Section I - CURRENTS
(Recent Events, Developments, Highlights)
Warning Clearance Holder: That Phishing Email Might be From Your IT Security Department - Clearance Jobs, 21 Jan 24
In early June, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) published an urgent warning about a sophisticated phishing attempt aimed at cleared federal employees and contractors. We reported it here at ClearanceJobs, where we strive to bring readers the latest in security clearance news. Coincidentally, the same day that DCSA issued their warning, The Wall Street Journal published an unrelated article titled “Why Companies Shouldn’t Try to Catch Employees With Fake Phishing Emails.” The article caught my eye for two reasons. First, I was surprised to learn this is happening and initially skeptical that it was a widespread tactic. However, a quick Google search returned reams of hits about the practice, suggesting that it is very much “a thing.” Second, the article’s premise – that these gotcha tactics create stress and distrust among employees while doing little to improve organizational defenses – rang true based on my experience with employer-employee relations over a decade as a practicing attorney in the cleared space. The enlightened commenters on reddit certainly had strong feelings about it, including one who shared how his employer sent out a fake bonus award email. Yikes. (Read more here.)
IRGC intelligence advisor killed by airstrike in Syria - Long War Journal, 20 Jan 24
An airstrike in the Syrian capital of Damascus that is thought to have been carried out by Israel, killed at least five officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – Qods Force on Jan. 20. Today’s strike is the second in the past four weeks that targeted and killed IRGC officers in Syia. The five Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps advisors who were killed in the strike include Qods Force deputy intelligence officer Sadegh Omidzadeh, his deputy, Hajj Gholam, and three other advisors in the Mezzeh neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, according to The Associated Press. In early 2023, Omidzadeh was identified by U.S. intelligence as a Qods Force official who was involved with selecting “U.S. Humvee and Cougar armored vehicles in Syria” as targets for a new, small explosively formed penetrator that was developed by both Qods Force and Hezbollah, The Washington Post reported. Omidzadeh “spoke of dispatching unidentified operatives to take reconnaissance photos of roads traveled by U.S. forces.” (Full article here.)
Enhancing the ‘Intelligence Studies Network’ website - Yusuf Ali Ozkan on Medium, 19 Jan 24
The ‘Intelligence studies network’ website is now 1 year old (created in December 2022)! Initially, I created this site as a testing ground to improve my Python and data analysis capabilities. As soon as I learn new stuff, I tell myself ‘why shouldn’t I try to implement it on the website’. Over time, this has turned from a playing ground to a proper website for the sources of intelligence studies. So, we are where we are now! (Disclaimer: I don’t have a developer background. So, I am wholeheartedly open to your criticism). In the last two months, the website has transformed with new sources and functionalities (apparently, the passive voice decided to be my instinct voice and the latent hero which doesn’t reveal the fact that this is not high on my priority list at all. You’ll understand what I mean if you know me!). (Full article here.)
Lithuania loses second CIA prison case in Strasbourg court - Lithuanian National Radio and Television, 16 Jan 24
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday awarded 100,000 euros to Saudi national Mustafa al-Hawsawi for his unlawful detention two decades ago at a suspected secret facility in Lithuania run by the US Central Intelligence Agency. “The court concluded that Mr al-Hawsawi had been within Lithuania’s jurisdiction and that the country had been responsible for the violations of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights,” the court said in a press release. Al-Hawsawi is currently being held in Guantanamo Bay. He was detained in Pakistan in 2003. The US alleges that he may have been involved in the 9/11 attacks. The ECHR found that although the man was probably not subjected to the harshest interrogation techniques, he was blindfolded or had a bag placed over his head when he was detained in Lithuania between 2005 and 2006. (Full article here.)
Jennifer Ewbank to Step Down as CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation - ExecutiveGov, 18 Jan 24
Jennifer Ewbank, who has been serving in the federal government for more than three decades, will step down from her role as deputy director for digital innovation at the CIA. In a LinkedIn post announcing the move, Ewbank said she will transition to the private sector, where she intends to continue her mission of strengthening U.S. national security. In her current role at the CIA, she leads efforts to advance the development and integration of cyber and digital capabilities across all mission areas, including cybersecurity, enterprise information technology, open source collection and reporting, data strategy and artificial intelligence. Ewbank, a two-time Wash100 awardee, also oversees the offices of the agency’s digital chief information officer, chief information security officer and chief data officer. She began her career at the State Department as a foreign service officer before joining the CIA. (Full article here.)
Australia 'Concerned' By Iranian Espionage Activities - Iran International, 17 Jan 24
In spite of Iranian denials, the Australian government admits it is “concerned” by Iran’s ongoing espionage activities. A spokeswoman for Australia’s Home Affairs Department told Iran International: “Last year, the Australian Government made it clear that it is concerned by reports of harassment and monitoring of people in Australia by foreign governments, including Iran.” Earlier this month, The Australian Financial Review published an interview with the Islamic Republic’s Ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, during which he rejected claims by Australia's Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil that the Iranian government had been spying on dissidents in Australia, insisting they were safe from harm or kidnapping. However, last year, O’Neil revealed that Australia had disrupted the activities of suspected Iranian intelligence who had conducted surveillance of the home of an Iranian-Australian dissident, as well as their family, part of a wider global crackdown in the wake of the 2022 uprising. "I just want to step back and say this again: we have here someone living in our country who is being followed, watched, photographing their home invaded by people at the direction of a foreign power. This is happening in Australia, and this is something ASIO was onto like a shot," O'Neil said last year. (Full article here.)
Harrison Ford’s Airplane Flew for the CIA’s Covert Airline - Motor Biscuit, 15 Jan 24
Harrison Ford has a place among the Hollywood elite who prefer to take the yoke rather than settle into a private jet. That’s right; Ford, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, is an action star with a pilot license and a hunger for hitting the blue skies. However, Ford’s favorite airplane isn’t some commonplace Cessna 172 or Piper PA. No, his single-engine De Havilland has a history with Air America, a CIA-run initiative. (Full article here.)
Canada ‘Red Flags’ Dozens Of PLA-Linked Institutes As Security Threat After Germany Warns Of Chinese “Spy Students” - The Eurasian Times, 17 Jan 24
Besides the 85 Chinese institutions, the list also includes six Russian and twelve Iranian organizations alleged to have some connections to “military, national defense or state security entities.” Global News reported that the list was published on the afternoon of January 17. According to the Ottawa administration, the listing is part of an effort to protect Canadian research and development against economic espionage and theft in critical industrial sectors, such as advanced weapons, aerospace and space technology, and quantum science and technology. François-Philippe Champagne, the federal industry minister, in a statement that “While its excellence and collaborative nature defines Canadian-led research, its openness can make it a target for foreign influence, increasing the potential risks for research and development efforts to be misappropriated to the detriment of national security.” The Federal government, however, stopped short of giving more specific information. Intriguingly, the federal authorities claimed during a technical briefing the same day that they were unsure of the extent to which Canadian research involved participants from overseas institutions. (Full article here.)
