On the other, intelligence has been abused to aide regime security, entrench corruption, and facilitate destabilization by external actors. This special issue will showcase research looking at how African intelligence services navigate threats and opportunities. The aim is to raise and explore fundamental questions regarding how intelligence can better inform policymakers and help them anticipate and act upon threats and opportunities in Africa and beyond. The special issue will solicit high-quality contributions from intelligence scholars as well as from scholarly policymakers. More information and submission instructions here. 01 Aug 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Information: Farewell Dossier. As noted in Peter Oleson's article (The Intelligencer, Vol. 29, No. 1, Winter/Spring 2024) on the Farewell Dossier case, there is controversy about the alleged explosion of the Siberian gas pipeline. One AFIO member is investigating the issue and would like to hear from anyone who was involved in the affair and willing to comment. Please email peter.oleson@afio.com.
    • Call for Papers: The Center for Cryptologic History (CCH) and the National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) invite proposals for papers and posters to be presented at the 19th Cryptologic History Symposium on April 30-May 2, 2025. The Symposium will be held in-person at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab Kossiakoff Center in Laurel, Maryland on Wednesday, April 30 - Thursday - May 1, 2025. Following the Symposium, attendees will be given an opportunity to tour the recently renovated National Cryptologic Museum on Friday, May 2, 2025 and learn about resources available through the National Cryptologic Museum Library. Attendees may also want to consider attending the 2025 NCF General Membership Meeting (GMM) which will precede the Symposium at the Kossiakoff Center on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. More information and submission instructions here. 05 Sep 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Submissions: 2024 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest - Cosponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and Naval Intelligence Professionals. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East offer real-world case studies in modern technology applied to enduring conflicts. Militaries around the globe are working to gain insights from these conflicts and apply them to their own situations and national interests. At the same time, U.S. Navy leaders aspire to double down on technological change in the face of meager resources and institutional resistance. This year’s Naval Intelligence Essay Contest challenges you to think about the roles of naval intelligence in this dynamic and uncertain future. Potential themes include: How can naval intelligence most effectively sense, understand, and convey insights from current conflicts while guarding against simplistic and misleading lessons?; Has integrating naval intelligence into the information warfare community positioned it most effectively to support the future Navy?; How might widespread Navy employment of unmanned systems affect naval intelligence?; In a world in which commercial providers sell targeting-quality maritime intelligence as a service, what is the role of naval intelligence professionals in a future Navy?; What lessons does the recent real-world employment of land-based fires against maritime platforms offer for naval intelligence? 31 July 2024 deadline. More information and submission instructions here.
    • 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.
    • Call for papers: Irregular Warfare Lessons Learned Since 9/11 - Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) and the Foreign Policy Research Institute's (FPRI) Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare conference in Annapolis, MD 17-18 September 2024 - 01 August Deadline. The conference aims to capture lessons learned, including positive and negative examples, in the conduct of irregular warfare operations around the world by US, allied, and partner nations and non-state actors after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Submissions should describe lessons learned from one of seven conference topics: Information Operations; Human Terrain; Logistics, Supply, and Maintenance Operations; Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Operations; Intelligence and Counterintelligence Activities; Engaging with Partner Forces; and Utilizing Local Police and Militia Forces in a Counterinsurgency. While Afghanistan and Iraq were the most prominent of the post-9/11 wars, the conference welcomes papers that draw on lessons learned from irregular warfare operations in the Philippines, Horn of Africa, the Sahel region of Africa, or elsewhere. More information here.
    • Call for information: Child of former CIA officers John and Mary Mae Roman seeks information about parents' careers. John Roman, Jr. (6 Feb 1924 - 20 Nov 1997) served in Munich (1953), Saipan (1955-1959), and Addis Ababa (1959-1960). He and his family returned to the US in 1960 and settled in Vienna, VA. He retired in 1969. Mary "Mae" P. Roman's (8 August 1926 - 12 December 2013) career probably started in Saipan (1955-1959). She served mostly at CIA Hqs, but also served in Accra and Kingston before retiring in 1986. If you have any information, please contact Susan Roman Bailey at suzen27@gmail.com.
