Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

07 January - 13 February 2024
(Issue 06)

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

Please send contributions and comments to: winseditor@afio.com.


CONTENTS


Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Events, Developments, Highlights)



Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)



Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives)



Section IV - MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

(All Categories)

  • Article: Chinese-born engineer arrested for theft involving missile sensor technology - Washington Times, 08 Feb 24
  • Article: Russian Intelligence Is Pushing False Claims of U.S. Biological Testing in Africa, U.S. Says - Wall Street Journal, 08 Feb 24
  • Article: Feds seek 15-year sentence for Iraqi immigrant who sought to assassinate George W. Bush - Washington Times, 10 Feb 24
  • Article: Cameron Ortis: Canadian official sentenced to 14 years for leaking secrets - BBC, 07 Feb 24
  • Article: China warns students abroad not to help foreign spies - Asia Nikkei, 08 Feb 24
  • Article: Dutch Intelligence Blames Chinese State for Cyber Espionage in the Netherlands - Bloomberg, 06 Feb 24
  • Article: High-ranking Bulgarian police officer arrested on suspicion of Russian espionage - Euractiv, 05 Feb 24
  • Article: CIA terminates whistleblower who prompted flood of sexual misconduct complaints - Associated Press, 08 Feb 24
  • Video: Alleged Russian spy infiltrates heart of British government (7 mins) - Times Radio, 08 Feb 24
  • Article: IDF officer first to resign over Oct. 7 intel failures - Jewish News Syndicate, 07 Feb 24
  • Article: Hamas had command tunnel under UN Gaza HQ, Israel says - Reuters, 11 Feb 24

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

GR, LR, JK, EB, TG, MA, RM


Section V - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

True Intelligence Matters in Film: The Real Spies Among Friends - Philip Nick Tanner (2022)

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recent Content

Infographic: Ranked: The Most Popular AI Tools - Visual Capitalist, 24 Jan 24

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



Section VI - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

  • Seeking Interview Subjects: Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation.
  • Call for Information: Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder and research activity/death in Mirny Antarctica 1997 / info on climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok.
  • Call for Information: DIA officers VADM Eric Burkhalter and Colonel Roy Jonkers 1980 - 1985
  • Call for Information: University professor seeks information about POW camp in Ambon, 1942-45
  • National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA) for High School Students 15-19 July 24 in Cummings, GA. Deadline 15 April 2024
  • Call for Interviews: Author of forthcoming book seeks conversation with intelligence officers who have worked on China during their career
  • Call for Information: CIA’s Office of Soviet Analysis (SOVA) 1981-1992
  • Call for Information: Al "Albert" Purdum, stationed at Arlington Hall 55, Defense Language School - Albanian 55-56, NSA Linguist, Sr. Cryptologist 57-95
  • Call For Articles: AFIO Journal, The Intelligencer

Employment



Section VII - Events

Upcoming AFIO Events

  • NOTE NEW DATE: 26 March 2024, noon EDT - The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter hosts Michael Pullara on "1993 Murder of CIA Station Chief Freddie Woodruff." - In-Person at MacDill AFB, FL or by Zoom
  • Friday, 19 Apr 2024, 1100 (EST) - AFIO National Spring Luncheon features fireside chat with Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence. Morning speaker is Jonna Mendez, CIA's former Master of Disguise, "In True Face." - In Person, Tysons, Virginia
  • NOTE NEW DATE: 30 July 24, 1900 (PST) - Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East - In-Person, Yorba Linda, CA - AFIO Los Angeles Chapter; Dinner after presentation.

Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

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



DISCLAIMER


The Weekly Intelligence Notes include a wide range of articles and commentary to inform our readers. Views expressed in articles are those of the authors; 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.

     

LATEST FROM AFIO


Registration has opened...

AFIO National In-Person Spring Luncheon features fireside chat with Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence.
Morning speaker is Jonna Mendez, CIA's former Master of Disguise, "In True Face."

AFIO Spring Luncheon, Friday, 19 April 2024

Avril Haines, DNINOON SPEAKER: Fireside Chat with Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, begins at noon. Please note the earlier time.

MORNING SPEAKER: Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise, speaks at 11:00 a.m.

She will be discussing her latest book: "In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked" - published 5 March 2024. Copies will be available.

Jonna MendezQ&A follows each talk or presentation.