AFP counter-intel group to help curb espionage, sabotage vs. PH - Philippine News Agency, 19 Jan 24
A ranking military official said Friday the reactivated Armed Forces of the Philippines Counter-Intelligence Group (AFPCIG) would help the service's counter-intelligence operations nationwide. "(Its mission is) to conduct counter-intelligence nationwide to support the AFP mission," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked about the mandate of the AFPCIG. Trinidad, citing security reasons, did not provide other details on how these missions would be carried out. Counter-intelligence refers to military activities aimed at neutralizing espionage efforts by other countries and their agents. Trinidad said the AFPCIG was ordered reactivated based on a Jan. 11 memorandum issued by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Full article here.)
Britain's Cyber Spies Mark 80th Anniversary of Secret Code-Breaking Computer - US News and World Report, 17 Jan 24
Britain's GCHQ spy agency celebrated the 80th anniversary of Colossus on Thursday, putting the spotlight on a code-breaking computer which helped defeat Hitler's Germany and was so significant it was kept secret for decades. In 1944, Colossus, the world's first digital computer, decoded German messages which convinced Allied forces their year-long plan to deceive Hitler over the location of the invasion had been successful, giving D-Day the go-ahead. In the run-up to the landings on the French coast, a turning point in World War Two, Colossus played a pivotal role behind the scenes and is credited by many experts with shortening the war. (Full article here.)
Turkish intelligence operatives spied on a graduate school on US soil - Nordic Monitor, 18 Jan 24
A graduate school in the US state of Pennsylvania, along with its administrative and teaching staff, was targeted by the Turkish intelligence network between 2020 and 2023, as revealed by confidential documents obtained by Nordic Monitor. The documents, dated January 4 and signed by a police chief in Ankara, reveal that Turkish spies have gathered intelligence on Respect Graduate School, a private school situated in the city of Bethlehem. The comprehensive intelligence report discloses that 86 individuals, including US citizens and residents associated with the school, were profiled, and that their private information was transmitted to Turkey. The school, which offers a master of arts in Islamic studies, attracted the attention of Turkish intelligence, partially due to its emphasis on interfaith teaching and dialogue programs. This focus, perceived as a threat to Islam by the political Islamist government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made the institution a target for intelligence scrutiny. (Full article here.)
Israel security agency law to allow spying on journalists - Middle East Eye, 16 Jan 24
Israel’s security agency, known as the Shin Bet, has been granted the authority to spy on journalists, according to a draft new law. A report in Haaretz said the draft law gives the Shin Bet the power to conduct covert searches of computers and mobile phones without the owner’s knowledge. The law, however, would exclude lawyers, doctors, psychologists and clergy from being searched in the same way. If searches are needed to be carried out for these professions, further procedures need to be undertaken in order to see any data. The law is expected to grant the Shin Bet additional powers, including receiving comprehensive access to databases of state authorities, such as the police, national insurance and government ministries. (Full article here.)
Counterespionage Corner - Recent Arrests, Convictions, Expulsions, and more...
Cyberespionage Collection - Newly Identified Actors and Operations, Countermeasures, Policy, other...
- FBI, DHS Warn U.S. Firms of Cyber Threats from Chinese Drones - Flying, 18 Jan 24
- National Cyber Director Wants to Address Cybersecurity Talent Shortage by Removing Degree Requirement - Clearance Jobs, 18 Jan 24
- U.S. Government Prioritizes Cybersecurity Amidst Escalating Threats - BNN Breaking, 19 Jan 24
- CISA issues emergency directive to federal agencies regarding Connect Secure software - Business News, 20 Jan 24
- CNMF marks a decade Defending the Nation - U.S. Cyber Command, 17 Jan 24
- Ukraine 'Blackjack' Hackers Hit Jackpot in Russia - NewsWeek, 19 Jan 24
- Cyber Espionage Campaign Distributes Malware via YouTube Channels - Redmond, 19 Jan 24
- New Chinese Cyber Espionage Group Exploiting Vulnerabilities in VMware - ISP Today, 20 Jan 24
- Shin Bet: Iranian Cyber Spy Scheme Targets Israeli Officials, Civilians - Jewish Press, 15 Jan 24
- Shin Bet exposes Iranian cyber espionage targeting Israeli hostage families - Jerusalem Post, 15 Jan 24
- Cyber spies launch PDF campaign - Cyber News, 18 Jan 24
- Cyber Espionage Attack on the Indian Air Force: Go-Based Infostealer Exploits Slack for Data Theft - Cyble, 17 Jan 24
- ‘Operation RusticWeb’, A Cyber-Espionage Campaign Targeting the Indian Government, Seqrite Researchers reports - CIO News, 19 Jan 24
- Chinese Espionage Group UNC3886 Found Exploiting CVE-2023-34048 Since Late 2021 - Mandiant, 19 Jan 24
An International Path Forward on National Security Access to Personal Data - Lawfare, 16 Jan 24
For four decades, European courts have elaborated how governments must respect individual rights when their national security agencies obtain personal data for national security purposes. Jurisprudence from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg developed first and continues to be influential. Over the past decade, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg has added its voice, in part through the Schrems I and II judgments, which invalidated the adequacy decisions based on the Safe Harbor Framework and then the Privacy Shield—the successive legal frameworks for regulating transatlantic exchanges of personal data for commercial purposes. In 2023, the United States and the European Union concluded the Data Privacy Framework (DPF), successor to the Privacy Shield, for which the European Commission has likewise issued an adequacy decision. Washington, for its part, put in place a bolstered set of safeguards for national security data collection, outlined in Executive Order 14086. These safeguards also included the implementation of new intelligence community procedures on data handling and oversight, and an attorney general regulation establishing a Data Protection Review Court (DPRC), which created new and more robust institutional protections. One legal challenge has already been filed before the CJEU, and another is likely, raising the question whether the new DPF satisfies the standards for “necessity and proportionality” of data collection and for independent oversight and redress laid down in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU Charter). (Full report here.)
Recent NDAA Reforms Not Likely to Fix Key DHS Intelligence Abuses - Just Security, 17 Jan 24
In December, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains provisions regulating certain troubling intelligence activities of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has for years engaged in abusive domestic intelligence practices targeting Americans’ political views and broadly painting certain groups of Americans as terrorists. Since at least 2016, I&A officers have conducted interviews with people held in jails without sufficient constitutional protections, targeted journalists and activists protesting local monuments under the guise of homeland security, surveilled racial justice demonstrators, and monitored political views shared by millions of Americans — about topics like abortion, government, and elections — that DHS baldly asserts will lead to violence. I&A too often disseminates questionable intelligence to thousands of officials nationwide. This pattern of abuse continues today: I&A is currently engaged in an intelligence campaign that has empowered Georgia authorities to weaponize state terrorism and racketeering charges in a crackdown against activists protesting a police training facility in Atlanta. (Full report here.)