    • Call for information: Paul Redmond requests members' input and suggestions for a chapter that he will be writing on Counterintelligence for the second edition of the Oxford University Handbook of National Security Intelligence (last edition published in 2010). Tentative Title: Challenges to Counterintelligence in 21st Century United States. Some examples of possible topics: Post- Ames reforms in CIA; DNI's NCIX/NCSC and its expansion into security role; leakers as a new threat; post-Cold-War cultural changes in the United States relating to USG CI and Security; post-911 concentration on terrorism perhaps at expense of CI; cyber threat from outside, cyber threat from inside (systems administrators); impacts of policy changes, such as transfer of some of CIA personnel data to OPM; impact/implications of DNI-imposed policy of "obligation to provide;" lessons learned and implemented from espionage/leak cases; impact/implementation of DNI promulgated "Insider Threat" policy; implementation by succeeding administrations of Presidential Decision Directives; effect of Congressional oversight on USG counterintelligence; impact of enhanced reporting requirements on contractors and contract employees; overall impact of the Internet and digital technologies on the CI craft; and impact of post-Cold war geopolitics on counterintelligence; impact of CIA involvement in military activities on CI; Attitudes of senior national security agencies management on CI. Published materials will be precleared with CIA's PCRB. Contact Paul Redmond at pjr@redmondfamily.net or 202-288-0671.
    • Call for information: In search of information on the career of my grandmother, Priscilla Griffin de Mauduit, at OSS-CIA, 1941-1965. She worked mostly in the Washington, DC office except for 1963-1965 in Miami during the Cuban crisis. Believed to have been forging documents during WWII and did some anti-communist research in the 1950s regarding Albania. She also worked on clothing disguises and "pocket litter". I have seen her personnel file for OSS, which has only the first 10 months of her employment beginning as a gs4 assistant in the security office doing applicant background checks. She started at OSS at the age of 50 and worked 7 years past the automatic retirement age of 65. As she was multi-lingual and knew Germanic script she moved early on into forging passports for agents. Any assistance would be appreciated. Contact Sharon C. Park at sharoncpark@gmail.com.
    • Call for information: AFIO member, author, and former CIA officer Michael Ard is researching the Peruvian communist terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and how intelligence made a difference in capturing its leaders. Anyone with information that would help with his research is asked to contact Michael at mard@jhu.edu.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Seeking information on Czech-U.S. relationship in the late 1970s and 1980s, including StB's techniques and effectiveness, exposition and expulsion of U.S. staff in Prague; conversely frequency of U.S. finding Czech intelligence operatives on U.S. soil. Have any former StB personnel spoken publicly about their previous work? Please email viveca.novak@gmail.com.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects:Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation. Research Topic: The research investigates the impact of technological advancements on the operations and effectiveness of the Russian illegals program. Your insights will be invaluable in understanding the evolving landscape of espionage and informing potential countermeasures. Confidentiality: Your anonymity will be strictly protected. No identifying information will be used in the dissertation or any subsequent publications unless otherwise agreed to. However, written transcripts of the interviews will be retained for academic purposes. Eligibility: If you possess relevant experience and are willing to share your expertise in a confidential setting, please email omid.townsend@kcl.ac.uk.
    • Call for Information: A documentary on the life and death of Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder needs some help. His family members received information that Bruno may have been approached by the CIA in the 1990s to help inform on Russian research activity in Antarctica. Bruno died whilst on a 1997 expedition there at Mirny under questionable circumstances as he was dubbed ' the western spy' on board. We are looking for anyone who may have any information in Bruno or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok. Contact Thomas Whitmore at Naomi.harvey@clockworkfilms.tv.
    • Call For Articles: AFIO's Journal, The Intelligencer. AFIO seeks authors for its section on "When Intelligence Made a Difference" in the semi-annual Intelligencer journal. Topics of interest for which we are seeking authors include:

