Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

19-25 March 2025
(Issue 12)


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 Spying Game, episode 3: War in the Shadows - Michael Kirchner (2019)

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

  • Chuck Kable — Career CIA Officer
  • Ralph Sullivan — Decorated NSA and CIA Officer
  • Oleg Gordievsky — KGB Colonel and MI6 Asset
  • Jay Hamon — Former NSA Executive

    • Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: Child of CIA officer seeks former CIA SE division branch chiefs (1980-1994), CIA officers stationed in Rome (1986-90).
    • Call for Study Participants: Current and former intel professionals experienced in collecting, analyzing, or disseminating intelligence that directly informs organizational goals/missions in federal agencies, military, law enforcement, or private sector.
    • 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

    • Thu, 3 Apr 2025, 11:30 a.m. - Las Vegas, NV - The "Roger E. McCarthy" Las Vegas AFIO Chapter holds general membership and speaker meeting.
    • Mon, 7 Apr 2025, noon - San Antonio, TX - AFIO San Antonio TX Chapter meets for unclassified intelligence briefing on Iranian missiles in the Russian-Ukrainian War.

    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, TM, EB, JK, LR, PO, S, GR, JD, BG


    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.


    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

    - FREE BOOKS -
    (REVIEWERS WANTED)

    Readers who know of non-fiction intelligence-focused books that align with their career experience and who would like to leverage their expertise to contribute a 500-word review on the title, please contact the editor at winseditor@afio.com. If a reviewer does not own the volume to be assessed, the editor will arrange for a free copy to be mailed to the reviewer. Eligible titles include those not yet released or released within the past 12 months. Reviews will run in four consecutive WIN issues as part of the Short-Form Book Review feature.

    - Spy Cruise -

    Valerie Plame's Spies, Lies & Nukes Conference, in collaboration with the International Spy Museum, brings you Spies at Sea 2025—an unparalleled espionage experience on the high seas! 30 August - 08 September 2025. AFIO members receive $100 discount (use code "AFIO"). More information and booking details in "Events" section below and here.


    - AFIO Scholarship -

    Applications Being Accepted now until 1 June 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 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.

    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 Airwaves, the Museum will pivot from its long form 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 - Cummings, GA

    University of North Georgia, Cummings Campus,
    300 Aquatic Circle Cummings, 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
    Regularly scheduled spy tours are available
    through Georgetown, Embassy Row, Capitol Hill, and Arlington National Cemetery.
    Book now on Eventbrite

    Special NYC Edition
    Spyher Event
    Friday, 28 March 2025
    12:30p-2p
    The Spies of Wall Street
    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.
    Your Co-Hosts
    New NYC-based Spyher Host Charles & Spyher Founder Rosanna Minchew
    Reserve tickets for The Spies of Wall Street here.

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


    AFIO Exclusive Content

    - AFIO NOW -

    Former NCIS Special Agent Leon Carroll Jr on his book (co-authored with Mark Harmon):

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

    Recorded: 06 Feb 25
    Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes
    Duration: 33 mins

    Book can be purchased here.

    AFIO Now interviews, video and audio-only forms, are proudly sponsored by:

    Northwest Financial Advisors

    WIN Short-form Book Review
    (March 2025)

    John Driscol
    Former CIA Executive,
    Executive Leadership Trainer

    reviews

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


    by Joe Keogh, Joe Ball, Greg Moore
    (May 2024)

    Access review here.


    Latest AFIO Now Audio Podcast (18 Mar 25)

    AFIO Now Podcasts Presents:

    Joby Warwick discusses his 2020 book "RED LINE on The Unraveling of Syria and America's Race to Destroy the Most Dangerous Arsenal in the World"

    Recorded: 27 Jan 25
    Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes
    Duration: 45 min (with Q&A)
    Purchase Red Line here.

    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, 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.


    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.


