Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

12 - 18 February 2025
(Issue 07)


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

CONTENTS


Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)

General Interests

Special Collections

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

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: The Ultimate Spy Documentary: Spies of War, Rewriting History - Get Factual (2024)

Intelligence in Pop Culture: Wes Anderson’s Espionage Drama The Phoenician Scheme Gets A Release Date - News18, 14 Feb 25

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

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



Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

  • Winfield Miller — Career NSA Security Officer

    • Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: CIA in 1970 FIFA World Cup or 1968 Olympic Games.
    • Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals.
    • Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programmer at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programmer: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
    • Information Sought: 1969 "KGB Wanted List"
    • Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks help establishing YouTube channel focused on Russian and Chinese influence operations.
    • Internship Opportunity: International private intelligence company accepting applications for analyst internship program.
    • Call for Information: Child of former CIA Como Officer Walter E. McLeod seeks information about father's life and work.
    • Call for Intelligence Studies Course Syllabi: Florida International University adjunct professor tasked with creating a new course is in search of existing syllabi to help build new content.
    • Call for Interviews: Documentary film executive seeking extraordinary, true story material.
    • Call for Online Survey Participants: Institution Review Board approved research project from Northeastern University on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts.
    • Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era.

    Employment

    Section VI - Events

    Upcoming AFIO Events

    Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

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


    Acknowledgments

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

    LC, KB, TM, FR, LR, PO, GR, CP, EB


    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.


    THE MARKETPLACE


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    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.
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    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 18 January 2025 released the photo above, which features some of their newest CIA items and other gift suggestions.

    		      

    ANNOUNCEMENTS


    - Released Today To Members Only -

    James M. Scott
    on his book (co-authored with Jack Carr):

    Targeted: Beirut
    The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing
    and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror

    Recorded: 12 Dec 24
    Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes
    Duration: 27 min (with Q&A)

    This behind-the-scenes account of a mission and a fight that changed America and ushered in the War on Terror highlights the pitfalls of American hubris and naivete, overreach, and irresponsible military intervention. It paints the picture of events before, during, and after the Beirut Bombing, from ancient history to present day. Told through voices of Marines, sailors, and soldiers who endured the two-year "peacekeeping" operation, the story is rounded out with information from leaders back in Washington. Another chapter in the story of the Middle East's centuries old internecine struggle among its inhabitants and the story of America paying a price for problematic policies.

    Purchase Targeted: Beirut here.
    More information about other James Scott books here.
    Information on Jack Carr, his bio and links here.

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

    - Letter to the Editor -

    Russian intelligence expert and Brunel University Lecturer in Intelligence and International Security Dr. Kevin Riehle addresses recent Wall Street Journal reporting on an allegedly new unit established by Moscow to carry out covert action operations. You can find a link to the Wall Street Journal article in the Deep Dives section of this week's WIN. You can read Dr. Riehle's letter here.

    - AFIO National Spring Luncheon -

    Friday, 21 February 2025, 1100 - 1400

    Registration has closed.
    We look forward to seeing all colleagues this Friday.

    Event features:

            

    The History of Intelligence - A Panel Discussion
    Panelists: CIA's Chief Historian David Robarge,
    National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and
    OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds

    		   Joby Warrick
    Author and a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Post

    Schedule:

    1030 Check-in (preregistered attendees, no walk-ins)

    1100 Panel on Intelligence History with CIA Chief Historian David Robarge, National Cryptologic Museum curator Vincent Houghton, and OSS scholar and CIA historian Nicholas Reynolds.

    12-1300 Lunch

    1300 Speaker: Washington Post National Security Correspondent Joby Warrick discusses current events in Syria and his 2021 book Red Line: The Unraveling of Syria and the Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World.

    1400 Event ends

    Venue:

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

    Registration and Cost:

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

    Registration has closed.

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

    Please direct questions to events@afio.com

    Event-Only Initial Release
    AFIO 50th Anniversary Coin

    Celebrate AFIO's 50th Anniversary with a new coin that reflects support of the Intelligence Community and highlights IC member agencies. First available for purchase at the 21 February 2025 Spring Luncheon for the special "Event-Only" price of $40.00, which includes an acrylic stand. (Note: Stands may vary in appearance.)
    The coin will later be available online for $50 (including stand and shipping). Availability will be announced in the Weekly Intelligence Notes in the coming weeks.

    - AFIO Scholarship -

    Applications Available 1 February 2025
    Five Undergrad, Five Graduate Scholarships
    $5,000 EACH.

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

    View scholarship requirements here.

    - New From the International Spy Museum -

    Guided Tour. The International Spy Museum announces new guided public tours for its visitors through its volunteer docent program, The Honorable William H. Webster Docent Corps. On Fridays and Sundays at 11 AM and 1 PM, volunteer docents will lead visitors through a special one-hour long highlights tour of the permanent exhibit and will answer questions about the material. More information: here.

    Volunteer Opportunity. If folks are interested in applying to be a volunteer docent, they can submit an application until February 21. Decisions will be made by March 31. Apply here.

    Podcast Reboot. The longest-running podcast on intelligence, the International Spy Museum’s SpyCast, gets a full refresh, kicking off the new year with a brand-new host, length, and format. Partnering with creative audio agency Goat Rodeo and curated podcast network Airwave, the Museum will pivot from its longform interview format to the production of shorter, narrative-driven 25-minute episodes that answer specific questions about intelligence tradecraft, headlines, or processes that fascinate and mystify audiences. More information here.