      - The breaking of the Nazi U-boat SHARK encryption system.
      - How A.Q. Khan's nuclear proliferation efforts were uncovered and stopped.
      - How US intelligence found Usama Bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan.
      - How US intelligence discovered the Soviet's high speed Shkval torpedo.
      - Intelligence and the rescue of Scott O'Grady.
      - The hunt for Pablo Escobar.
      - How National Technical Means (NTM) have been used for environmental purposes (MEDEA Program).
      - Other topics are also welcome.

      Interested authors can contact The Intelligencer's senior editor, Peter Oleson, at peter.oleson@afio.com

    Jobs

    • 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.

    • Senior Director - Arkin Group - New York, NY

      • The Arkin Group is seeking candidates for a Senior Director position. We are a boutique global strategic intelligence firm that is based in New York and the clients we serve are financial institutions, law firms, tech companies and industrials, among others. The ideal candidate is someone with an intelligence background that includes experience working with sources in the field as well as strong analytical, writing and communication skills, and project management expertise. The position requires working well both collaboratively and independently. An advanced degree, several years of applicable experience in the government or commercial space and foreign language skills are preferred. If interested, please send a CV and writing sample to info@thearkingroup.com.

    • Research Associate - Arkin Group - New York, NY

      • The Arkin Group is seeking candidates for a Research Associate position. We are a boutique global strategic intelligence firm that is based in New York and the clients we serve are financial institutions, law firms, tech companies and industrials, among others. The ideal candidate is someone with extremely strong research, writing and communication skills who can work both collaboratively and independently and has a demonstrated interest in geopolitics. A bachelor’s degree is required. Experience studying or working abroad and foreign language skills are preferred. If interested, please send a CV and writing sample info@thearkingroup.com.

    • 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. All materials should be submitted online via interfolio link: https://apply.interfolio.com/138857 and indicate position search #24-26F in the subject line. For additional information, feel free to 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.

    • Wanted: Retired Federal Government Employees - NSA - Fort Meade, Maryland

      • The National Security Agency (NSA) may occasionally need skilled civilian retirees to augment the existing work force on high priority projects or programs. In order to fill these temporary positions quickly, we need to know who may be interested and available to return to work with us on a short notice basis as well as their skills. Retired federal government employees at NSA provide expertise and corporate knowledge to temporarily support mission requirements, manpower shortfalls, and/or mentor the next generation of Agency employees. Applications accepted until 30 September 2024.

      Additional information and application here.

    • 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

    18 Jul 24, 1130 (MT) - In-Person, Colorado Springs, CO - The AFIO Rocky Mountain Chapter hosts Bill Berry discussing "Philippines-China Territorial Conflict in the South China Sea and Possible U.S. Involvement." Abstract: There is another potentially contentious issue, besides Taiwan, that involves conflicting claims in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China. Unlike the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S., the U.S. and the Philippines have a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) negotiated in 1951 that remains in effect. Recently, China and the Philippines have engaged in increasing hostile actions in the South China Sea. China has used a variety of "grey zone" activities in the effort to intimidate the Philippines. The Biden administration has made it clear that its position is that the MDT applies to these conflicting claims. Consequently, the security relationship between the Philippines and United States has been enhanced. This presentation will explore the history of this potential conflict and possible outcomes. Bio: William E. Berry, Jr. is a retired Air Force colonel whose 30-year career included assignments in Vietnam (1969-70), the Philippines (1973-75), the Republic of Korea (1984-86), and Malaysia (1990-93). A Cornell PhD, he taught at the Air Force Academy, the National War College, and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. He is the author of two books: U.S. Bases in the Philippines: The Evolution of the Special Relationship and Global Security Watch Korea. For further information, contact Anthony Leto.

    30 Jul 24, 1900 (PT) - Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on challenges in Ukraine and across the Middle East - In-Person - Yorba Linda, CA - AFIO Los Angeles Chapter.
    Location: Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. Following the presentation, we will meet at 2030 hours for dinner at Chilis Grill (18380 Yorba Linda Blvd.). If you plan to attend, please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Vincent Autiero, President, AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter, at afio_la@yahoo.com

    01 Aug 24, 1800 (PT) - Director, Missile Defense Agency Lt Gen Heath Collins on the Missile Defense Agency - its responsibilities, its challenges and opportunities, and the importance of what the MDA does every day for our nation's security - In-Person - Simi Valley, CA - AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter.
    Location: Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum & Center, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley CA 93065. More details to follow. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Vincent Autiero, President, AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter, at afio_la@yahoo.com