GRU Spetsnaz: The Batmen of Russia - Grey Dynamics, 18 Jan 24
The GRU Spetsnaz are special covert forces under the Russian Federation’s Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (GU/GRU). The GU is Russia’s main wing of foreign military intelligence, and reports directly to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff. (Source) Above all, it closely resembles the United State’s Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in purpose. Spetsnaz is a shortened ambiguation of spetsial’noe naznacheniya, meaning “of special purpose” or “of special designation.” These types of units were created to perform reconnaissance and covert actions behind enemy lines. Their doctrinal basis hails from that of Michael Svechnykvoc and Ilya Strarinov, the former influencing the latter to replicate unconventional tactics seen in the Spanish Civil War into Soviet doctrine (Full report here.)
Cyber Intelligence Operations in Armed Conflicts - Israel Defense, 18 Jan 24
For several years, symmetrical and asymmetrical wars have been initiated in cyberspace, which, over time, became the fifth battlefield after land, sea, air, and space. Today, more than ever, cybernetic means are part of the attack arsenal used by both state armies and terrorist groups. In addition to offensive cyber operations, today’s modern conflicts include cyber intelligence operations as part of the strategy. The civilian and military world is increasingly connected to numerous wireless devices (smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, GoPro cameras, CCTV, etc.), which opens up new opportunities for gathering intelligence on the enemy. Cyber intelligence operations are generally divided into several complementary activities, including OSINT, Cyber HUMINT, and the development and delivery of spyware. Cyber intelligence became, over time, a very useful method to collect information on targets, infrastructures, and troop movements on the ground. In armed conflicts, state-sponsored and terrorist groups use social engineering techniques, referring to psychological manipulation and deception, to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive military information, critical facilities, or resources for strategic purposes. (Full report here.)
What Is The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Its Relevance to the Space Economy? - New Space Economy, 15 Jan 24
In the complex web of the United States intelligence community, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) stands out as a unique and essential component, particularly in its interplay with the burgeoning space economy. This article reviews the NGA’s mission, functions, and its relationship with the space economy. The NGA’s inception dates back to 1996, when it was established as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). It unified various entities involved in mapmaking and satellite imagery analysis, such as the Defense Mapping Agency and the Central Imagery Office. In 2003, it was rechristened the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, reflecting its broadened scope and the evolution of geospatial intelligence. The NGA is tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). This discipline involves imagery and geospatial information analysis to map and describe Earth’s physical features and activities. The agency’s key functions include... (Read full report here.)
The Secret History of Area 51 with Peter Merlin - Secrets and Spies Podcast, 19 Jan 24
On today’s episode, Matt speaks with aerospace historian Peter Merlin, whose new book, “Dreamland: The Secret History of Area 51,” is the first authoritative, scholarly history ever published on the infamous top-secret base located deep in the Nevada desert. This isn’t a book about UFOs or conspiracy theories, but instead offers a sweeping, comprehensive study of the REAL Area 51, where for seventy years the US Air Force has developed and tested classified military aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71 spy planes, the F-117 stealth fighter, and numerous other projects that will remain a secret for decades to come. (55 mins) (Listen here.)
Who are the Russian spies creating chaos in the West? Christo Grozev explains unit 29155 - The Insider World, 18 Jan 24
Who are the Russian GRU spies from unit 29155 creating chaos in the West for over a decade? And who's taking over Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner fiefdom in Africa? The Insider's Christo Grozev sits down with Simon Ostrovsky to explain 29155 and reveal why he himself is on the Kremlin's kill list. And stay with the story to hear Grozev expose a plot against chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov for the first time. (30 mins) (Listen here.)
The Latest from International Spy Museum Historian Andrew Hammond, PhD.
Spycast is the official podcast of the International Spy Museum and hosts interviews with intelligence experts on matters of HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, OSINT, and GEOINT. Spycast is hosted by historian Andrew Hammond, PhD.
16 Jan | Rise of the Devils: The Origins of Modern Terrorism with James Crossland. James Crossland joins Andrew to discuss the origins of modern terrorism. James is an expert on terrorism, intelligence, and propaganda.
The Latest Insights from Former CIA Acting Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine.
In Other News The proprietary analytic newsletter crafted for The Arkin Group's private clients by former CIA Acting Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine.
18 Jan | At the World Economic Forum in Davos, this year’s theme was “Rebuilding Trust” - but in the coming months, actions will speak louder than words. This week, some of the world’s leading political and economic figures gathered in Switzerland not only to envision the future, but to discuss how to repair something that’s seemingly been lost. The theme acknowledges how in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the foundation of the established post-WWII world order has been shaken. (Full report here.)
Daily Analysis of Security Issues and Geopolitical Trends
Intel Brief The Soufan Center's flagship, daily analytical product focused on complex security issues and geopolitical trends that may shape regional or international affairs. The Soufan Center was founded by former FBI Special Agent and Soufan Group CEO Ali Soufan.
23 Jan | Iran Demonstrates Strength to Keep Adversaries at Bay
In the context of the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war throughout the region and Iranian leadership fears of a looming direct conflict with Washington, Iran conducted a significant show of force over two days last week. Yet, unlike the post-October 7 actions of Iran’s allies in Iraq and Syria, the display of Iranian might was not directed against any U.S. forces or facilities but rather against non-state actors and purported agents of Israel. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), whose air force fields Iran’s missile arsenal, fired twenty-four ballistic missiles from three different regions within its borders on targets manned by Tehran’s opponents based in Syria and Iraq. A day later, Iran carried out airstrikes in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, targeting armed groups Iran claimed had taken shelter there. To emphasize Iran’s technological prowess, one of the missiles used in the strikes - reaching Syria’s Idlib Province - was the Kheibar Shekan (“fortress destroyer”), a ballistic missile with a maximum range of 900 miles, not used or transferred previously.
22 Jan | Despite the Terrorism Designation, the Houthis Remain Undeterred
19 Jan | Iran and Pakistan Exchange Fire with Each Targeting Suspected Militants
18 Jan | Taiwanese Elections Could Signal an Uptick in Cross-Strait Tensions with China
17 Jan | Washington Struggles to Stem the Slide Toward Regional War
16 Jan | Are the US and Iran Headed Toward Conflict?
Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and former CIA Chief Operating Officer Andy Makridis on critical security challenges.
Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch is a Beacon Global Strategies podcast.
16 Jan | Targeting a Nuclear Smuggler: Jim Lawler Andy talks with former Chief of the CIA's Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit Jim Lawler about the agency's efforts targeting the 'Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Program' the late Abdul Qadeer Khan. Andy also talks with Jim about his espionage novels including 'Living Lies', 'In the Twinkling of an Eye' and 'The Traitor's Tale'.
Secrets of Espionage with former FBI Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director Alan Kohler - State Secrets Podcast, 21 Jan 24
Alan Kohler spent 27 years at the FBI, where his priority for decades, was hunting down spies who were operating in the United States. As Assistant Director of the Bureau’s Counterintelligence Division, Kohler had a hand in nearly every espionage operation the Bureau conducted. He also served as Acting Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch and was Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence Division before he retired last year and joined The Cipher Brief’s Expert Network. He is also President of Pamir Consulting. State Secrets sat down with Kohler to uncover some of the highlights of the cases he was involved in that made national and global headlines. In his first podcast interview, we also talked about why espionage and elections are still very top-of-mind for him – particularly when it comes to Russia and China. (33 mins) (Listen here.)