    National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA) - High School Students Grades 10-12
    14-18 July 2025 - Cumming, GA

    University of North Georgia, Cumming Campus,
    300 Aquatic Circle Cumming, GA 30040

    Are you thrilled or fascinated by the field of intelligence – spying and counter spying?

    Are you considering a career in the U.S. Intelligence Community? Did you know that the U.S. Intelligence Community is made up of 18 separate agencies? Sign up for an intense and exciting five days of learning from intelligence practitioners, University of North Georgia instructors, and highly qualified MA and Ph.D. degree holders.

    This Academy will: Lift the veil of secrecy on the hidden world of intelligence, exploring the history, challenges, and controversies; Provide a context for understanding the important role intelligence has played in our nation's history and continues to play today; Provide foundational knowledge of intelligence, setting the stage for possible careers in the field; Provide opportunities to learn from the Academy's instructors include academia, practitioners, and guest speakers.
    Hear from experts that have worked with the CIA, FBI, and the former Soviet Union KGB.
    Explore, Apply, Learn more

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

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


    AFIO Exclusive Content

    Latest AFIO Now Audio Podcast

    AFIO Now Podcasts Presents:

    Mickey Bergman on his co-authored book In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad

    Michael "Mickey" Bergman, Global Reach CEO and Richardson Center for Global Engagement VP and ExDir, discusses his book, coauthored with Ellis Henican, about his never-before-divulged negotiations that brought high-profile prisoners home from the likes of North Korea, Russia, and Hamas captors. Cases he worked included Brittney Griner, Danny Fenster, Otto Warmbier, and Trevor Reed.

    Interviewer: James Hughes, AFIO President
    Recorded: 26 Nov 2024
    Duration: 57 minutes, including Q&A

    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

    WIN Short-form Book Review
    (February 2025)

    Jeffrey Uncapher
    Former defense industry writer,
    longtime AFIO member

    reviews

    The Illusionist:
    The True Story of the Man Who Fooled Hitler

    by Robert Hutton
    (September 2024)

    Access review here.



    AFIO Now Archive

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

    Click here to watch interviews in the AFIO Now series released in 2025.
    View interviews from 2020 to 2024 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.

    Section I - CURRENTS

    (Recent Developments)

    General Interests

    Exclusive - Chinese Spy Balloon Was Packed With American Tech - News Week, 10 Feb 25 (Member Contribution)

    Chinese spy balloon that crossed over the United States in 2023 was packed with American technology that could have enabled it to spy on Americans, according to two sources with direct knowledge of a technical analysis conducted by the U.S. military. The discovery of a satellite communication module, sensors and other tech from at least five American firms underlines the failure of U.S. efforts to restrict exports of technology that could have military uses to main adversary China as well as to countries such as Russia and Iran. It also raises questions over the role of private companies that sell their equipment globally in keeping control over the ultimate users of dual-use technology that can have defense applications as well as civilian uses. A Chinese patent reviewed by Newsweek describes a communications system for exactly such a balloon as the one that crossed America, based on using a satellite transceiver from a U.S. company that the balloon's controllers in China would use to communicate with it and that would send data back, and that is easily available online.(Access here.)

    Elon Musk’s DOGE Posts Classified Data On Its New Website - Huffington Post, 14 Feb 25

    Candidates for top national security positions in the Trump administration have faced questions that appear designed to determine whether they have embraced the president’s false claims about the outcome of the 2020 election and its aftermath, according to people familiar with cases of such screening. The questions asked of several current and former officials up for top intelligence agency and law enforcement posts revolved around two events that have become President Donald Trump's litmus test to distinguish friend from foe: the result of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, according to the people, who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity. (Access here.)

    IRGC intelligence chief threatens US interests globally after Trump ultimatum - Iran International, 12 Feb 24

    The head of the IRGC Intelligence Protection Organization dismissed negotiations with the United States, calling them a "red line" and warning that any threat to Iran’s national interests would be met with reciprocal action worldwide. “If the US attempts any mischief, as the Supreme Leader has warned, we will respond decisively,” Brigadier General Majid Khademi said in the wake of US President Donald Trump's ultimatum for Iran to come to the negotiating table or risk military action. “Should they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they act on their threats, we are fully prepared to retaliate, putting their national interests at risk across the world," added Khademi. Last week, Trump reinstated his so-called "maximum pressure" policy on Iran, which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero. In several interviews, however, Trump said he preferred striking a deal to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon over bombing the country. (Access here.)

    OSINT gets its own subcommittee on House intelligence panel - Federal News Network, 11 Feb 25

    House lawmakers are increasing their focus on the intelligence community’s approach to open-source intelligence through a new OSINT subcommittee. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence announced the new OSINT subcommittee late last week. It will be led by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), who has been in Congress since 2012. She also served as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg from 2005 to 2009. “Open-source intelligence is essential for a wide audience of policymakers, decisionmakers, and other consumers who gain situational awareness without having to rely on classified or restricted sources,” Wagner said in a statement provided to Federal News Network. “Our adversaries are working together now more than ever before and for that reason they pose an even greater threat to the United States. Open-source intelligence helps provide a better understanding of the volatile playing field we find ourselves in.” (Access here.)

    The U.S. Air Force is Spying on the Cartels - The National Interest, 11 Feb 25

    Over a ten-day period in late January and early February, the US military flew at least 18 surveillance missions over the southwestern United States and around the Baja California peninsula. The target of the surveillance missions, presumably, is Mexican drug cartels. Historically, the United States has only flown about one surveillance on the US-Mexico border mission per month—meaning that such flights have increased significantly since President Trump was inaugurated in January. The increased surveillance flights along the US-Mexico border “highlight how the military has already begun shifting finite US national security capabilities away from overseas threats to focus on the southern border, where Trump has declared a national emergency,” CNN reported. (Access here.)