    Section I - CURRENTS

    (Recent Developments)

    General Interests

    CIA chief Ratcliffe to appoint veteran officer to lead spy operations - Washington Post, Mar 21 (Member Contribution)

    CIA Director John Ratcliffe has selected a veteran CIA operations officer who has expressed strong support for Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia to head the spy agency’s clandestine operations, according to seven people familiar with the matter. Ralph Goff, a six-time CIA station chief who left the agency in October 2023, has accepted Ratcliffe’s offer to be deputy director for operations, responsible for running human espionage and covert action programs, the people said. The DDO, as it is known with the CIA, is one of the agency’s most powerful positions, and Ratcliffe’s selection of Goff is one of his most significant personnel moves since taking the helm at the spy agency in late January. Ratcliffe, who during his Senate confirmation process promised to strengthen the CIA’s ability to recruit and run human agents, is also considering changes to the agency’s organizational structure, people close to him say. Goff served in covert roles in Europe, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia, including several war zones, according to his online biography. He also served as the CIA’s chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia and led the agency’s National Resources Division, which gathers information from businessmen and other Americans who have traveled abroad, and attempts to recruit foreigners in the United States to spy for the CIA when they return home. (Access here.)

    FBI agent who accused agency of political bias arrested at New York airport - The Guardian, Mar 20 (Member Contribution)

    A veteran FBI agent who blew the whistle on alleged political bias during Donald Trump’s first presidency was arrested at New York’s JFK airport moments before boarding an international flight. Johnathan Buma, a 15-year counterintelligence officer and eventual whistleblower, now faces charges of illegally disclosing classified information through a prospective tell-all book about his career. Federal prosecutors allege Buma systematically harvested confidential materials from the bureau’s internal systems, printing approximately 130 files clearly marked with security warnings in October 2023 before going on leave. He allegedly shared draft portions of a book manuscript via email that contained information about “the FBI’s efforts and investigations into a foreign country’s weapons of mass destruction (‘WMD’) program”, the filing reads. (Access here.)

    White House Seeks to Contain Damage From Personal Data in Kennedy Files - New York Times, Mar 20 (Member Contribution)

    Social Security numbers, including for some people still living, were included in the 64,000 pages of documents that the Trump administration released this week. “President Trump delivered on his promise of maximum transparency,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in an email, adding: “At the request of the White House, the National Archives and the Social Security Administration immediately put together an action plan to proactively help individuals whose personal information was released in the files.” The exposed data left officials rushing to deal with the potentially serious consequences, demonstrating the challenges caused when Mr. Trump makes abrupt policy moves. His national security team was stunned and forced to scramble after the president announced on Monday that he would release the Kennedy documents with only 24 hours’ notice. Administration officials had been working to make the records public since January, when Mr. Trump signed an executive order mandating it. (Access here.)

    Chilling moment CIA gunman is arrested after showing up to HQ armed after JFK files are released - Daily Mail, 19 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    Chilling images captured the moment a disheveled suspected gunman was taken into custody outside the CIA headquarters on Wednesday morning after he was seen making threats with a weapon near the agency's base. The armed man, seen wearing camouflage and sporting long hair and a beard, sent the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia into lockdown as cops raced to the scene. Reports indicate the suspect, who has not been identified, experienced a 'mental health crisis', was seen sitting on a bench outside the property and pointed a handgun at the agency headquarters. (Access here.)

    US Reveals Intelligence Data Trove on China and North Korea - Newsweek, 19 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    United States reconnaissance aircraft deployed at a military hub in the Western Pacific Ocean has collected thousands of hours of intelligence data about China and North Korea. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The North Korean Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Air Force operates various spy planes, including the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, a Japanese island that is part of the first island chain. The blockade is a U.S. defense concept designed to counter threats from adversaries. Using open-source flight tracking data, Newsweek has mapped U.S. spy flights from Kadena Air Base to international airspace off the coast of China over the East China Sea and the South China Sea, as well as near North Korea's border over the Korean Peninsula. (Access here.)

    Bangladesh rebukes US spy chief over religious violence remarks - Agence France Presse, 18 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    Bangladesh has rebuked Washington's intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, saying her comments on religious violence in the South Asian country were unfounded and risked fanning sectarian tensions. Gabbard arrived this week for a diplomatic trip to India, whose relations with Bangladesh have soured since a student-led uprising overthrew the latter nation's government last year. New Delhi has repeatedly accused its Muslim-majority neighbour of failing to adequately protect its minority Hindu citizens -- charges denied by the caretaker administration now in charge. But Gabbard appeared to give credence to the claims when she was asked about violence in Bangladesh during a Monday interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV. "The long-time unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities... have been a major area of concern for the US government," she said in response. She added that the issue, along with Islamist extremism, remained "central focus areas of concern" and said the Trump administration has already raised them with the Bangladeshi government. Bangladesh responded in a statement late Monday that Gabbard's comments were both "misleading" and "damaging" to the country's image and reputation. "Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially on sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, fan fears, or potentially stoke sectarian tensions," the statement said. Hindus make up about eight percent of Bangladesh's 170 million people.(Access here.)