Day in the Life of an AI-Augmented Analyst by Former CIA Executive William Usher - Special Competitive Studies Project, 10 Jan 24
SCSP’s Fall 2023 report, “Generative AI: The Future of Innovation Power,” emphasized the transformative impact of AI in redefining intelligence work through the integration of AI tools with human judgment. This report serves as a backdrop for understanding the tangible benefits and practical applications of AI in intelligence analysis, as seen through the eyes of an intelligence officer in the following newsletter: "CIA headquarters is quiet when I arrive on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. – save for the clacking of analysts on keyboards and footsteps down the hallway. Coffee in hand, I am ready for whatever the day might bring. As usual, I log into my AI-assisted workstation, which in typical government fashion has a complex name that is reduced to a pithy acronym. “ALICE” (Augmented LLM and Intelligence Cataloging Enterprise) buzzes to life and populates my desktop with the day’s most critical documents. My analytic “account” (the intelligence topic I work on) is fast-paced and busy. As a Terror Finance Analyst following Hizballah, I work to provide detailed, accurate intelligence reports to the policymakers I support. Each day, nearly 800 pieces of intelligence are waiting for my review – everything from NSA signals intelligence files to satellite imagery to leadership reports to long-term analysis from other agencies. ALICE filters through all of it..." (Read more here.)
Israel’s Actions in Lebanon offer a Warning for Tehran and Moscow by former CIA Executive Glenn Corn - Cipher Brief, 17 Jan 24
Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, many commentators in the West were quick to cite the failure of Israel’s Intelligence and Security structures to identify and disrupt the Hamas attacks before they took place. These commentators seemed anxious to rush to judgement on what happened and how the Israeli Intelligence Services failed. Others, more accurately noted that Israel’s failure was a political failure, vice an intelligence failure. We now know that Israeli intelligence services did collect information on Hamas’ attack planning but a failure of leadership in Israel at multiple levels played a major part in the October tragedy. There also remains the very strong possibility that Iranian-backed Hamas conducted a successful offensive counter-intelligence operation against the State of Israel designed to deceive the Israelis about Hamas’ true plans and intentions. To achieve such success, Hamas would have to have exploited Israeli overconfidence and hubris in the same way state that non-state actors have successfully planned and executed large-scale denial and deception and offensive counter-intelligence operations, to mislead western Intelligence Services, including the U.S. (Read more here.)
After Gaza: A Political and Economic Path Forward by former CIA Executive Dr. Emile Nakhleh - Cipher Brief, 17 Jan 24
As the Gaza war enters its fourth month, it’s become abundantly clear that Israel’s massive military response and the assassinations campaign have failed to defeat Hamas or to end the Israel Palestine conflict. Although Hamas in the long run, cannot militarily win against Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should realize by now that his original goal of eliminating the group is unattainable. The killing of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians and the destruction of the infrastructure in Gaza have not forced Hamas to surrender or concede defeat. Hamas’s governing structure over Gaza might be dismantled because of the Israeli offensive, but the miserable realities on the ground that gave rise to Hamas in the first place will likely beget another militant group if the current conditions prevail. We already see the Houthis opening a new front in Yemen and Iran is hitting targets beyond its borders. (Read more here.)
Israel-Hamas War: At 100 Days with former CIA Executives Morrell, Roule, Snyder, and Nakhleh - The Hayden Center, 18 Jan 24
Panel discussion with former CIA leaders Michael Morell, Norman Roule, Rodney Snyder, and Emile Nakhleh (78 mins) (Watch here.)
Ex CIA and MI6 Leaders on Top 2024 Threats with Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and Former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove - One Decision Podcast, 17 Jan 24
International terrorism is coming back—that’s the stark warning from former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell. Following the January 6th insurrection in Washington, the United States government agencies said that far-right groups posed the greatest threat to national security—an assessment Morell says ought to be revisited in the light of the radicalizing nature of the war in Gaza. Morell sits down with One Decision’s resident spymaster, the former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove and discusses the famed Abbottabad raid where Osama Bin Laden had been hiding, and the rapidly evolving espionage threat from China. (44 mins) (Listen here.)
The world is facing a ‘greater number of challenges’ with Former CIA Director Petraus - Sky News Australia, 18 Jan 24
Former US Army general David Petraeus has provided his outlook on the world, which is facing a “greater number” and a “more complex array” of challenges in 2024. He was formerly the International Security Assistance Force commander and Central Intelligence Agency director. “If you think of the US … as the guy in the circus who has to keep a lot of different plates spinning, there are more plates in that tent that we have to keep spinning, so there’s a greater number of them,” General Petraeus told Sky News host Erin Molan. “There are obviously all the challenges that we see now in the greater Middle East – Israel, of course, attempting to destroy Hamas, something I believe does need to be done; the Houthis, the Iranian-supported Shia element in Yemen that is disrupting maritime traffic – 15 per cent of the world’s maritime trade goes through the Red Sea. “What you have is, again, a greater number of challenges and a more complex array of challenges.” (04 mins) (Watch here.)
Three Plausible Conspiracy Theories by Former CIA Ops Officer and Forner U.S. DOE Director of Intelligence and Counterintelligence Bruce Held - A Spy's Guide to American History, 20 Jan 24
It is historically certain that Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that hit and killed President Kennedy. There may or may not have been other shooters at Dealey Plaza that day. There may or may not have been a broader conspiracy lurking behind Oswald. But it is historically certain that he fired the shots that hit and killed the President. So let’s look at Oswald’s movements after he shot the President to see what we can learn. To anyone trained in espionage, these movements reveal that Oswald was trying to escape and had a plan to do so which almost worked. The key question is to what or to whom Oswald was trying to escape? Where was he going the moment before he was stopped by Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit? Was Oswald just going out to the highway to hitchhike down to the Mexican border? Maybe. But the fact that he only had $8 on him when arrested, having left $170 and his gold wedding ring that morning for his wife, might suggest that Oswald expected to meet somebody. Who? (Read more here.)
Article: House Passes Bill Limiting Ability of Gov't to Spy on Journalists or Compel Disclosure of Sources - Red State, 20 Jan 24
While good investigative journalists protect their sources and any information that could lead to the discovery of a source's identity, there's no federal law protecting journalists who refuse to reveal their sources and no law preventing courts from ordering a journalist to reveal their sources. Some journalists have even had their communications with sources and potential interviewees secretly monitored by government agencies, and there's no accountability for that. Obviously, without some type of protections, the press cannot do its job of informing the public and holding the powerful to account. While 48 states and the District of Columbia have some kind of laws protecting a journalist's privilege, right now there's no national standard shielding the press from court orders or subpoenas, or even from government surveillance. A bill sponsored by freshman Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) would change that. (Read full report here.)