    Trump Announces New President’s Intelligence Advisory Board to Strengthen National Security - Homeland Security Today, 14 Feb 25

    On February 11, President Donald J. Trump announced a new President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB). This board will advise the President on the nation’s pressing security challenges, ensuring the Intelligence Community acts with integrity to uphold the America First agenda. He selected “a distinguished and trusted group of Patriots” with extensive professional experience according to the Presidential Action. The following individuals have been appointed to the PIAB: (Access here.)

    Trump runs defense for deep state with Mark Zaid clearance revocation - Washington Examiner, 11 Feb 25

    President Donald Trump is heavily focused on dismantling what he regards as a so-called “deep state” of government agencies that work for their own partisan agendas. This concern is especially important when it comes to the intelligence and security agencies, where if malfeasance occurs, it undermines our democratic society. However, if Trump wants to take on the deep state, why is he taking one of its most successful challengers off the field? Namely, Mark Zaid. A longtime national security attorney based in Washington, Zaid has held a high-level Top Secret-SCI government security clearance for more than 20 years. This clearance has allowed Zaid to represent members of the intelligence community whose concerns relate to highly classified information. Trump revoked Zaid’s clearance last week. The president’s apparent motive for the revocation is Zaid’s role in representing a whistleblower who alleged that Trump improperly pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call between the two leaders during Trump’s first term in office. (Access here.)


    Special Collections

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

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

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

    Section II - DEEP DIVES

    (Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

    Ten Lessons We Can Learn from the Illegals - The American Intelligence Journal, vol 41 No 2, 17 Feb 25

    Russia’s spy services have a shadowy new unit taking aim at the West with covert attacks across Europe and elsewhere, Western intelligence officials say. Known as the Department of Special Tasks, it is based in the Russian military-intelligence headquarters, a sprawling glass-and-steel complex on the outskirts of Moscow known as the aquarium. Its operations, which haven’t been previously reported, have included attempted killings, sabotage and a plot to put incendiary devices on planes. The department’s creation reflects Moscow’s wartime footing against the West, the officials said. It was set up in 2023 in response to Western support for Ukraine and includes veterans of some of Russia’s most daring clandestine operations in recent years, according to two European intelligence chiefs and other U.S., European and Russian security officials. The Kremlin sees the West as complicit in Ukraine’s attacks on Russia such as the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, the killings of senior officials in Moscow, and Ukrainian strikes using long-range Western missiles, according to these officials. Ukraine has denied it was behind the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. “Russia believes it is in conflict with what it calls ‘the collective West,’ and is acting accordingly, up to and including threatening us with nuclear attack and building up its military,” said James Appathurai, deputy assistant secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in charge of hybrid warfare. (Access here.)

    A New Spy Unit Is Leading Russia’s Shadow War Against the West - Wall Street Journal, 15 Feb 25 (Member Contribution)

    Russia’s spy services have a shadowy new unit taking aim at the West with covert attacks across Europe and elsewhere, Western intelligence officials say. Known as the Department of Special Tasks, it is based in the Russian military-intelligence headquarters, a sprawling glass-and-steel complex on the outskirts of Moscow known as the aquarium. Its operations, which haven’t been previously reported, have included attempted killings, sabotage and a plot to put incendiary devices on planes. The department’s creation reflects Moscow’s wartime footing against the West, the officials said. It was set up in 2023 in response to Western support for Ukraine and includes veterans of some of Russia’s most daring clandestine operations in recent years, according to two European intelligence chiefs and other U.S., European and Russian security officials. The Kremlin sees the West as complicit in Ukraine’s attacks on Russia such as the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, the killings of senior officials in Moscow, and Ukrainian strikes using long-range Western missiles, according to these officials. Ukraine has denied it was behind the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. “Russia believes it is in conflict with what it calls ‘the collective West,’ and is acting accordingly, up to and including threatening us with nuclear attack and building up its military,” said James Appathurai, deputy assistant secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in charge of hybrid warfare. (Access here.)

    Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service public report 2025 - Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service, 15 Feb 25

    The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service published its tenth public report which assesses Estonia's external security threats. The threat of a direct military attack on Estonia remains unlikely in 2025, but Russia’s policy towards us remains hostile, and its confrontation with the West continues. The report discusses Russia's military reform, the development of drone technology, nuclear intimidation, foreign policy and and domestic politics, sabotage campaigns and the activities of special services, as well as China-Russia relations, Chinese narratives about the war in Ukraine and much more. (Access here.)

    Russian Intelligence Infiltration: Efforts to Influence Trump’s Administration and Undermine U.S. Counterintelligence - Lansing Institute, 10 Feb 25

    Russia sought ways to infiltrate Donald Trump’s administration as early as his first term, using its well-established tactic of corrupting officials and individuals within the president’s inner circle who could be appointed to key positions in the U.S. According to The Washington Post, citing financial disclosures, in 2023, Kash Patel, a candidate for the position of FBI director, received $25,000 from Global Tree Pictures, a company owned by filmmaker Igor Lopatenok. Lopatenok, in turn, was funded by the Russian Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives and reportedly submitted his project for approval to Dmitry Peskov. The project aimed to halt U.S. aid to Ukraine. (Access here.)