    Reductions in Workforce Hit Intelligence Agencies - Clearance Jobs, 17 Mar 25

    When the current administration started rolling out executive orders calling for a reduction in the federal workforce and sent federal workers the “fork in the road” email, Defense and Intelligence agencies were exempt. However, it was not long afterwards that we started hearing stories indicating otherwise. Applicants on ClearanceJobsBlog were reporting their Conditional Job Offers (CJO) were being rescinded, Final Job Offers (FJO) were delayed or on hold, and security clearance processing was halted. All of the Intelligence Community (IC) agencies were given marching orders to give their employees the same opportunity to take the “Deferred Resignation” option and get paid through the end of September. The National Security Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Central Intelligence Agency have all confirmed they are taking actions to downsize their workforce by offering buyouts, laying off probationary employees or through a Reduction in Force (RIF). (Access here.)

    DEA Insiders Warned About Legality of Phone Tracking Program. Their Concerns Were Kept Secret. - The Intercept, 18 Mar 25

    When the Drug Enforcement Administration’s access to a secret trove of billions of American phone records was exposed in 2013, the Obama administration said the data had been collected under a perfectly legal program. Civil liberties advocates, however, were not convinced about that the data collection program — which let the DEA see who you called, and who they called too — was aboveboard. Now, the advocates are learning more than a decade later that they had a clutch of surprising allies: DEA officials on the inside — whose internal alarms were kept secret. Watchdog findings released last week show that government officials had privately raised questions about the program for years — including a high-ranking DEA agent who expressed “major” concerns. The FBI even halted its own agents’ access to the database for months. (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)

    Cuba’s Military Counterintelligence Directorate (CIM) - Grey Dynamics, 21 Mar 25

    Cuba’s Military Counterintelligence Directorate (Dirección de Contra-Inteligencia Militar – CIM) is one of the most effective and enduring counterintelligence agencies in the world. Established in 1962 in response to growing U.S. intelligence operations against the newly formed revolutionary government. The CIM has played a crucial role in safeguarding the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) from infiltration, espionage, and internal subversion. Over the decades, it has evolved from a Soviet-backed institution into a sophisticated intelligence apparatus with close ties to Russia, China, and other strategic allies. In the post-Cold War era, CIM has adapted to modern threats. Shifting its focus toward economic espionage, cyber intelligence, and covert operations against the United States and other adversaries. High-profile espionage cases, such as Ana Montes, a senior U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) analyst who spied for Cuba for 16 years. Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador accused of being a Cuban agent for over four decades, highlights Havana’s long-standing ability to penetrate U.S. intelligence agencies. This article provides a broad overview of CIM, its historical evolution, operational structure, key figures, and its ongoing role in geopolitical espionage. (Access here.)

    Why British spooks are reaching out to the private sector - The Economist, 19 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    For most of its 87-year history, the men and women of His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC), at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes in central England, have toiled in obscurity to develop “operational technology”, or optech, for British spies—gadgetry like covert radio sets and bugs, and, later, software. In recent years that obscurity has lightened a bit. Journalists have been invited in (though shown little). HMGCC has also begun sharing some of its problems. (Access here.)