Lunch served 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Event ends at 2:00 p.m.

Luncheon prices are $60 for Members; $75 for nonmember guests and all Subscribers. Payment by credit card required at time of registration. No mailed checks or "at the door" payments accepted or permitted.

Register here while seats remain. Registration closes 5 p.m., Friday, 12 April.

Check-in and badge pickup for Registered Attendees begins at 10:30 a.m.
NO registrations or walk-ins at hotel. No payments by cash or check or onsite registrations at venue.

Though we do not provide special overnight room rates, if you wish to make room reservations at the hotel, do so here.

Cancellation Schedule: AFIO must commit to the hotel facilities and regrets it must charge a cancellation fee. No cancellations with refund after 1 April. Any cancellations 2 to 12 April will be converted to donation to AFIO. A donor statement will be sent showing you made a "gift to AFIO." Gifts to AFIO are tax-deductible as charitable donations.
Cancellations after 12 April are not donations because your meal has been guaranteed to hotel per event contract. Thank you for your understanding.

All attendees must be members of AFIO or accompanied by a current member. For security reasons, we are unable to accept late or last minute substitutions for non-attendance or changes in your guests. Register here.

Learn more about becoming a member at www.afio.com.  Questions regarding membership? Contact office at 703-790-0320 or email afio@afio.com

Questions regarding this event to events@afio.com

AFIO Special Edition
*AFIO Special Edition episodes offer intelligence expertise and assessments of breaking news*

Released to members and the public...6 February 2024...

Iran and Its Surrogates


Recorded 31 January 2024

Norman Roule, ODNI National Intelligence Manager, Iran,
on
Attacks on US Forces by Iranian Proxies

In this inaugural AFIO Special Edition episode, former CIA Division Chief and National Intelligence Manager for ODNI, Iran, Norman Roule discusses the aerial system attack at a military base in Jordan near the Syrian border last week that killed 3 service members. Interviewer: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer and Former NSA Associate Deputy Director of Operations.

The interview runs 27 minutes and includes several Q&As.

Access the Norman Roule interview here or click above image.

The AFIO Now video series in 2024 is proudly sponsored by Northwest Financial Advisors.


The Archive

AFIO Now Video Interviews and Podcasts in 2023 were sponsored by
Northwest Financial Advisors

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

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


The Podcast

LATEST PODCAST: In this episode, AFIO Special Edition - 'Iran and Its Surrogates' with Norman Roule
*AFIO Special Edition episodes offer intelligence expertise and assessments of breaking news*
In this inaugural AFIO Special Edition episode, former CIA Division Chief and National Intelligence Manager for ODNI, Iran, Norman Roule discusses the aerial system attack at a military base in Jordan near the Syrian border last week that killed 3 service members. Recorded 31 Jan 2024. Interviewer: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer
The interview runs 27 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Podcast here.

Are you too busy to watch an entire AFIO Now episode on YouTube? Would you rather listen in your car or while accomplishing other tasks? You can download or stream episodes on any of the 8 podcasting platforms that host AFIO Now. Search for 'AFIO Podcast' for a selection of the interviews above (public released ones) on:

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


New — from AFIO Partner The OSS Society



Full information and registration here.

Special Walking Tours Announcements
by SpyGuide Tours Inc

Weekend Tours in Washington DC

New 2024 Dates

Saturday March 2nd and Saturday April 20th: The January 6th Experience. The definitive walking tour of the conspiracy and national security event of our lifetimes. See the sights of Pennsylvania Avenue as you trace the steps of the mob that attacked Congress with your guide - an expert in misinformation and trained intelligence analyst. Examine the scheme to overturn the 2020 election, learn about the Stop The Steal movement, the fake electors plot, and more. Learn more and book at https://spyher.co

Starting March, evening spy tours of Georgetown and Embassy Row are available. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the shadowy world of spies, these 90-minute walking tours promise an unforgettable experience. And, yes! You'll conduct a secret operation. Private group tours available upon request.  Learn more and book at https://spyher.co

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

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

THE MARKETPLACE


THE AFIO STORE

Special Gifts for Colleagues, Self, or Others

ONLY THREE COPIES REMAIN. Roy Berkeley's "A Spy's London" - Original U.S. Edition