    Spies in Loyal Service to Trump: With Gabbard, Ratcliffe and Ellis, a trifecta of worrisome appointments - SpyTalk, 13 Feb 25

    Intelligence community veterans and long-time observers of the U.S. spy world were certainly disturbed by President Donald Trump’s move to appoint former Democratic congresswoman—and Kremlin apologist—Tulsi Gabbard to be director of the 2,000-strong office of National Intelligence. By comparison, the spy world’s reaction to Trump’s appointment of former GOP Congressman John Ratcliffe, who was the ODNI chief for Trump during 2020 and 2021, as director of the CIA has been tolerant, if not exactly welcoming, even though Ratcliffe’s handling of some intelligence issues raised questions about his probity during his term as the titular head of U.S. intelligence. The New York Times reported that as DNI, Ratcliffe had contradicted analyses by intelligence professionals, offered GOP “operatives” top jobs at ODNI and released derogatory material about Hillary Clinton (which professionals feared could be Russian disinformation). Even so, Ratcliffe’s nomination by Trump to be his second-term CIA chief sailed fairly smoothly through the Senate, earning a bipartisan confirmation vote of 74-25. Then came the Senate’s ratification Wednesday of Gabbard to be DNI, despite the many misgivings about her advocacy for super-leaker Edward Snowden, her soft views of Putin and former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and her ties to a controversial Hindu cult. All of which was pretty astonishing, considering the Republicans' pre-Trump, decades-old hard line on defense and intelligence issues. (Access here.)

    Elon Musk Is Breaking the National-Security System: DOGE’s takeover of federal agencies is a counterintelligence crisis. - The Atlantic, 12 Feb 25

    Having the best spies, the best collection systems, and the best analysts will not help an intelligence service if it leaks like a sieve,” the former CIA speechwriter Charles E. Lathrop remarked in The Literary Spy, a book of quotations about espionage that he compiled. Lathrop, who wrote under a pseudonym, was making a point about counterintelligence—the flushing out of enemy spies and leakers who might compromise a spy agency’s precious secrets. Counterintelligence, Lathrop observed, “is the kidneys of national security: necessary, but unheralded until something goes wrong.” These days, something looks to have gone very wrong—with the kidneys and maybe with the brain, too. (Access here.)

    Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

    (Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
    and Recent Endeavors)

    How America’s Allies Boost U.S. Intelligence And Why Trump Threatens That Cooperation - by former CIA Ops Officer and Analyst David Gioe - Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb 25 (Member Contribution)

    Intelligence diplomacy—“liaison” is the term of art—is a key, if often hidden, element of national power. Washington has more liaison partners than is publicly known, because countries and even nonstate groups that do not wish to be seen engaging with American officials still speak with the United States government via clandestine channels. Traditionally, liaison relationships are unaffected by international politics and shifts in foreign policy; administrations come and go, and the intelligence flows uninterrupted. But occasionally, political developments are so dramatic that they intrude on intelligence liaison. (Access here.)

    What's Next with Kim Jong Un? (33 min) - with former CIA Analyst Jung H. Pak - SpyCast Podcast, 11 Feb 25

    North Korea is growing more dangerous, but no U.S. administration has been able to crack the code on its leader Kim Jong Un. Now, there’s even less incentive for Kim to negotiate because of the support he’s getting from Russia. So what will Kim do next, and where is he vulnerable? Jung H. Pak, a former CIA analyst who served as the country’s top diplomat for North Korea, takes us inside the mind of one of the world's most opaque leaders. (Access here.)

    Intelligence agencies must explain what they do - with Former GCHQ Cyber Chief Sir Jeremy Fleming - The Record, 13 Feb 25

    Amid a growing scandal over the British government’s reported attempt to force Apple to provide the country’s authorities with access to encrypted iCloud accounts, a former intelligence chief has called for more transparency from spy agencies. Speaking at the Munich Cyber Security Conference on Thursday, Sir Jeremy Fleming — who headed the cyber and signals intelligence agency GCHQ from 2017 to 2023 — said he felt “really strongly” the agency’s “license to operate” had to be based on public understanding and trust. Fleming’s comments came in the wake of The Washington Post reporting that senior politicians on the Senate Intelligence Committee were calling for the U.S. to limit intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom if the British legal notice was not retracted. (Access here.)

    On Gaza, Trump Says the Quiet Part Out Loud – and Then Some - with former ODNI Deputy Director for National Intelligence Beth Sanner - The Cipher Brief, 10 Feb 25

    Embedded in President Trump’s shocking proposal to “own” and develop the Gaza Strip are some uncomfortable truths and even some “common sense,” as he has described it. But then there is this: his plan is in fact ethnic cleansing, unacceptable morally and in clear violation of international law and norms. It almost doesn’t matter that the plan is completely unworkable and unlikely to move forward. There will be unintended consequences of the President of the United States speaking these words out loud, potentially risking peace in the Middle East itself. The thunder of criticism is completely justified, but ignoring three hard truths that the President has called out is not. First, given the vast devastation in Gaza and the suffering of its Palestinian residents, conditions in Gaza are inhumane, dangerous, and not sustainable for its two million residents. Second, if one just rebuilds Gaza without removing Hamas, the cycle of war and rebuilding will continue; Hamas says that it remains committed to Israel’s destruction. Third, Trump’s unwillingness to restate the long-held U.S. policy supporting a two-state solution accurately reflects that it is, as Dennis Ross recently put it, “little more than a slogan at this point.” This is true at least in part because two-thirds of both Israelis and Palestinians oppose it.  (Access here.)