    Arsonist, Killer, Saboteur, Spy: While Trump Courts Him, Putin Is Escalating Russia’s Hybrid War Against the West - Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    In late January, barely a week into Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president, a senior NATO official told members of the European Parliament that Russia’s intensifying use of hybrid warfare poses a major threat to the West. In the hearing, James Appathurai, NATO deputy assistant secretary-general for innovation, hybrid, and cyber, described “incidents of sabotage taking place across NATO countries over a period of the last couple of years,” including train derailments, arson, attacks on infrastructure, and even assassination plots against leading industrialists. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, sabotage operations linked to Russian intelligence have been recorded in 15 countries. Speaking to the press after the January hearing, Appathurai said it was time for NATO to move to a “war footing” to deal with these escalating attacks. In the weeks since then, Trump’s dramatic overtures to Putin have pushed the sabotage campaign into the background. Instead, in aiming to quickly secure a deal with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration has talked of a new era of relations between Washington and Moscow. At the same time, the White House has taken steps to dismantle efforts within the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to counter cyberwarfare, disinformation, and election interference against the United States—all of which have previously been tied to Moscow. Indeed, Trump has suggested that Russia can be trusted to uphold any peace deal and that Putin is “going to be more generous than he has to be.” (Access here.)

    Release of the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review - Australian Office of National Intelligence, 21 Mar 25

    Andrew Shearer, the Director-General of National Intelligence, has acknowledged the findings of the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review. ‘As the National Intelligence Community (NIC) has warned for some time, Australia is facing some of its most complex strategic circumstances in recent history and our immediate security environment continues to deteriorate. We are facing a growing array of concurrent and cascading threats. In response, members of Australia’s NIC are working tirelessly to protect and support our national security, prosperity and sovereignty. The 2024 Independent Intelligence Review, led by Dr Heather Smith PSM and Richard Maude, recognised that Australia faces both a more dangerous international environment and a growing need to defend itself against threats to its democracy, social cohesion and essential infrastructure. The reviewers concluded that, in response, Australia’s intelligence agencies have worked hard and with considerable success to protect the nation and support government priorities. I am proud they found the NIC to be highly capable and performing well. As they noted, significant effort has been expended to help build the NIC as it is today – a more capable and integrated intelligence enterprise. (Access here.)

    Editorial to special edition: frontiers in African intelligence studies - Journal of Policing, Intelligence, and Counterterrorism, 18 Mar 25

    Africa faces a range of national and transnational security challenges, including from organised 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 organised crime, and supported diplomatic engagements. On the other, intelligence has been abused to aide regime security, entrench corruption, and facilitate destabilisation by external actors. This introduction to the special issue on frontiers in African intelligence studies examines the trajectory and purpose of African intelligence practice, theory and studies within the context of global intelligence studies. The special issue showcases research looking at how African intelligence services navigate threats and opportunities and the thus provide the state of the art in African intelligence studies. (Access here.)

    Trump and Europe’s Intelligence-Sharing Problem - Cipher Brief, 18 Mar 25

    President Trump’s recent decision to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine has presented Europe with an urgent problem. Not only did the move temporarily put Kyiv – reliant on the U.S. for all manner of critical combat data – in a precarious military position, but it also brought into question the reliability of the American intelligence community as a strategic ally. The U.S. and Europe have been close espionage partners for decades, and the relationship has typically been impervious to even the sternest political challenges. Yet despite a long and intimate history, the survival of the Euro-American intelligence relationship can no longer be taken for granted. As one of the authors has written, the relationships between intelligence services – known in the business as liaisons – are a crucial part of international diplomacy. The exchange of classified material requires deep levels of trust established through the right combination of shared circumstances, similar espionage cultures, and personal relationships between intelligence professionals. As the Trump administration redefines American national interests away from Europe, fires hundreds of Intelligence Community (IC) staff, and installs loyalists to top positions, it brings a worrying fragility to the very framework that has kept transatlantic cooperation so strong. Dependent on Washington for essential intelligence streams, European leaders must prepare for what was once deemed impossible: a rupture in the transatlantic liaison (Access here.)

    Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

    (Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
    and Recent Endeavors)

    An Interview with an Illegal - former U.S. Intel Officer David Townsend interviews former KGB Officer Jack Barsky - Shadows and Secrets, 23 Mar 25

    I contacted Jack on LinkedIn hoping he might provide background material and insight for my PhD research; we have remained friends ever since. His story is remarkable and filled with the kind of intrigue typical of this Substack, yet his narrative is more—ultimately, it is an American tale. Growing up as an idealistic communist and being chosen for “scout” work is a notable distinction on its own. Still, Jack exhibits a rare authenticity and candor that goes beyond the HUMINTer attributes often used as tools for rapport building in espionage. His life has been marked by highs and lows, heartbreak and fulfillment, and he is arguably one of the few individuals to have experienced so many unique paths, all with steadfast optimism. (Access here.)