In 'this remarkable book' (as intelligence historian and AFIO member Nigel West describes in his Foreword), the reader will be struck by the vibrancy of history made real. Author/AFIO member Roy Berkeley goes behind the facades of ordinary buildings, in the city that West calls 'the espionage capital of the World,' to remind us that the history of intelligence has often been made in such mundane places. With his evocative photographs and compelling observations, The 136 sites are organized into 21 manageable walks. But also a joy to armchair travelers. Among the sites: the modest hotel suite where an eager Red Army colonel poured out his secrets to a team of British and American intelligence officers; the royal residence where one of the most slippery Soviet moles was at home for years; the London home where an MP plotting to appease Hitler was arrested on his front steps in 1940. A few copies are available at only $20 a copy (postage to a U.S.-based address included). Telephone the office at 703-790-0320 or email julie@afio.com to obtain one of these last copies.

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.



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 20 October 2023 released the photo above, which features some of their newest CIA items and other gift suggestions.

Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Events, Developments, Highlights)

Russia Is Boosting Calls for ‘Civil War’ Over Texas Border Crisis - Wired, 07 Feb 24

A Russian disinformation campaign is deploying everything from high-ranking lawmakers and government officials to lifestyle influencers, bloggers, and powerful state-run media outlets to stoke divisions in the United States around the Texas border crisis. WIRED has also obtained exclusive access to data from two separate disinformation research groups that demonstrate a coordinated Russian effort on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) to sow discord by pushing the narrative that the US is heading for civil war. The disinformation campaign began in earnest in late January, and expanded after Russian politicians spoke out when the US Supreme Court lifted an order by a lower court and sided with President Joe Biden’s administration to rule that US Border Patrol officers were allowed to take down razor-wire fencing erected by the Texas National Guard. Days later, when Texas governor Greg Abbott refused to stand down, former Russian president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, claimed that the Texas border dispute is “another vivid example of the US hegemony getting weaker.” (Read more here.)

Beijing accused of using spying, threats and blackmail against Tibetan exiles - The Guardian, 10 Feb 24

Thousands of Tibetans around the world have been subjected to spying, blackmail and threats against family members still living in Tibet, according to a new report. The Chinese government’s repressive policies in Tibet continue to be documented, but the new report by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) is the first to investigate the widespread targeting of exiles in countries including the US, India, France, Australia and Canada, researchers say. China increasingly aims to stifle debate or criticism from Tibetans, Hongkongers and Uyghurs outside its borders in a tactic known as transnational repression. Dhonden, a Tibetan living in Switzerland, told researchers for the TCHRD: “In 2021, I received a video call from one of my siblings in Tibet. When I picked up, I found they were calling from the local police station, surrounded by half of our family. (Full article here.)

Iran ‘spy ship’ suspected of guiding Red Sea attacks could be US target - iNews, 08 Feb 24

A suspected Iranian spy ship is sheltering near a Chinese-owned port off the coast of the African nation of Djibouti, amid calls for the US to strike it. The Behshad is suspected to be supplying information for the Houthis to use when targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. The attacks have disrupted one of the world’s busiest commercial routes, at a cost of billions of pounds. The vessel left the Red Sea for Djibouti – on the east African coast – just before the US began strikes against Iranian and allied targets across the region last Friday. The US attacks were in response to the killing of three US soldiers by an Iran-backed militia at a base in Jordan last month. Washington also claimed a strike in Baghdad on Wednesday that killed a leader of Khataib Hezbollah, one of the most powerful Iraqi militias aligned with Tehran. The White House said the “multi-tiered” response to the Jordan attack was ongoing. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have reportedly reduced since the Behshad relocated. (Full article here.)

Drones, missiles and white Russian horses: The UK intelligence agency you haven’t heard of - The Independent, 08 Feb 24

The operation centre of Defence Intelligence is a vast hanger filled with highly trained specialists who monitor military and terrorist activities taking place around the world in real time. A world which, they stress, is becoming ever more dangerous. RAF Wyton, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, houses the biggest espionage facility of among the ‘Five Eyes’ security group of Britain, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Watch is kept 24 hours a day seven days a week, providing a steady stream of classified information to the government here and allies abroad. Computer screens show checks being kept on a vast range of activities from that of HMS Richmond replacing HMS Diamond in operations against the Houthis in the Red Sea, to the movements of armed insurgent groups, the different types of drones being used by Russia in Ukraine, and even the development of hypersonic missiles the Chinese seek to keep secret. (Full article here.)