    EI Talks...the myth and magic of spy fiction (56 min) - with former GCHQ Director David Omand - Engelsberg Ideas Podcast, 13 Feb 25

    Are we living through a golden age of espionage drama? And what do spy stories tell us about the true nature of the secret world? EI's Alastair Benn is joined by David Omand, ex-head of GCHQ, the British government’s world-renowned cyber agency, and author of How Spies Think, Pauline Blistène, an expert on intelligence affairs and spy fiction, and Senior Editor Paul Lay to discuss the enduring popularity and legacy of the spy in fiction. (Access here.)

    Why a former CSIS official says the U.S. is positioned for ‘another 9/11’ - with former Canadian Security Intelligence Service Executive Dan Stanton - Global News, 16 Feb 25 (Member Contribution)

    A former Canadian intelligence official is warning recent cuts by the new U.S. administration to its intelligence agencies could position the country for “another 9/11.” Dan Stanton, a former executive manager for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), said in an interview with The West Block’s Mercedes Stephenson that cuts are “degrading the efficiency” of the U.S. intelligence community, which could have a much bigger impact than just America’s borders. “Breaking up the FBI, buyouts at the CIA, other agencies as well,” he said. “That is basically positioning the United States for another 9/11 and, by extension, Canada’s vulnerable. So weakened national security in the United States impacts on us.” (Access here.)


    Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

    Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis
    by Yvonnick Denoël
    (Hurst, 03 Feb 25)

    "Officially" the Vatican has no espionage service; but does no one carry out intelligence operations on its behalf? During the Second World War and Cold War, Rome was teeming with spies. A band of undercover monsignors and priests hunted for Vatican "moles", led clandestine diplomacy, investigated assassinations of priests and other scandals threatening the Church, and conducted high-risk missions behind the Iron Curtain. Drawing on freshly released archives of foreign services that worked with or against the Holy See, Vatican Spies reveals eighty years of shadow wars and dirty tricks. These include infiltrating Russian-speaking priests into the Soviet Union; secret negotiations between John XXIII and Khrushchev; the future Paul VI"s close relationship with the CIA; the Vatican's infiltration by Eastern Bloc intelligence; the battles between the Jesuits and Opus Dei; and the secret bank funds channeled first to fight communism in South America, then to support Solidarity in Poland. This entertaining book journeys right to the present, uncovering startling machinations under Benedict XVI and, today, Pope Francis.

    Order book here.


    Spymaster: The Memoirs of Gordon M. Stewart, CIA Station Chief in Cold War Germany
    by Gordon Stewart (Author), Thomas Boghardt (Editor)
    (De Gruyter Oldenbourg, 07 Oct 24)

    Germany was the epicenter of the Cold War. Across the Iron Curtain, hundreds of thousands of soldiers faced each other, and if World War III were to break out, contemporaries feared, surely it would happen here. The country’s frontline status made it an El Dorado for spies, who gathered information on military targets, penetrated political parties, and trained partisans for stay-behind operations. For the Americans, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) came to take the lead in this silent – and sometimes not so silent – contest. In the heyday of the Cold War, the agency’s German station employed nearly two thousand officers – in addition to countless spies and informants. Ultimately, this covert empire reported to the CIA station chief in West Germany and his deputy. And for many years, either of those positions was held by Gordon Matthews Stewart. Gordon Stewart was well prepared for this assignment. He studied German history and literature during the 1930s and lived in Munich and Hamburg as a visiting student. Here, he personally witnessed the Nazi takeover, even catching a glimpse of Adolf Hitler at one of his notorious rallies. When the United States entered the war in 1941, the newly established Office of Strategic Services (OSS) recruited him as a specialist on German affairs. In the summer of 1945, he arrived in Germany with an OSS detachment. Eventually, the OSS morphed into the CIA, and Gordon Stewart would run the agency’s espionage organization in Germany for some twenty years. From CIA headquarters in Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt, and eventually, Bonn, Mr. Stewart directed all intelligence operations in central Europe. Initially, he hunted down Nazi war criminals, but the Cold War compelled him to bend his efforts toward the Soviet bloc. During the 1950s, Mr. Stewart directed espionage operations against East Germany, organized the training of Ukrainian partisans at U.S. bases in Bavaria, and participated in a scheme to dig a tunnel into East Berlin to eavesdrop on Soviet and East German communications. He also recruited and handled sources inside the West German government, including the chief of the Bundesnachrichtendienst, Reinhard Gehlen; the highest-ranking West German military officer, General Adolf Heusinger; and top policy-makers of the Christian and social democratic parties. Mr. Stewart’s memoirs, introduced by renowned intelligence scholar Thomas Boghardt, offer not only a fascinating look inside the CIA’s largest overseas station; they also tell the story of a deeply conscientious and highly accomplished intelligence officer, whose experience, intellect, and moral compass shaped American policy toward Germany and Europe during the turbulent years of the early Cold War.

    Order book here.