Article: Iran attacks Israel's 'espionage centers' in Iraq, state media says - The Japan Times, 16 Jan 24
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the "espionage headquarters" of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck in Syria against the Islamic State group. "Ballistic missiles were used to destroy espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups in the region late tonight," Iran's Guards said in a statement, naming Israel's Mossad spy agency. In addition to those strikes northeast of Kurdistan's capital Erbil in a residential area near the U.S. consulate, the Guards said they launched attacks against the "perpetrators of terrorist operations" in Iran, including the Islamic State group. No U.S. facilities were impacted by the missiles strikes, two U.S. officials said. (Read full report here.)
Article: Google says Russian espionage crew behind new malware campaign - Tech Radar, 19 Jan 24
For more than a year now, Russian state-sponsored threat actors have been targeting Ukraine’s military and defense organizations with custom-made malware. This is according to researchers from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG), who dubbed the threat actors COLDRIVER - with other security teams tracking this group’s activity call them Star Blizzard, UNC4057 and Callisto. According to TAG's report, COLDRIVER was observed back in 2019, going after military, government, academia, NGOs, and similar targets, in the West. However, since early 2022 and the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the group stepped up its efforts by creating a brand new backdoor. This backdoor, called SPICA, can run shell commands, steal session cookies from the most popular browsers, upload and download files, view and exfiltrate sensitive documents. (Read full report here.)
Article: Visa sought for Chinese spy by UK brokerage, says whistleblower - Financial Times, 16 Jan 2024
The compliance officer of a UK foreign exchange brokerage was told by his employer to obtain a visa for an alleged Chinese spy, according to claims set out in an employment tribunal ruling. The UK subsidiary of a Hong Kong-registered group, Goldenway Global Investments, sought a work visa for an individual who it transpired was a “Chinese espionage agent”, according to allegations brought by Bharat Bhagani, a former compliance officer at the company. The claim that the company sought to obtain a visa for a Chinese espionage agent is the latest in a growing roster of espionage cases between the UK and China. Beijing earlier this month accused the UK of instructing the head of a foreign consulting firm to spy on China and recruit agents for the British intelligence services. (Read more here.)
Article: Ethical Espionage - New York Review, 08 Feb 24
On October 7, as Hamas fighters roared into southern Israel from Gaza, bringing terror and death to anyone they encountered—Israeli soldiers, Bedouins, young people dancing and getting high together, kibbutzniks scooping up small children into desperate arms—I was sleeping in a comfortable hotel room in Georgia. All around me in the sultry darkness of a beautiful resort, many of the US intelligence community’s finest minds were also slumbering. We awoke with the expectation that we would be addressed by CIA director William Burns at the opening of the Cipher Brief’s annual Threat Conference, a yearly gathering of national security professionals from the private and public sectors, plus a few academics and journalists. (Read full report here.)
Article: Google: Russian state hackers deploying malware in espionage attacks around Europe - The Record, 18 Jan 24
Russian state hackers are increasingly attempting to deploy backdoors on the devices of targets in NATO countries and Ukraine, according to new research from Google’s Threat Analysis Group. The researchers found that the tactics of hackers from Center 18, a unit within Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), have evolved in recent months to more sophisticated efforts involving .pdf files. The researchers dub the hackers COLDRIVER and said that since November 2022 they have lured victims into downloading backdoors onto their devices through the documents. For years, Center 18 has been a key part of the Russian government’s hacking operations, participating in efforts to compromise systems used by the U.S. government, among others. (Read full report here.)
Article: US intelligence: Russian war against Ukraine to last at least two more years, both sides too exhausted - Interfax Ukraine, 19 Jan 24
Regardless of what happens in U.S. politics in the current year 2024, representatives of American and Western intelligence believe that the Russian war against Ukraine is likely to last at least two more years, and some U.S. and Western officials say that fighting could last up to five more years, CNN said on Friday. The U.S. military representative in Europe predicts that another attempt at a major Ukrainian counter-offensive to split Russian forces in occupied Melitopol will occur no earlier than two years from now. According to him, Ukraine or Russia will not be able to achieve any significant successes on the battlefield in 2024, since both sides are "too exhausted in terms of troops and equipment to see huge moves in 2024," this person said. The Ukrainians have discussed 2025 being "a more feasible option in terms of what they can generate to start another offensive," the publication said. (Read full report here.)
Article: Russian professor arrested in Estonia on espionage charges - The Guardian, 16 Jan 24
Regardless of what happens in U.S. politics in the current year 2024, representatives of American and Western intelligence believe that the Russian war against Ukraine is likely to last at least two more years, and some U.S. and Western officials say that fighting could last up to five more years, CNN said on Friday. The U.S. military representative in Europe predicts that another attempt at a major Ukrainian counter-offensive to split Russian forces in occupied Melitopol will occur no earlier than two years from now. According to him, Ukraine or Russia will not be able to achieve any significant successes on the battlefield in 2024, since both sides are "too exhausted in terms of troops and equipment to see huge moves in 2024," this person said. The Ukrainians have discussed 2025 being "a more feasible option in terms of what they can generate to start another offensive," the publication said. (Read full report here.)
Article: Zvi Zamir, Israeli Spy Chief in a Critical Period, Dies at 98 - New York Times, 16 Jan 24
Zvi Zamir, who as the director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency led a violent campaign to crush Palestinian terrorism after 11 Israelis were killed at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics — and who a year later relayed a warning to his government that Egypt and Syria were about to start the Yom Kippur War but was not taken seriously — died on Jan. 2. He was 98. His death was announced by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The announcement did not say where he died. “Zamir led a determined and initiative-taking approach in the State of Israel’s fight against Palestinian terrorism, which was strengthening at that time,” Mr. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. Terrorism was an increasing concern for Israel when Mr. Zamir was named the Mossad’s director in 1968. No incident crystallized that threat more than the attack by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September on the Israeli delegation at its dormitory in the Olympic Village in Munich on Sept. 5, 1972. (Read full report here.) (NOTE: Access to this article may require a one-time, free registration or a paid subscription.)
Article: Business Intelligence - Ignoring Geopolitical Risk During & After Cross-Border M&A Can Destroy Your Valuation in Minutes by AFIO member Christopher Mason - Corporate Compliance Insights, 05 Dec 23
Globally, M&A investment is down significantly in 2023 due to a wide range of economic and geopolitical factors affecting companies worldwide. As savvy M&A investors seek to deploy investment reserves in Q4 2023 and into 2024, it will be important to ensure that any related M&A due diligence processes also include geopolitical risk analysis based on sound intelligence. In an era of tight credit and supply chain flux due to tensions around China and Russia, geopolitical risk intelligence is critical for establishing an accurate valuation and ensuring a smooth post-deal integration process. Issues like inflation caused by government overspending or risks of losing market access due to war could rapidly invalidate an organization’s valuation model. Similarly, national spikes in crime can drive away in-person consumers, just as an electoral shift can create corruption risks that can quickly sap a company of profitability. So, how can you account for geopolitical risk during the M&A due diligence process? It starts with gathering the right intelligence. (Read full report here.)