    War plans security breach is a ‘danger’ that ‘must be investigated - with former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta - PBS, 24 Mar 25

    National security officials discussed military plans in a Signal group chat that mistakenly included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, according to a report published on Monday. To discuss the revelation and the national security implications, Geoff Bennett spoke with Leon Panetta, the former defense secretary and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. (Access here.)

    Geopolitical Landscape of the 21st Century (15 mins) - by former CIA Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine - 3+1 Geopolitical Strategy, 20 Mar 25 (Member Contribution)

    On this week’s episode, Jack introduces us to the new geopolitical landscape of the 21st century- which he believes is only starting now- and explains why there’s no turning back. (Access here.)

    Trump-Putin Call: Three Takeaways from Watching Putin Use His KGB Case Officer Skills on Trump - by former CIA Russia House Operations Officer Michael D. Sellers - Deeper Look, 21 Mar 25

    As a former CIA officer who served in Moscow during the 1980s at the same time Vladimir Putin was starting to climb the ranks of the KGB, I believe I have a clear understanding of the psychological manipulation tactics that Putin, as a trained KGB officer, would know how to deploy in his interactions with Donald Trump. There’s nothing magical about it. To be a “case officer” means, in essence, to just be the psychological master of the situation. The idea is to exert control and influence by interacting with the target in a psychologically artful way designed to hit the target’s psychological ‘need’ buttons, and/or engage in subtle manipulations that increase dependency and acceptance by the target of case officer control. A good case officer uses these skills all the time. Vladimir Putin has long since moved on from his days as a KGB case officer — but these are skills that don’t go away and it’s depressing to see how effortlessly he uses them on Donald Trump. (Access here.)

    A Spy Thriller for Our Dystopian Moment: In David McCloskey’s “The Seventh Floor,” CIA bureaucrats finally get their due—and so does a Russian mole - Former CIA Operations Officer James Lawler Reviews Novel by Former CIA Analyst David McCloskey - SpyTalk, 19 Mar 25

    Somewhere between heaven and earth there is a mystical dimension where CIA operations officers work their recruitment magic on foreign adversaries while walking a swaying tightrope far above an abyss filled not only with America’s deadliest enemies but all too frequently with the snapping jaws of bilious bureaucrats and obstructionists whose primary talent in life is self-advancement at the expense of others and of our national security. This is the human condition, fortunately not unique to the CIA but also endemic among the apparatchiks of intelligence services the world over. In a brilliant third spy novel, The Seventh Floor, David McCloskey deftly explores the differences between the real intelligence operators, who focus outwardly on targets of recruitment, and those who are much more adept at being aspiring “espiocrats,” an appropriate term coined by John le Carré, whose work closely resembles this fine novel. McCloskey, a former CIA officer himself, also accurately examines the intense feelings of dread among intelligence officers when they learn the agency has launched a mole hunt—Do I really want to know who among us is Judas? — and learn that a close friend has turned coat for the Russians. (Access here.)

    Expert Q&A: U.S. Should Reach Out to North Korea - with former CIA Chief of East Asia Operations Joseph DeTrani - Cipher Brief, 19 Mar 25

    As The Cipher Brief has reported, North Korea recently unveiled evidence that it is building what its state media called a “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine,” a new capability for the reclusive regime, and a revelation that caused high anxiety among some long-time North Korea watchers. Reports suggest the 6,000–7,000-ton submarine could carry 10 nuclear-capable missiles, significantly enhancing the North’s ability to launch underwater attacks. In 2021, The North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un made public a list of major weapons he wanted in the country’s arsenal – a list that included ICBMs, hypersonic weapons, and spy satellites, as well as a nuclear-powered submarine. The Cipher Brief spoke with Ambassador Joseph DeTrani, a former Director of East Asia Operations for the CIA, about the development and its implications for the Korean Peninsula, the broader region, and U.S. policy vis-a-vis North Korea. Amb. DeTrani also spoke about the submarine as a likely benefit to Pyongyang of its burgeoning collaboration with Moscow; last year, North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to help Russia defend territory in its Kursk region against a Ukrainian incursion. The quid pro quo for the military aid was widely understood to involve Russian military and technological assistance to North Korea. Cipher Brief Managing Editor Tom Nagorski spoke with Amb. DeTrani. Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity. (Access here.)