China opens Antarctic base right next to US site as Americans fear it could be used for espionage - GB News, 08 Feb 24

China has opened a scientific research base in Antarctica amid concerns about Beijing monitoring military activity in the southern hemisphere. President Xi has welcomed the opening of the Qinling research centre, saying the country wanted to "ascend the peak of science". However, the station will be closely observed by both the US and New Zealand which have made little public comment on the Qinling station’s development. Both China and the US claim to adhere to a 1961 agreement prohibits the use of Antarctica for military purposes. The Chinese foreign ministry has welcomed the opening of the station, which is named after a mountain range. A spokesperson said the station would: "contribute to enhancing humanity’s scientific understanding of Antarctica, provide a platform for China’s co-operation with other countries in Antarctic scientific exploration, and promote peace and sustainable development in Antarctica." (Full article here.)

IARPA launches ReSCIND program - Intelligence Community News, 09 Feb 24

On February 8, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) — the research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence — launched an innovative program that, for the first time, takes aim at the psychology of cyber attackers. The goal of Reimagining Security with Cyberpsychology-Informed Network Defenses (ReSCIND) is to leverage attackers’ human limitations, such as innate decision-making biases and cognitive vulnerabilities, to disrupt their attacks. While attackers take advantage of human errors, most cyber defenses do not similarly exploit attackers’ cognitive weaknesses — ReSCIND strives to flip this paradigm. By combining traditional cybersecurity practices with the emerging field of cyberpsychology, IARPA is set to engineer a first-of-its-kind cyber technology that makes an attacker’s job that much harder. “ReSCIND will enable the Intelligence Community’s cyber defenders to penalize attackers with the costs of wasted time and effort, which will delay, and potentially thwart, attacks and more rapidly expose the identities behind them,” said ReSCIND Program Manager Dr. Kimberly Ferguson-Walter. “This novel approach of focusing on the human behind the attack will significantly enhance our layered cyber defenses.” (Full article here.)

Iran sent undercover operatives to Sweden to murder Jews - Jewish News Syndicate, 06 Feb 24

A Jewish community leader has started speaking out about a plot to kill him that was foiled in 2021. Aron Verständig, chair of the Official Council of Swedish Jewish communities, told Radio Sweden about Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sending two sleeper agents—couple Mahdi Ramezani and Fereshteh Sanaeifarid—who were activated after they had lived in the Scandinavian country for five years. Ramezani and Sanaeifard were arrested in 2021 with plans to kill two other Swedish Jews. Verständig has hesitated to speak about the threat to his life until now. “I was born a Jew I will remain a Jew for the rest of my life, and I can choose to sort of hide under a rock or I can choose to be the person who I am and that’s what I’ve chosen,” he said. (Full article here.)

Review of MI6 worker Gareth Williams’ death finds no new DNA evidence - The Guardian, 05 Feb 24

A forensic review of the death of the MI6 worker Gareth Williams, whose body was found inside a zipped holdall at his London flat, has not uncovered fresh evidence to suggest he was with someone else when he died, the Metropolitan police have said. Williams, 31, from Anglesey, was last seen alive on 15 August 2010. Eight days later, he was found dead inside a zipped and padlocked red North Face holdall in an empty bath at his central London flat. His body was badly decomposed after remaining in the bag in the August heat until he was discovered. Tests found no traces of alcohol, drugs or poison in his body. Williams worked as a code-breaker at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and was on a three-year secondment to MI6 at the time of his death. (Full article here.)

Stakeknife: Soldiers who handled agent in IRA will not be prosecuted - BBC, 06 Feb 24

Two retired soldiers who handled the Army agent within the IRA known as Stakeknife are not to be prosecuted in connection with a number of kidnappings and murders. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said the evidence was insufficient. It also decided two people, who were IRA members at the time of the incidents in the early 1980s, would likewise not face any charges. Stakeknife is believed to have been Freddie Scappaticci, who died in 2023. The agent's actions have been the subject of a six-year investigation known as Operation Kenova. (Full article here.)