Article: The Limits of US Spying in Beirut - SpyTalk, 17 Jan 24
In the mountains overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean, a new, ultra-modern American embassy is about to open any day now. But the timing, coinciding with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and President Joe Biden's deepening military engagement on several related Middle Eastern fronts, could not be more dangerous for the diplomats posted there. And for the CIA officers at the agency’s storied Beirut station, the challenge of collecting timely, accurate, on-the-ground intelligence to help inform the president’s policy decisions remains as daunting as ever. The new Beirut embassy will open at a time when Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia has been showing its support for Hamas for the past three months by initiating artillery duels with Israeli forces along their shared border. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Israeli warplanes and artillery struck Hezbollah targets deep inside southern Lebanon, heightening concerns that the fighting could grow into a full-blown war. (Read full report here.)
Article: British Intelligence-Gathering during the Revolutionary War - American Philosophical Society, 16 Jan 24
In the David Center for the American Revolution’s microfilm holdings at the American Philosophical Society, there is a memorandum book of military intelligence gathered by the British Army in 1778. A close examination of the book sheds light on both broader British war aims and the key sources of intelligence they relied on to prosecute the war effort. The dimensions of the Revolutionary War changed significantly in 1778. During the first three years of the war, the conflict was confined to North America. But with the American victory at the Battles of Saratoga in October 1777, France decided to join the war on the American side, and their alliance was officially cemented in February 1778. With France now in the war, the conflict became a global struggle between Britain, France, and their respective empires. (Read full report here.)
Article: Iran says Revolutionary Guards attack Israel's 'spy HQ' in Iraq, vow more revenge - Reuters, 16 Jan 24
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the spy headquarters of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck in Syria against the Islamic State. The strikes come amid concerns about the escalation of a conflict that has spread through the Middle East since the war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas began on Oct. 7, with Iran's allies also entering the fray from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. "In response to the recent atrocities of the Zionist regime, causing the killing of commanders of the Guards and the Axis of Resistance ... one of the main Mossad espionage headquarters in Iraq's Kurdistan region was destroyed with ballistic missiles," the Guards said in a statement. Israeli government officials could not immediately be reached for comment. In addition to the strikes at northeast of Kurdistan's capital Erbil in a residential area near the U.S. consulate, the Guards said they "fired a number of ballistic missiles in Syria and destroyed the perpetrators of terrorist operations" in Iran, including the Islamic State. (Read full report here.)
Article: Air Force: Downed A-50 spy plane 'serious blow' to Russia's aviation - The Kyiv Independent, 21 Jan 24
Russia's loss of a Beriev A-50 spy aircraft recently downed by Ukraine won't dramatically affect the distribution of forces in the Ukrainian sky but will likely force Russia's aviation "to behave more cautiously," Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat told Ukrainska Pravda on Jan. 16. A day before, Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force had destroyed a Russian A-50 military observation plane and an Ilyushin Il-22 plane that operates as an airborne command post. According to the Air Force, the Il-22 managed to land in Russia after it was hit but can not be repaired. Russia's A-50 aircraft provides several critical functions for the ongoing war in Ukraine, such as detecting air defense systems, guided missiles, and coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. Russia only possesses nine of these planes. It is unclear how the planes were brought down, but Ukraine received several pieces of advanced air defense systems in 2023, including Patriots from the U.S., which some analysts have alleged could have been responsible. (Read full report here.)
Books — Forthcoming, Newly Released, Overlooked
Displaced Comrades: Politics and Surveillance in the Lives of Soviet Refugees in the West
by Ebony Nilsson
(Bloomsbury Academic, 14 Dec 23)
This book explores the lives of left-wing Soviet refugees who fled the Cold War to settle in Australia, and uncovers how they adjusted to life under surveillance in the West. As Cold War tensions built in the postwar years, many of these refugees happily resettled in the West as model refugees, proof of capitalist countries’ superiority. But for a few, this was not the case. Displaced Comrades provides an account of these Cold War misfits, those refugees who fled East for West, but remained left-wing or pro-Soviet. Drawing on interviews, government records and surveillance dossiers from multiple continents this book explores how these refugees’ ideas took root in new ways. As these radical ideas drew suspicion from western intelligence these everyday lives were put under surveillance, shadowed by the persistent threat of espionage. With unprecedented access to intelligence records, Nilsson focuses on how a number of these left-wing refugees adjusted to life in Australia, opening up a previously invisible segment of postwar migration history, and offering a new exploration of life as a Soviet ‘enemy alien’ in the West.
Purchase book here.
World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence
by Mark Stout
(University Press of Kansas, 16 Nov 23)
Ask an American intelligence officer to tell you when the country started doing modern intelligence and you will probably hear something about the Office of Strategic Services in World War II or the National Security Act of 1947 and the formation of the Central Intelligence Agency. What you almost certainly will not hear is anything about World War I. In World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence, Mark Stout establishes that, in fact, World War I led to the realization that intelligence was indispensable in both wartime and peacetime. After a lengthy gestation that started in the late nineteenth century, modern American intelligence emerged during World War I, laying the foundations for the establishment of a self-conscious profession of intelligence. Virtually everything that followed was maturation, reorganization, reinvigoration, or reinvention. World War I ushered in a period of rapid changes. Never again would the War Department be without an intelligence component. Never again would a senior American commander lead a force to war without intelligence personnel on their staff. Never again would the United States government be without a signals intelligence agency or aerial reconnaissance capability. Stout examines the breadth of American intelligence in the war, not just in France, not just at home, but around the world and across the army, navy, and State Department, and demonstrates how these far-flung efforts endured after the Armistice in 1918. For the first time, there came to be a group of intelligence practitioners who viewed themselves as different from other soldiers, sailors, and diplomats. Upon entering World War II, the United States had a solid foundation from which to expand to meet the needs of another global hot war and the Cold War that followed.
Order book here.
The Secrets of Spies: Inside the hidden world of international agents
by Heather Vescent, Adrian Gilbert, Rob Colson
(Weldon Owen, 27 Oct 20)
From James Bond to Mata Hari, in scores of books and movies, and on the front pages of newspapers, spies have always captured our imagination. But what’s the truth behind the fiction? The Secrets of Spies sheds light on the mysterious life of the spy, explaining the real-life origins of spying, examining some of history’s most notorious spies and spycatchers, and revealing the role espionage plays today in business, politics, and everyday life. Filled with lavish illustrations and hundreds of full-color photographs, this book provides hours of fun and entertainment for any reader. Narrated in an engaging, compelling style, The Secrets of Spies is a thrilling, in-depth global investigation of the hidden history of espionage. From ninja assassins to computer hackers, the book uncovers the tools, tricks, and techniques that make up the daring art of the spy.
Order book here.
True Intelligence Matters in Film - Spycraft, Episode 8: Recruiting the Perfect Spy - Marek Bures, Maria Berry, Jan Spindler (2021)
What leads someone to spy against their own nation? Motivations vary but tend to fall into one of four categories, as notorious cases demonstrate.
More information about this based-on-true-events production here.
Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recent Content
Infographic: Visualizing the BRICS Expansion in 4 Charts - Visual Capitalist, 24 Aug 23
BRICS is an association of five major countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Distinguished by their emerging economies, the group has sought to improve diplomatic coordination, reform global financial institutions, and ultimately serve as a counterbalance to Western hegemony. On Aug. 24, 2023, BRICS announced that it would formally accept six new members at the start of 2024: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this graphic, we provide a data-driven overview of how the BRICS expansion will grow the group’s influence and reach. (View graphic here.)