    Iran is a ‘threat’ to British Jews, cautions former MI6 chief - with former MI6 Director Sir Richard Dearlove - The Jewish Chronicle, 21 Mar 25

    Iranian agents represent a threat to Britain’s Jewish community as well as to critics of the regime living in the UK, a former head of MI6 has said, suggesting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation. In an interview with the JC, Sir Richard Dearlove said that Israeli operations against Iran and its proxies had degraded its capabilities in the Middle East and beyond, but that the nuclear issue could still trigger a crisis. Dearlove also said he was “disgusted” by demonstrations in support of Hamas, which he said the British authorities had dealt with too softly. (Access here.)


    Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

    Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage
    by Jeremy Hurewitz
    (Diversion Books, 27 Aug 24)

    Tapping into the history of intelligence-gathering and his work with former agents of the CIA, FBI, and other federal departments, Jeremy Hurewitz, a foremost corporate sales and security expert, offers field-tested spycraft strategies and government-agency tactics anyone can use to build relationships, persuade, and sell anything. Hurewitz has built his career around CIA case officers, FBI agents, and government officials—people like Steve Romano, former Chief Negotiator of the FBI; Mark Sullivan, former Director of the Secret Service; General Stanley McChrystal (Ret.), former Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command; and John Cipher, former member of the CIA's Senior Intelligence Service. Drawing on in-depth interviews about their skillsets, stunning spy-world anecdotes, and science-backed principles of behavioral intelligence, Hurewitz has created a handbook of lessons and techniques that will strengthen your ability to connect, entice, and make deals—in business and everyday life. Though a spy's targets may be odious—terrorists, criminals, corrupt diplomats, and more—the agent's focus is on cultivating relationships and understanding motivations to gather information, free hostages, or procure money. Elicitation, Radical Empathy, and RPM (Rationalize, Project Blame, and Minimize Fault) are just a few methods in this persuasion playbook from the real world of international espionage. With a foreword by Robert Grenier, former Director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, Sell Like a Spy puts James Bond in its dust, making you a true agent of persuasion.

    Order book here.


    In Obscura Part I: Adventures in the World of Intelligence
    by Peter Theroux
    (30 May 24)

    In Obscura is a savory literary confection detailing its author’s move from the light of day in publishing and journalism into the “dark” world of the CIA’s clandestine analysis, counterterrorism, and black site work … via Damascus, the Golan Heights, and Hollywood. A National Geographic fieldworker based in Los Angeles, Theroux doubled as a practitioner of a hidden profession—translation—and found kindred spirits in other hidden professionals, the stunt actors who double as movie stars. When he takes things a step further, into the entirely covert world of intelligence, he gives us a guided tour of the upside-down world where fame is anathema and career success is measured by deeper and darker assignments. Inspired by Hollywood memoirs that explain in nuts-and-bolts fashion the world of movie making to cinema buffs, Theroux writes In Obscura as a nuts-and-bolts account of what CIA officers do all day—whether they report to work at Headquarters, the White House, or a war zone.

    Order book here.


    Spies on the Sidelines: The High-Stakes World of NFL Espionage
    by Kevin Bryant
    (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 13 Jul 22)

    Spies disguised as priests. Secret surveillance of targets’ movements. Radio frequency jamming. Tapped telephones. These might sound like acts of espionage right out of the Cold War or a spy movie—but in fact came straight from the National Football League. In Spies on the Sidelines: The High-Stakes World of NFL Espionage, Kevin Bryant provides the first in-depth investigation of spying in professional football, as well as the countermeasures utilized to defend against these threats. Spanning across all teams and eras, Bryant shines a light on the shady world of NFL reconnaissance—from clandestine photography and hidden draft prospects to listening devices and stolen documents—along with the permissible, if sometimes questionable, spy techniques teams utilize day in and day out to gain an advantage over their opponents. Written by a former Special Agent with decades of experience collecting and safeguarding information for the Department of Defense, Spies on the Sidelines reveals that, behind the game-day action, professional football can be as cloak-and-dagger as American intelligence agencies. This fascinating and expansive compilation of NFL spy anecdotes exposes the extraordinary measures teams are willing to take in order to win.