CIA Taps Juliane Gallina as Deputy Director for Digital Innovation - Potomac Officers Club, 08 Feb 24

Juliane Gallina, a Wash100 Award winner and speaker at a past Potomac Club Officers event, has been named as the Central Intelligence Agency’s deputy director for digital innovation, replacing Jennifer Ewbank, who is transitioning to the private sector after over 30 years in the federal government service. Gallina served most recently as the CIA’s associate deputy director for digital innovation. She also previously held the dual role of chief information officer and information technology enterprise director at the agency, the CIA said. Gallina brings to her new leadership role over 30 years of wide-ranging experience in military, civil service and industry positions. As digital innovation deputy director, she will advance CIA initiatives and partnerships to leverage current and emerging technologies across the agency’s mission areas. (Full article here.)

Counterespionage Corner - Recent Arrests, Convictions, Expulsions, and more...

Cyberespionage Collection - Newly Identified Actors and Operations, Countermeasures, Policy, other...



Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

Threat Assessment Focus: The Norwegian Intelligence Service’s Assessment of Current Security Challenges - Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS), 12 Feb 24

The Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) is Norway’s foreign intelligence service. Although subordinate to the Norwegian Chief of Defense, NIS does not concern itself exclusively with military matters. The main tasks of NIS are to warn of external threats to Norway and high-priority Norwegian interests, to support the Norwegian Armed Forces and the defense alliances Norway is part of, and to assist in political decision-making processes by providing information of significance to Norwegian foreign, security and defense policy. In our annual threat assessment Focus, NIS presents its analysis of the current situation and expected development in areas that the service considers to be particularly relevant to Norwegian security and national interests. Our mandate is threat-oriented; the aim of Focus is to contribute to the best possible public debate about the threat-related developments that we believe are important for Norway in the coming year. The report is one of three public threat and risk assessments in Norway, published in the first quarter of each year, the other two being published by the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) and the National Security Agency (NSM). This year's Focus is the fourteenth in the series and was published on 12 February 2024. It is available in both Norwegian and English as a digital edition or PDF. Previous years' publications can be found in the archive further down the page. (Full report here.)

Everything wrong with South Africa’s new spying law - My Broadband, 10 Feb 24

In early 2021, the South African Constitutional Court found that the country’s State Security Agency, through its signals intelligence agency, the National Communication Centre, was conducting bulk interception of electronic signals unlawfully. Bulk interception involves the surveillance of electronic signals, including communication signals and internet traffic, on a very large scale, and often on an untargeted basis. If intelligence agents misuse this capability, it can have a massive, negative impact on the privacy of innocent people. The court found that there was no law authorising the practice of bulk surveillance and limiting its potential abuse. It ordered that the agency cease such surveillance until there was. In November 2023, the South African presidency responded to the ruling by tabling a bill to, among other things, plug the gaps identified by the country’s highest court. The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill sets out how the surveillance centre, based in Pretoria, the capital city, should be regulated. (Full report here.)

Barcelona's Espionage: Intrigue Echoes in the Digital Age's Shadows - BNN Breaking, 09 Feb 24

Francesc Boix, a Catalan native, stands as an emblem of this clandestine era. Sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp by the Nazis, Boix, a photographer, covertly captured the horrors unfolding around him. He stole negatives from the camp's photographic laboratory, smuggling them out in a perilous operation that would later expose the atrocities of the Holocaust to the world. Boix's daring acts, detailed in 'Regards' magazine, served as critical evidence during the Nuremberg trials. His story weaves through Barcelona's labyrinthine history, echoing the tales of Manuel Bravo Portillo, a German spy, and the Baron de König, a false French aristocrat who wielded his title as a cloak for espionage. Fast forward to the present, and the game has changed. Barcelona, like the rest of the globe, is grappling with the specter of digital espionage. The Pegasus software, a tool capable of turning smartphones into surveillance devices, has been detected in the city, sparking fears of unwarranted privacy breaches. (Full report here.)

It’s Time for America To Step Up Its Game in Information Warfare — Most Importantly With Communist China - New York Sun, 07 Feb 24

Since the October 7 massacre in Israel, Chinese Communist Party affiliated bots have flooded the internet with antisemitic and anti-American content. In America, their ostensible aim is to inflame the current social tensions so that we might unravel from within. In this regard, illicit border crossings of ChiCom nationals also play a role. Further afield, Beijing hopes its efforts might erode American influence and undercut our allies. For decades, our adversaries have used the press and digital technologies to further their agendas and sabotage ours. For equally as long, we have lagged behind. With the end of the Cold War, Washington’s attention turned to conventional warfare. The Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan seemed to validate the decision, such that between 1989 and 2010, military spending rose by 129 percent. (Full report here.)