Walking Tours - "Spies of Embassy Row" and "Spies of Georgetown" - Washington, DC - Sundays (Dates/Times Vary)
Former intelligence officers guide visitors on two morning and afternoon espionage-themed walking tours: "Spies of Embassy Row" and "Spies of Georgetown." For more information and booking, click here or contact rosanna@spyher.co
Jonathan Monsein — Decorated Career Federal Officer
Jonathan R. Monsein, Age 64, of Ellicott City, Maryland, formerly of Malden and Melrose, Massachusetts, entered Eternal Rest unexpectedly on January 12, 2024. Jon graduated from St. John's Prep in 1976, after he attended Villanova University graduating in 1980. He worked for 34 years as technical director for the Department of Defense, retiring in June 2014. He spent most of his career in the Enterprise Information Technology organization. Since 2017, he was a director of infrastructure services for NScale Enthusiast. While with the Department of Defense, Jon was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Director's Distinguished Service Medal.
Randy Pherson — Decorated Career CIA Analyst, National Intelligence Officer, Thought Leader
Randolph Howard Pherson, 74, passed away on January 11, 2024 at his home in Great Falls, Virginia, after a courageous battle with VEXAS, a rare inflammatory syndrome identified in 2020. Randy was the co-founder of Pherson Associates, which he started with his wife, Katherine Hibbs Pherson, to develop and share best practices in analytic thinking based on what they had learned and practiced during their careers at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Randy was best known in the international intelligence community for his thought leadership and development of Structured Analytic Techniques (SATs), a term coined by his wife to describe a set of qualitative methods to help analysts mitigate bias while framing complex issues and diagnosing possible outcomes. He was the author of 13 books on analytic thinking and presentation and sought multiple ways to share his insights through classes, presentations, and dozens of articles, particularly enjoying teaching and mentoring students across the globe. Applying analytic thinking to his own medical issues, Randy used SATs to enable a last-minute cardiac procedure that saved his life in 2014 and chronicled the story in How to Get the Right Diagnosis: 16 Tips for Navigating the Medical System. Despite this success, he soon began experiencing a confusing array of symptoms that would not be diagnosed as VEXAS until 8 years later. Randy Pherson was born in Washington, DC. He received an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University. A recipient of the Intelligence Community's Distinguished Intelligence Medal and CIA's Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, he was serving as the National Intelligence Officer (NIO) for Latin America when he took early retirement in 2000. He guided development of Pherson Associates' government work as President from 2003-2021 and served as CEO of Globalytica, a subsidiary of Pherson specializing in classes and publications for international and private industry clients.
- Call for Information: Private civilian researcher seeking information about VADM Eric Burkhalter and Colonel Roy Jonkers working in the Defense Intelligence Agency during the period of 1980 to 1985, and VADM Burkhalter’s activities as Director, Intelligence Community Staff during that time. Contact Thomas Whitmore at twhitmore87@gmail.com.
- Call for Information: Professor Emerita Joan Beaumont, Australian National University, Canberra, is currently revising, for republication in 2025, her 1988 book on Australian prisoners of war on Ambon, Gull Force: Survival and Leadership in Captivity. The POW at Tan Tui (Tan Toey), Ambon, was bombed twice during the war, on 15 February 1943 and 28 August 1944. These raids were two of many on the island. I am trying to ascertain whether the presence of the POW camp was known to the USAAF and RAAF when they set targets for bombing the island. The existence of the POW camp was reported by men who escaped back to Australia in March–April 1942 and reported to Army Headquarters in Melbourne. This information was shared with senior US naval officers (Vice Admiral Leary vetoed a proposed rescue plan in June 1942). My question: would this intelligence have been forwarded to air force bases in the Norther Territory? And how were targets for bombing raids set? The Australian official history of the air war in the Pacific by George Odgers (vol. II 41) suggests that the squadron involved in the 15 February 1943 bombing might have been no 319, 90th Bombardment Group, based at Fenton. Any information that might be germane to my research should be sent to joan.beaumont@anu.edu.au. or +61418376909.
- National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA) for High School Students: 15-19 July 2024. University of Northern Georgia - Cumming Campus. $149 fee covers meals, course materials, and the motor coach travel on the last day of the program. Scholarships available. Application deadline 15 April 2024. More information, including eligibility and application, here.
- Call for Interviews: Alex W. Palmer, a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine, is working on a book about the history of American intelligence on China. He's looking to speak with any intelligence officers who worked in or on China during their career, from whatever timeframe and in whatever role. He can be reached at alex.palmer@nytimes.com and +1-262-894-7160 on Signal.
- Call for Information: Dr. Andrew Hammond and Dr. Mark Stout are seeking interviewees for a journal article on the CIA’s Office of Soviet Analysis (SOVA). The final output will be based on oral history interviews which can be (a) on-the-record (b) off-the-record or (c) utilizing a pseudonym. The data will be used for this project only and thereafter destroyed. Our aim is to understand how people who served in SOVA or who worked alongside SOVA made sense of it: what was it like, what was its culture, what were its strengths and weaknesses, how did it relate to the rest of the CIA and other agencies, is there anything we can learn from SOVA re the new era of Great Power Conflict, etc.? If you served in SOVA during the period 1981 to 1992 and would like to be interviewed, please contact Dr. Andrew Hammond at ahammond@spymuseum.org.
- Call for Information: Seeking information on Al "Albert" Purdum, stationed at Arlington Hall 55, Defense Language School - Albanian 55-56, NSA Linguist, Sr. Cryptologist 57-95. Looking for colleagues or friends who knew him, of him. Researching Role of National Security Linguists and Foreign Affairs. Contact cristina.purdum@gmail.com.
- Call for Information: Seeking information on Octavio Bermudez, State/Commerce Attache Latin America Crosley Broadcasting- 1922-1942. Sources needed - Passenger list of Hoover's 1928 Good Will Tour, Details/objectives by country, 25 year agreement with Ecuador to build broadcast station in Quito- role in Open Source Enterprise, WWII locating Axis Spies, American Propaganda/Spy Communication Network. 41-46 OCIAA propaganda, embedded code/scripts for broadcast, hand delivered to Crosley, Cincinnati - the only fenced compound, with 24 hr. armed guards, watch tower. Researching Role of Foreign Service Attaches - Development of American Broadcasting Capabilities pre WWII in Latin America. Contact cristina.purdum@gmail.com.
- Call for Information: Author drafting a book on the Clinton administration seeks contact with the person who served as COS Manila in November 1996 for the purpose of background research. Members who can identify the COS and/or are in contact with him, please forward this request to the COS or contact the author. Responses may be sent to dpluchinsky@rocketmail.com.
- Call for Information: Seeking information on, Sgt Major Charles “Chuck” Remagen, assigned to MACV/SOG in Vietnam 67-68. Seek details about his role as a Sgt Major with MACV “Studies and Observations Group in Vietnam 7/1/67 to 1/21/68. Responses may be sent to magen@hotmail.com.