    Mon, 5 Aug 2024, noon (CT) - San Antonio TX - In-Person - The AFIO San Antonio TX Chapter features video interview with Chip Beck, USN on "CIA Special Operations in Cambodia" and on Impact of Houthi Attack Boats on Red Sea Shipping. The first part of the program will be a video interview with Chip Beck, a US Naval officer turned CIA Special Operations Officer working in Cambodia. He has written a book about the last days as he and Cambodian allies fought the Khmer Rouge in this secret war in Cambodia. The non-fiction book is titled Final Days of Heroes. The second part of the program will be a look at the technology and impact of Houthi attack boats which have sunk one oil tanker and damaged several other civilian ships attempting to move into the Red Sea.
    Location: The Road Runner Lounge of The Towers at the Blue Skies Texas West complex, 5100 John D Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78245. Program starts at noon. All Blue Skies residents are encouraged to attend. AFIO Members attending should identify themselves to the Blue Skies gate guard as coming for the intelligence meeting in the Roadrunner Lounge at The Towers. AFIO members attending should park in front of The Towers. You may come early and have lunch in the dining room adjacent to the Roadrunner Lounge. Please pay with a credit card.
    Questions to John Franklin, President, AFIO San Antonio Chapter or call 210 863-0430

    Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    10 Jul 2024, 0900-0945 (ET) – Virtual – Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Rick Muller, Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and INSA VP for Policy Bishop Garrison - INSA, Washington DC

    Topics for discussion include: Emerging technology, including AI-supported tools; Enterprise solutions that will help the U.S. remain competitive; Impact of private sector manufacturing and technology development on IC innovation; Challenges facing the innovation ecosystem; and more! More information and free registration here.

    11 Jul 2024, 1830-2030 (ET) – In Person – Vintage Espionage wine tasting - The Fountain Inn, Washington D.C.

    Spyher presents Vintage Espionage wine tasting at The Fountain Inn, a small, intimate rare spirits tasting room with a speakeasy vibe located in Georgetown, Washington D.C. Immerse yourself in a world of mystery with a former intelligence officer turned sommelier, who for security reasons remains encrypted known only as DECANTER/1 (C/1). C/1 will present a blind tasting of 3x old-world and 3x new-world wines, guiding you through an assessment and evaluation of her selections. Along the way enjoy her stories from a life on the front lines of intelligence operations around the world, where she's lived and served as an expert in relationship building and persuasion. Bring your burning questions about wine and the world of espionage. More information and registration here.

    29 Jul 2024, 1300-1400 (BST) – Online – Former GCHQ Director Robert Hannigan on CI and Learning from the Secret World - Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), U.K.

    Counter-Intelligence, by Robert Hannigan, explores the role of the intelligence services in history and contemporary society, from the codebreakers and problem-solvers to innovation and creativity, secrecy, transparency and the global tech community. The book traces the history of counter-intelligence, while reflecting on some of the unique characteristics of the engineers, mathematicians and scientists who make up the world’s intelligence community. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mr Hannigan will discuss events from the early days of Bletchley Park to the ongoing work of GCHQ. He will also explain how the world of secret intelligence can provide insights into tackling problems in life and business. The webinar will be moderated by Gill Bennett, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow and former Chief Historian, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. More information and registrations here.

    20 Aug 24, 0900-1000 (ET) – Virtual – Beyond the Big Six: The Pivotal Roles of Lesser Known IC Agencies - INSA, Online

    Join us for a panel discussion focused on the operations of some of the smaller U.S. intelligence agencies. Moderated by The Hon. Sue Gordon, topics for discussion include: Supporting nuanced agency operations; What collection and analysis look like in their unique space; How they engage in interagency coordination and with international partners; and more! Plus, there will be ample time for audience Q&A! More information and free registration here.

    27-28 Aug 2024 – In Person – Intelligence & National Security Summit - INSA, Bethesda, MD

    Join nearly 2,000 government, academic, and industry leaders at #IntelSumit24, the nation's premier unclassified conference focused on critical intelligence and national security issues. The powerful, two-day program taking place on August 27-28 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, includes five plenaries, six breakout sessions, and an exhibit hall packed with the latest technology and service innovations. More information and registration 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.

    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

    Address Technical Issues Or Unsubscribe

    Some features of the email version of the WIN do not work for readers who have chosen the Plaintext Edition, some AOL users, and readers who access their email using web mail. You may request to change from Plaintext to HTML format here afio@afio.com. For the best reading experience, the latest web edition can be found here: https://www.afio.com/pages/currentwin.htm

    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.



    Disclaimer and Legal Protection

    Weekly Intelligence Notes (WINs) are a carefully selected collection of timely open source reports and announcements and other media focused on intelligence and related national security matters that is produced for non-profit educational use by AFIO members and WIN subscribers. WINs are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. They may not be reproduced or re-sent without specific permission from the Producer. Opinions expressed in the materials contained in the WINs are solely those of the content creators listed with each item. Notices in the WINs about non-AFIO events do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by AFIO.

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