Why China Can’t Export Its Model of Surveillance - Foreign Affairs, 06 Feb 24

Over the past two decades, Chinese leaders have built a high-tech surveillance system of seemingly extraordinary sophistication. Facial recognition software, Internet monitoring, and ubiquitous video cameras give the impression that the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has finally accomplished the dictator’s dream of building a surveillance state like the one imagined in George Orwell’s 1984. A high-tech surveillance network now blankets the entire country, and the potency of this system was on full display in November 2022, when nationwide protests against China’s COVID lockdown shocked the party. Although the protesters were careful to conceal their faces with masks and... (Full report here.)

Unmasking the impact: how did the coronavirus pandemic affect police intelligence in the United Kingdom? - Journal of Policing, Intelligence, and Counterterrorism, 06 Feb 24

At present, there is no research available that has explored how the coronavirus pandemic affected intelligence work. Understanding this is vital as any factor that may increase the likelihood of intelligence gaps is worthy of examination because they are frequently identified as a major causal factor of the more harmful issue of intelligence failures within law enforcement. Recent research (Marani, et al, Citation2021) states that despite the pandemic abating, the risk of further global incidents remains. Therefore, lessons need to be identified to reduce potential gaps and failures occurring during future pandemics. We seek to achieve this by asking how Covid-19 affected intelligence work within UK policing by interviewing fifteen intelligence personnel from one police service. Using a framework from the practice of knowledge management (KM) we analyze how the pandemic affected the processes, technology, individual and organisational willingness to share intelligence, workloads, location, and structure of intelligence delivery (Abrahamson and Goodman-Delaunty, 2014). Findings indicate that all were negatively impacted by changes in working priorities, increased demand on analysts, and the ability of the police to gather intelligence from covert human intelligence sources and partner agencies. Such implications are discussed in the context of wider intelligence literature and future preparedness. (Full report here.)

Using Proactive Intelligence Against Adversary Infrastructure - Security Boulevard, 07 Feb 24

There’s a simple answer as to why the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) recommend protective DNS (PDNS) solutions as part of their Shields Up initiative and the Department of Defense (DoD) requires it as a prerequisite for Maturity Level 3 in the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) standard (SC.3.192). There will always be breaches, but they needn’t lead to the fallout that continues to impact major corporations and governments across the globe. To effectively combat the inevitable, businesses need a paradigmatic shift in how cyberthreats are viewed and treated. Understanding adversary infrastructure and combining it with protective DNS is the key to ensuring that organizations do everything they can to get proactive against threat actors and drive true business and operational resiliency. To this end, the German security evaluators AV-TEST independently established HYAS as the most effective DNS protection on the market. (Full report 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.

06 Feb | "The British Monarchy and Secret Intelligence" with Rory Cormac Rory Cormac and Richard Aldrich join Andrew to discuss intelligence and the British Monarchy. The links between the royals and espionage prove the Crown to be far more than just a figurehead.


Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives)


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.

09 Feb | Global economic disruptions surface risks and present opportunities. If the Covid pandemic necessitated a boost in supply chain resilience, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have made it official. It’s now essential for governments and businesses to have access to multiple energy supplies, diverse shipping methods and routes, and trading partners that are both politically friendly and stable- and preferably some in close physical proximity. Indeed, the companies and governments that can maintain operations even while under duress – from either manmade or natural causes - are likely to be at a competitive advantage in the years to come. (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.