    India's External Intelligence: Secrets of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
    by V.K. Singh
    (Manas Publications, 30 Jul 07)

    The present book is the first account by a person who has actually served in RAW at a senior level. Though not an insider, he was part of the organisation for a little less than four years and was able to see its functioning from close quarters. Since he was concerned with signal intelligence rather than human intelligence operations, most of the coverage is devoted to the former. The book brings to light several lacunae in the functioning of the country's top intelligence agency, the most glaring being the anomalies in procurement of equipment, lack of accountability and our dependence on foreign sources, with the resultant threat to national security. Some of the hitherto untold stories recounted in the book - 1. How equipment was purchased from foreign companies at prices that were more ten times the market price by altering technical parameters. 2. How the security of the Prime Minister was almost compromised for a few pieces of silver. 3. The circumstances leading to the death of one of RAW's brightest officers, Vipin Handa. 4. The stories of moles in the country's top intelligence agencies, including that of Rabinder Singh. 5. The bitter rivalry between RAW and IB, and its effects. The modus operandi of foreign intelligence agencies in recruiting moles in India. The present book is the first account by a person who has actually served in RAW at a senior level. Though not an insider, he was part of the organisation for a little less than four years and was able to see its functioning from close quarters. Since he was concerned with signal intelligence rather than human intelligence operations, most of the coverage is devoted to the former. The book brings to light several lacunae in the functioning of the country's top intelligence agency, the most glaring being the anomalies in procurement of equipment, lack of accountability and our dependence on foreign sources, with the resultant threat to national security. Some of the hitherto untold stories recounted in the book - 1. How equipment was purchased from foreign companies at prices that were more ten times the market price by altering technical parameters. 2. How the security of the Prime Minister was almost compromised for a few pieces of silver. 3. The circumstances leading to the death of one of RAW's brightest officers, Vipin Handa. 4. The stories of moles in the country's top intelligence agencies, including that of Rabinder Singh. 5. The bitter rivalry between RAW and IB, and its effects. The modus operandi of foreign intelligence agencies in recruiting moles in India.

    Order book here.


    True Intelligence Matters on Film - The Ultimate Spy Documentary: Spies of War, Rewriting History - Get Factual (2024)

    Today's Extra Long Documentary takes you on a gripping journey through key moments in espionage history. Witness the intricacies of D-Day on June 6th, 1944, as MI-5's double agents contribute to a grand deception, diverting German attention from Normandy. Explore the darkly humorous ploy on July 10th, 1943, where a staged discovery misleads the Germans about Allied plans in the Balkans during the Sicily landing. It is now October 1962: delve into the Cuban missile crisis, where Oleg Penkovsky, a Soviet officer turned CIA mole, plays a crucial role in preventing World War III. Lastly, on August 29th, 1949, discover how the Soviets, through an extensive network of moles, obtained atomic bomb secrets, leading to a Cold War showdown. Each part unfolds the extraordinary lives of spies who shaped pivotal moments in history.

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

    Intelligence in Pop Culture - Wes Anderson’s Espionage Drama The Phoenician Scheme Gets A Release Date - News18, 14 Feb 25

    Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, The Phoenician Scheme, is a dark espionage drama that revolves around a father-daughter relationship entangled in the complexities of a family business. The film is set for an early limited release on May 30 before hitting theatres worldwide on June 6, Variety reported. Benicio del Toro leads the cast as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of Europe’s wealthiest men, while Mia Threapleton plays his daughter. Michael Cera takes on the role of her tutor. The film boasts a star-studded ensemble that features Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend and Hope Davis. (Access here.)

    Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

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

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

    Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

    (Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

    Obituaries

    Winfield Miller — Career NSA Security Officer

    Winfield E. Miller, 88, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025 at Foxdale Village, State College, Pennsylvania after a 20 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease. Win was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a graduate of the University of Baltimore. He retired from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 1994 with 30 years of federal service including his time in the Army National Guard. He was proud of his career with NSA. Win retired as Chief of Security at a site in Germany.

    Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: CIA in 1970 FIFA World Cup or 1968 Olympic Games. Did the CIA watch soccer? I’m a British journalist and documentary maker (20 years at the BBC, now independent) working on a historical podcast series focusing on the 1970 FIFA World Cup (soccer), as well as the 1968 Olympic Games. I am trying to understand what operational interest, if any, the CIA took in these two sporting events, particularly in the context of the Cold War in Latin America. Since both events took place in Mexico, I am keen to speak to anyone specifically about either the CIA Mexico station at that time (under Win Scott and later John Horton), or - for broader context - about the Agency’s historical interest in sporting matters more generally. Anyone with insight into the involvement of the Brazilian government or security agencies in soccer during the 1970 World Cup (under Gen Medici) would also be of interest. I can be contacted at gabriel.gatehouse@gmail.com. Discretion is, of course, assured.
    • Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals. See flier with full details here.
    • Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programmer at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programmer: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025. See flier with full details here.
    • Information Sought: Researcher is seeking information about the document known in the West as the “KGB Wanted List,” the 1969 version of which was brought to the West by a KGB defector in 1972. Vladislav Krasnov analysed a portion of the list in his 1986 book titled “Soviet Defectors.” Both CIA and the FBI responded to FOIA requests indicating that they cannot find the 1969 list (although both CIA and NACIC have cited it in various forums). If you have a copy of the 1969 list, suggestions where it might be found in its entirety, or knowledge of any earlier lists in the series, please contact Kevin Riehle at kevin.riehle@brunel.ac.uk.
    • Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks a collaborator with YouTube technical expertise to launch a channel that will highlight specific examples of Russian and Chinese misinformation. Please contact Greg Rushford at gregrushford@gmail.com.
    • Internship Opportunity: U.K.-based private intelligence company Grey Dynamics is accepting applications for its analyst internship program. Excellent resume building experience for aspiring intel analysts and, for intelligence studies students (and graduates) who are interested in analysis and writing, a great entry-level opportunity to exercise your skills in a real editorial and publication setting. See full details and application instructions here.