- Call for Sources: Intelligence activities in Grenada and the southern Caribbean between 1979 and Operation Urgent Fury, Leonard Barrett. The Washington Post is developing a multi-part audio documentary series chronicling the Grenadian revolution and the US intervention in 1983. They have interviewed nearly 100 individuals so far--heads of state, former Grenadian officials, current and former US officials, veterans, and intelligence officers. They are interested in speaking to individuals who served at the time and are knowledgeable about intelligence activities in Grenada and the southern Caribbean between 1979 and Operation Urgent Fury, and persons who knew Leonard Barrett during the same period. If you are interested in participating, contact Washington Post reporter Ted Muldoon at ted.muldoon@washpost.com or on Signal at 651-497-5449.
- Call For Articles: AFIO Journal, The Intelligencer AFIO is seeking authors for its section on "When Intelligence Made a Difference" in the semi-annual Intelligencer journal. Topics of interest for which we are seeking authors include:
- The Richard Sorge espionage ring in Tokyo in World War II and
the impact of his intelligence on Stalin and the battle for Moscow.
- How Rommel’s Afrika Korps used SIGINT against the British in
World War II.
- How A.Q. Khan’s nuclear proliferation efforts were uncovered
and stopped.
- The breaking of the Nazi U-boat SHARK encryption system.
- How US intelligence found Usama Bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan.
- How allied SIGINT isolated the Afrika Korps from its logistics chain.
- How US intelligence discovered the Soviet’s high speed Shkval torpedo.
- Intelligence and the rescue of Scott O’Grady.
- Other topics are also welcome.
Interested authors can contact The Intelligencer's senior editor, Peter Oleson, at peter.oleson@afio.com
- Wanted: Retired Federal Government Employees - NSA - Fort Meade, Maryland
The National Security Agency (NSA) may occasionally need skilled civilian retirees to augment the existing work force on high priority projects or programs. In order to fill these temporary positions quickly, we need to know who may be interested and available to return to work with us on a short notice basis as well as their skills. Retired federal government employees at NSA provide expertise and corporate knowledge to temporarily support mission requirements, manpower shortfalls, and/or mentor the next generation of Agency employees. Applications accepted until 30 September 2024.
Additional information and application here.
- Assistant/Associate Professor of Intelligence Studies (Global Security and Intelligence Studies) - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, Arizona
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus is accepting applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate-level professor of intelligence studies to teach intelligence courses to students in the Global Security and Intelligence program. The successful candidate will teach students about the intelligence community, strategic intelligence, the intelligence cycle and intelligence analysis, writing, and briefing. Prior experience working in the intelligence community is strongly preferred. We are interested in candidates with teaching acumen in intelligence analysis and writing using structured analytical techniques.
Additional information and application here.
Monday, 5 Feb 2024, noon CST - The San Antonio AFIO Chapter Intelligence Briefing on the Communist Chinese Military Goals - In-Person, San Antonio, TX
The San Antonio AFIO Chapter will have its next meeting on 5 Feb 2024 (a Monday) at 12 (noon) at Blue Skies of Texas West. The topic will be the modernization of the Communist Chinese military and para military forces and the Communist Chinese Party's plans on how they will use these forces as they advance toward becoming the Earth's global power. Chinese planners considers the neutralization of US power projection to be one of their most important goals. The presentation will be done by John Franklin, the AFIO San Antonio chapter president from unclassified materials provided to Congress. Blue Skies of Texas West members are invited to attend the program.
San Antonio AFIO Chapter members attending the meeting are to identify to the Blue Skies gate guard that you are coming for the Intelligence briefing in the Roadrunner Lounge in the Towers. AFIO visitors should use the parking lot in front of the main building which is straight ahead from the gate. AFIO members may purchase a variety of lunch meals in the cafeteria. The presentation will be in a meeting room (the Roadrunner Lounge) adjacent to the cafeteria.
Here is the link to the Blue Skies Texas West which will provide orientation to the organization and their campus.
An address to put in you phone or GPS it is: 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78245
RSVP to satxafio@gmail.com
Questions to John Franklin, President, AFIO San Antonio Chapter, at satxafio@gmail.com or 210 863-0430.
Saturday, 10 Feb 2024, 1130 (EST) - The AFIO Florida Satellite Chapter hosts David Hunt, retired Senior Operations Officer of CIA's Clandestine Service, discussing "Intelligence in Flux." - In Person, Indialantic, Florida. The Florida Satellite Chapter is hosting David Hunt, retired Senior Operations Officer of CIA's Clandestine Service. He will address "Intelligence in Flux."
Event commences at 11:30 AM at the Doubletree Hotel, 1665 North State Route A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903.
Mr. Hunt's' presentation will follow a sit-down lunch. The cost is $35.00 per person.
Questions? Or to attend, email Chapter President Laurence F. Sanford or call him at 978-502-3328.
NOTE NEW DATE: 30 July 24, 1900 (PST) - Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on challenges in Ukraine and across the Middle East - In-Person - Yorba Linda, CA - AFIO Los Angeles Chapter.
Location: Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. Following the presentation, we will meet at 2030 hours for dinner at Chilis Grill (18380 Yorba Linda Blvd.). If you plan to attend, please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Vincent Autiero, President, AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter, at afio_la@yahoo.com
Sunday, 28 January 2024, 11am-1pm – Washington, DC – Brush Pass Brunch with Eric O'Neill at The Mayflower – In Person International Spy Museum Program at Tolson in The Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave NW
Bubbles, Bribes, Blackmail…Brunch. Everyone loves brunch, even spies! Join us for an intriguing and egg-citing midday exploration of espionage while enjoying a delicious meal. Eric O'Neill will share tales from his job at the FBI where his background in surveillance led to his role as Robert Hanssen's assistant with the secret task of spying on his boss. Not that we recommend spying on your boss, but Hanssen was suspected of being a mole who was working for Russia. Eric will also reveal some spy stories involving food and drink from around the world. You'll enjoy some spy surprises, code-cracking puzzles, secret messages, and a front row seat for some re-enacted spy scenes. Brush Pass Brunch will be held at Tolson in The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection. The hotel is the scene of many famous spy stories and the restaurant is named for the FBI's longtime head J. Edgar Hoover who dined at The Mayflower daily and the private dining space Tolson is a nod to his protégé and lifelong confidant. Tolson is located in The Mayflower Hotel at 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036. Tickets are $125; members tickets are $100. Your ticket includes a choice of brunch entrée, sliced seasonal fruit, The Mayflower's famous banana bread (secret recipe), and a spy mole-mosa (a mimosa!). Visit www.spymuseum.org.
NEW 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.
NEW 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.
PUBLISHED
IN 2023
Be informed on career opportunities in the U.S. Intelligence Community |
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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.
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This is the all new 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. |
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Careers Booklet (new 2023 Fifth Edition) can be read or downloaded here
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Guide to the Study of Intelligence...and...When Intelligence Made a Difference
"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.
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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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