    Order book here.


    True Intelligence Matters on Film - The Spying Game, episode 3: War in the Shadows - Michael Kirchner (2019)

    At the end of the 80s, the Soviet army is being universally modernized, observed closely by western military intelligence in East Germany. Weapons-scouts in the field are constantly on duty, as are agents in high command or in intelligence service stations, for instance in the autumn of 1983, as NATO is practicing new procedures of nuclear release. Moscow is concerned the exercise could be the beginning of a nuclear first strike. It takes a double agent to clear up this dangerous misunderstanding.

    Watch this based-on-true-events production 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

    Chuck Kable — Career CIA Officer

    Charles (aka Charlie or Chuck) Hamilton Kable, III, 87, passed in March 2025. He was born and raised in Westminster, Maryland. He sought adventure and craved knowledge his whole life, first through reading and stamp collecting as a youngster. He then volunteered for the Air Force as a teenager, worked as a card dealer at Harrah's casino in Reno, NV, and finally had a lengthy career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In the Air Force, he served as a survival instructor with three friends from Westminster. For the remainder of his life, he would tell stories of his experiences trekking the Sierra Nevada mountains with aircrews eating large black ants and roasted snake. He graduated from Western Maryland College and spent 27 years overseas with eight foreign assignments: Georgetown, Guyana; Quito, Ecuador; Santiago, Chile; Athens, Greece (twice); Mexico City, Mexico; and Bonn, Germany. Chuck was gifted at foreign languages, particularly German, French, Spanish, and Greek. Throughout his career at the CIA, he worked with colleagues to gather information known to few.

    Ralph Sullivan — Decorated NSA and CIA Officer

    Ralph Carl Sullivan, aged 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital after a long and courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ralph was born in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Carl Brendan Sullivan and Irene Perpetua Sullivan. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1957 with a BA degree in Political Science and later received a graduate certificate in Management Information Systems from American University. Ralph served in the U.S. Army where he completed Military Intelligence Cryptoanalysis Training at Fort Devens, MA and was subsequently assigned to the National Security Agency's Special Projects Office. After his discharge from the Army, Ralph joined the Central Intelligence Agency where he served primarily on the Intelligence Community Staff. He received several Awards of Distinction for developing techniques in support of imagery reconnaissance operations during the Cold War years. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Ralph was assigned to NPIC (the National Photographic Interpretation Center) in Washington, DC and was a member of the team that provided President Kennedy with briefing boards and vital intelligence in order to avert a nuclear showdown.

    Oleg Gordievsky — KGB Colonel and MI6 Asset

    Oleg Gordievsky, who has died aged 86, was a colonel in the KGB who served as an agent for MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service, from 1974 to 1985, when he defected to Britain; his reporting was important not only in intelligence terms, but also as a significant political influence on East-West relations during the later stages of the Cold War. The fact that he was a good KGB officer made him a good MI6 spy – being gifted with a retentive memory, adept at sifting fact from opinion and always clear about what he did not know. Read full obituary here.

    Jay Hamon — Former NSA Executive

    Jay Rodney Hamon passed on 17 March 2025. Rodney grew up in Linthicum Maryland. He graduated from Andover High School, and went on to earn a degree from the University of Maryland. Rodney joined the National Security Agency workforce in 1985 as a GGD-01 and retired as a Tier 2 Distinguished Intelligence Senior Executive. He enjoyed his career immensely, mentored many, and always aimed to make positive changes through all aspects of his leadership positions, proudly serving for 38 years.

    Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: Researcher working on project about her mother, a former CIA SE division desk chief, seeking former branch chiefs in the division between 1980 and 1994 to help with general descriptions of interrelationships and information flow. Also seeking officers who were in Rome station anytime between 1986-90. Please contact viveca.novak@gmail.com.
    • Call for Study Participants: Are you a current or former intelligence professional interested in contributing to research on how intelligence and decision-makers collaborate? We are seeking individuals with professional experience in intelligence operations, either in current or previous roles within law enforcement, military departments, federal agencies, or the private sector. We are particularly interested in those who have been involved in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence that directly informs organizational goals/missions. We also seek those who have been in roles who make decisions based on such intelligence. This study involves an interview lasting approximately 1 hour to explore your experiences and contribute to a deeper understanding of this critical area of collaboration. If you are interested in participating or have questions regarding whether you qualify, please email me at carlos.lopez@unt.edu.
    • 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

    • Director, School of Criminology and Security Studies, Full Professor or Associate Professor - Indiana State University - Terre Haute, Indiana

      • Provide academic and administrative leadership within a School of approximately 500+ undergraduate majors and master’s students as well as 29 full and part-time faculty. Oversee and facilitate the School's resources. Provide support for teaching, research, service, recruitment, retention, and fundraising. Be an advocate for experiential learning and represent the School of Criminology and Security Studies effectively in college, university, and community matters. Teach and publish in expertise area. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Participate in external and community engagement to cultivate partnerships, funding opportunities, and promote the School. Full details on qualifications, duties, and application here.

    • 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

    Thu, 3 Apr 2025, 11:30 a.m. - Las Vegas, NV - The "Roger E. McCarthy" Las Vegas AFIO Chapter holds general membership and speaker meeting. You are cordially invited to join your colleagues for a guest briefing by Cary Underwood, Southwestern Zone Co-Chair Director of Intelligence, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He will talk about the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center (SNCTC). The presentation will introduce members to what the SNCTC is, what partner agencies are represented in the fusion center, what the missions are, and some examples of the impact the SNCTC has made in safeguarding our community. Meeting location: The Bass Pro Shop is located at 8200 Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89139. The Conservation Conference Room is located on the second floor. Questions? Contact the Las Vegas Chapter at afiolasvegas@gmail.com.

    Mon, 7 Apr 2025, Noon CDT - San Antonio, TX - AFIO San Antonio TX Chapter meets for unclassified intelligence briefing on Iranian missiles in the Russian-Ukrainian War. This AFIO San Antonio TX Chapter meeting will be an unclassified intelligence briefing on Iranian missiles in the Russian Ukrainian war. The second part of the briefing will cover the "Budapest Memorandum" guaranteeing Ukraine would not be attacked if they disposed of their nuclear weapons. At the time Ukraine had the third largest nuclear weapons arsenal on earth! You probably know how this ends! All Blue Skies of Texas residents are invited to attend the program. It is presented by the San Antonio Chapter of AFIO to inform the public of the background affecting world events. AFIO Members attending should identify themselves to the 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.
    Venue: Blue Skies of Texas - Roadrunner Lounge, John D Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78209
    Questions? Contact John T. Franklin III, San Antonio AFIO Chapter President, 210-863-0430 or at johntf3@gmail.com

    Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    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.

    Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:30-2pm - New York City - Spyher Event "The Spies of Wall Street." The Spies of Wall Street
    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.
    Your Co-Hosts: New NYC-based Spyher Host Charles & Spyher Founder Rosanna Minchew
    Reserve tickets for The Spies of Wall Street here.

    Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2-4pm – Washington, DC – In-Store Book Signing Event: Humble Yet Fierce with author Katy McQuaid – In-Person International Spy Museum Store Signing. Join us in the Spy Museum Store for a special book signing event for Humble Yet Fierce with author Katy McQuaid. Katy McQuaid, former deputy director of logistics in the CIA, brings her true-life stories of courage, faith, and adventure related to that journey. From the life-changing events in her first year of college to her remarkable career in the CIA, McQuaid shares her challenges as a woman working in a male-dominated industry. She was inspired by good leaders who helped her succeed and go further than she thought possible. After thirty-two years, McQuaid retired from the secretive and often dangerous world of intelligence gathering at the CIA and found her voice through writing the Everybody Loves Grace series, winning two Nautilus Book Silver awards for Children's Illustrated Fiction books. Along with stories of strength through adversity, this book includes stories of leadership with humility. Humble Yet Fierce will remind you that leadership is a way of life, that you don't have to be overbearing to make yourself heard, and that you can laugh at yourself even in difficult times. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

    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.



    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.

    (c) 1998 thru 2025


    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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