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

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

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

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

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

    Jobs

    • Open-Source Intelligence Laboratory and Professor of Intelligence and National Security Studies - University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso, Texas

      • The Department of Criminal Justice & Security Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is seeking to fill a faculty position for a new open-source intelligence (OSINT) laboratory, created to be the first of its kind to study the complex security issues within the U.S.-Mexico border region. The faculty member will lead efforts to establish the nation's premier institution analyzing U.S. Mexican border security, including how it is impacted by political, social, physical, and economic forces across (and beyond) the Western Hemisphere. The laboratory will use cutting edge OSINT techniques, build databases, help create scholarly research and analytical reports, and assist students in developing career relevant skills. This will be a full-time, tenured position beginning in Fall 2025. The faculty member will hold the rank of associate professor or professor. Responsibilities include developing and directing the laboratory, obtaining external funding, and publishing scholarly research. The faculty member will teach courses and mentor students in open-source intelligence analysis. They will work closely with community partners across the university and in the public and private sectors in support of the laboratory and the Department. Full details on qualifications, duties, and application here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Additional information and application here.

    Section VI - Events

    AFIO Events

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

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

    Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    26 Feb 2025, 1730-1900 (ET) - Virtual - The Enduring Legacy of 1970s Intelligence Revelations and Reform - Council on Intelligence Issues

    In the midst of the Watergate scandal in 1973, Director of Central Intelligence James Schlesinger asked current and former CIA employees to report any CIA activities that might have violated the CIA’s charter. The resulting compilation, nicknamed the Family Jewels, leaked to the public in December 1974. Although the report focused on the CIA, the leak set in motion a series of broader investigations – the Rockefeller Commission established by the president and the subsequent congressional Church and Pike committees. The public revelations about covert action operations abroad, allegations of assassination plots, domestic spying and more captured the attention of the world. Together, the investigations and recommendations altered public perceptions of U.S. intelligence writ large, led to major restructuring of both executive and legislative branch oversight of intelligence, and resulted in changes to the way intelligence agencies conducted their operations. Presented by the Council on Intelligence Issues (CII) and hosted by Holland & Knight and the International Spy Museum, this panel discussion is the first in a series of webinar and in-person sessions that will focus on significant changes that resulted from the leak and the subsequent investigations. Our February 26 webinar will include former Church Committee staffers (David Aaron and Greg Treverton) and two intelligence officers who represented the CIA before the committee (Jack Devine and Jim Taylor). Moderated by historian and former intelligence officer Mark Lowenthal, panelists will discuss their roles and their insights about the investigations and their legacy, including: What were some of the most significant operational, policy and legal changes?; What were the challenges in addressing both real need for change and perceptions of need for change?; How did U.S. intelligence adapt in its conduct of operations, relations within the executive branch, increased oversight and calls for greater public transparency?; How, 50 years later, do they assess these events and their impact, whether positive or negative, and lessons learned? More information and free registrationhere.

    Friday, 21 February 2025 - New York City - Spyher's Charles Lea hosts "The Spies of Wall Street". Former DIA and CIA Officer Charles Lea hosts "The Spies of Wall Street" through New York City's famed Financial District. He interprets the neighborhood's spy sites, shares stories from his time in the intelligence community, and answers your burning questions. This is your chance to meet a real former CIA officer. This 90-minute walking tour explores the rich spy history of lower Manhattan, where every corner reveals secrets steeped in espionage and intrigue, from the clandestine operations of George Washington's intelligence network during the Revolutionary War to the audacious actions of Soviet sleeper agents, perfectly hidden within New York's glitterati. Dive into an unseen world that has silently shaped our past and continues to influence the present, hidden in the shadows of the city's skyscrapers. Throughout, you'll be captivated by tales of spies, covert operations, and the art of espionage. Prepare to test your own spy craft as you navigate this world of secrets and hidden histories.
    Private tours available in English and French upon request. Contact rosanna@spyher.co to schedule. Public tours available for purchase on Eventbrite

    Saturday, 22 February 2025 - Washington, DC - Spyher sponsors SpyKids Mission Training (ages 12 and under). Get ready to become a top-secret spy at SpyKids Mission Training - where you'll learn all the skills needed to complete your mission! SpyKids Mission Training is hosted by a real Intelligence officer who will guide you through the back streets and dark alleys of Georgetown to learn about the many spies who once traded secrets for cash (and still do). Along the way you will learn about how spies secretly communicate, what motivates a spy to spy, and the role bananas had in overthrowing a government. You and your fellow spy kids will also have to read signals, create concealment devices, decode secret messages, and load a dead drop.
    Next available dates: Monday, 24 March, and school holidays - think Spring Break!
    Book SpyKids Mission Training

    27 Feb 2025, 1200-1300 (ET) Washington, DC – The Heavy Water Sabotage Raid with Mitch Utterback – A Virtual and In-Person International Spy Museum Program

    Join us for an intense exploration of Operation Gunnerside on the 82nd anniversary of the mission. One of the Allies' most dramatic sabotage missions of WWII, Gunnerside was a daring plan to derail the Nazis' scheme to build an atomic bomb. A key component of their bomb recipe was heavy water—deuterium oxide. When Germany occupied Norway, the remote Vemork Norsk Hydro plant, which produced heavy water, came under Nazi control. The Allies, desperate to prevent a nuclear-armed Germany, devised the daring Operation Gunnerside to disable the plant. The epic tale of the Norwegian commandos who parachuted onto the Vidda (mountain plateau) in the winter and skied, climbed, and clawed their way to the plant to blow up the heavy water reserves, sounds like a movie, and did become one starring Kirk Douglas. Retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel Mitch Utterback was drawn to the famous World War II sabotage mission and recently retraced the ski tracks of the Heroes of Telemark. In 2023, for the 80th anniversary, Utterback and a team of 11 other military veterans recreated the perilous journey that the saboteurs took across the Vidda. Their expedition was captured in the short documentary film Hardangerfolk which brings the danger and intensity of the mission to life. Utterback's background in special forces and his experience of the conditions that the saboteurs endured has given him a unique perspective on this epic mission which the Spy Museum features in our Covert Action gallery. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

    Saturday, 8 March 2025, 10:30 a.m. ET - Washington, DC - Spyher has a Special Guest Host for An Exclusive Capitol Hill Spy History Tour. Join Will Barr for a Spy Tour of Capitol Hill on Saturday, 8 March at 10:30a. Will Can neither confirm nor deny that he served in CIA's Directorate of Operations for the better part of a decade, during which he worked in countries across Africa and South Asia. He also spent time at the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. When most people think of Washington, they think only of the beautiful monuments or Congressional intrigue. Will lives in DC and is eager to share an insider's perspective of his city's real intrigue - what spies do in the shadows after dark.
    Book Capitol Hill Spy Tour with Will Barr.

    Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 8 am - 5 pm EST - Hyattsville, MD - Convening to Act: Accelerating Adoption of Quantum Resistant Cryptography by National Cryptologic Foundation

    Join the NCF for Accelerating Adoption of Quantum Resistant Cryptography (QRC), the 3rd QRC-focused Convening to Act. The program theme will focus on QRC adoption and implementation efforts - including inventory progress and how companies are progressing through the transition. The program may also include demos of tools that are available and being used for the migration. This Convening to Act will feature keynote speaker Neal Ziring, Technical Director, Research Directorate, National Security Agency. Click here to view the draft agenda or to register.
    Where: College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 3501 University Blvd East, Hyattsville, MD 20783.
    Registration Fee: $99. Register here.
    Includes: Light Buffet Breakfast, Snack Breaks, and Buffet Lunch. A complimentary reception will be held from 5:00-6:00 PM, after the program concludes.

    Thursday, 27 March and Friday, 28 March 2025 - Reston, VA - Convening to Act: Managing High Impact AI National Security Applications by National Cryptologic Foundation

    Join the NCF for a multidisciplinary dialogue, including government and industry, to discuss "Managing High Impact AI National Security Applications" for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and beyond, including small and medium-sized businesses. This will be a robust two day program with the option of attending an onsite dinner and fireside chat on the first day.
    Critical issues for the use of AI in national security to be addressed at the conference include:* Legal; * Policy; * Compliance; * Security; * Equality; * Privacy implications and considerations. Agenda and other details here.
    Registration: Open here.
    A vegan dinner option is available. Stay tuned for additional details about dinner.
    Location: Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center, 11493 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20190.

    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.

    Tuesday, 26 August - Friday, 29 August 2025 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Practice of Situational Awareness sponsored by Spyher. Spyher founder Rosanna Minchew delivers this 4-day course in situational awareness, practical training that reinforces classroom instruction with on-the-streets exercises. Designed for professionals in law enforcement, security and investigations. You will learn to:
    • Identify risk and potential threats to your safety
    • Develop strategies to reduce those risks and threats
    • Respond to unexpected situations or emergencies
    • Make decisions under pressure
    Register for Situational Awareness Course

    30 Aug - 8 Sep 2025 - Mediterranean Cruise - Spies, Lies & Nukes announce Espionage on the High Seas! Plan NOW to join the late-summer 2025 cruise. Instead of their traditional Spies, Lies & Nukes conference in 2024, Valerie Plame and other intelligence colleagues are thrilled to introduce an exciting variation for 2025: Spies at Sea. A combined cruise and conference through the breathtaking Mediterranean, from August 30 to September 8, 2025! See brochure here.
    What to Expect:
    • Intimate Conference Setting: Enjoy the same close-knit, engaging environment you've come to expect, with unparalleled access to our expert speakers.
    • Exclusive Shore Excursions: Explore clandestine meeting spots, delve into espionage history, and more on excursions EXCLUSIVE TO OUR GROUP.
    • Seminars at Sea: Participate in lectures and presentations led by Valerie Plame and other top intelligence professionals, all the while cruising through some of the Mediterranean's most iconic destinations.
    • Special Events: Enjoy exclusive cocktail receptions, surprise activities, and one-on-one conversation time.
    Exclusive Spies, Lies & Nukes Itinerary Highlights:
    • Barcelona, Spain: Begin your adventure in this vibrant city.
    • Valletta, Malta: Walk through history with guided tours led by espionage experts who will lift the veil on area spy stories and meeting sites.
    • Mykonos, Greece: Discover the charm and beauty of this picturesque island.
    • Ephesus, Turkey: Explore ancient ruins with a private guide and enjoy a unique group lunch, all while learning about intelligence activities that took place at each spot.
    • Santorini, Greece: Experience the iconic beauty of Santorini with endless photographic opportunities.
    • Naples, Italy: Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant and an exclusive walking tour with a private guide while learning a few spy secrets from Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.
    We've secured a discounted rate that includes your stateroom, meals, classic beverage package, wi-fi, exclusive excursions, and all conference activities. These cabins will get booked quickly, so don't wait—

    Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, Self

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




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

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





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







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




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




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

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



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

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

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

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    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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    AFIO Members Support the AFIO Mission - sponsor new members! CHECK THE AFIO WEBSITE at www.afio.com for back issues of the WINs, information about AFIO, conference agenda and registrations materials, and membership applications and much more!

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