13 Feb | Baghdad Caught in U.S.-Iran Crossfire

U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iran-aligned Iraqi militia targets over the past two weeks have widened divisions within the Iraqi government and between U.S. and Iraqi officials over the future of U.S.-Iraq relations. On February 2, U.S. forces struck more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for an Iran-aligned militia drone attack that killed three U.S. military personnel on a remote base (“Tower 22”) on the Jordanian side of the border with Iraq and Syria. On February 7, U.S. forces conducted a targeted strike in downtown Baghdad, killing a key logistics commander of the Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) militia that U.S. officials say was responsible for the Jordan base attack. Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia commanders, some of whom are politically influential, have cited the two U.S. strikes, in particular, as cause to demand that the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani immediately terminate the U.S. military mission in Iraq. Hadi al-Ameri, who heads the Badr Organization, a Shia-dominated political-military group organized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, reflected the sentiment of pro-Iranian groups by saying: “We do not believe in negotiations…and American forces must be removed immediately from Iraq.” KH issued a recent statement calling for the liberation of Iraq from the United States, not just the land and the skies, but also from Iraqi politics. Iraq’s Harakat al-Nujaba movement - one of the most active groups attacking U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria - promised a “targeted retaliation,” saying “these crimes will not go unpunished.” Prime Minister al-Sudani, seeking to retain the support of his core pro-Iranian base and reflect public opposition to the U.S. strikes, also lashed out at the United States. He stated: “Our land and sovereign authority is not the right place for rival forces to send messages and show their strength.” U.S. leaders have explained the strikes as necessary for self-defense – justified responses to attacks on U.S. forces by Iran-backed groups.

12 Feb | Political Turmoil Rattles Pakistan’s Elections as Fears of Further Violence Mount

09 Feb | Can Germany Stem a Strengthening Far-Right?

08 Feb | Playing Catch Up: The West Tries to Stake Its Claim Over Access to Critical Minerals

07 Feb | Sanctions Add Pressure on the Axis of Resistance




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.

07 Feb | The Russian Mindset: Ralph Mowatt-Larssen Michael talks about the 'Russian mindset' with former CIA Moscow chief Rolf Mowatt-Larssen. He explains how his experience in the former Soviet Union could offer a glimpse into how Russia views its war on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats, and the adversity Russians have faced over the decades.



How Two Former Spies Cracked The $11 Billion Cyber Insurance Market with former CIA Analyst Joshua Motta and former Israeli Defense Forces Unit 8200 intel officer Rotem Iram - Forbes, 12 Feb 24

Back in November 2022, Russian computers were surreptitiously scanning American computers when they stumbled into a trap: a network of 400 virtual servers with IP addresses that appeared to belong to real companies and organizations. Except these were decoys set up by Coalition, a San Francisco–based fintech that combines one of the world’s oldest industries—insurance—with cutting-edge techniques for detecting cyberthreats. “There’s no legitimate reason anyone should try to connect to any of those servers,” says Coalition CEO and cofounder Joshua Motta, a 40-year-old former CIA analyst. Coalition saw that the intruders were probing for the presence of MOVEit, a program used to transfer big files, often containing confidential information. It emailed four of its cyber insurance customers who had MOVEit installed on the outer perimeter of their networks, urging them to put the software behind a virtual private network. Six months later, Progress Software, the Massachusetts company that sells MOVEit, announced it had a critical vulnerability and issued a patch. But the infamous Russian ransomware gang Clop had already exploited the flaw to burrow deep into some organizations’ networks and was sure to demand payment not to leak stolen data. Coalition scanned its customers again and saw 19, with revenue ranging from $10 million to $1 billion, were now using the program. It sent an urgent email telling them to apply the MOVEit patch. Within a month, 14 had. (Read here.)

Information Quality is a Democratic Necessity in the Age of AI by former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research Ellen McCarthy - Cipher Brief, 12 Feb 24

Trust in institutions, to include government, media, financial institutions, and education continues to decline as noted in several recent public opinion polls. Given this, how can people trust their elections? As we head into a presidential election year, election integrity, in an environment of accelerating polarization and the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI), is a paramount issue as free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. If people believe that elections are not conducted fairly and accurately, it can lead to lower voter turnout, general cynicism about the process, and make us more vulnerable to foreign interference and even violence. This is not limited to the US. Globally, elections will affect 4.2 billion people in over 60 countries. The world economic forum lists misinformation and disinformation as the most significant risk to global security. The proliferation and misuse of generative AI further compounds the challenge. (Read here.)

Elections are Primed for ‘Wave of Misinformation’ with Former CIA Executive Patrick Weninger - Cipher Brief, 08 Feb 24

As we enter 2024, concerns arise regarding the potential threat generative AI poses to elections in terms of misinformation and media manipulation. The proliferation of generative AI technology in the form of “deepfake” audio, images, and videos over the past year, coupled with its easy accessibility, means that both nation-state actors and individuals working from their garages now have access to nearly the same level of technology. Experts have expressed significant concern regarding the emergence of deepfakes and the use of AI algorithms, as they blur the line between truth and fiction in public discussions. This amplification of misinformation due to generative AI technology poses significant threats to democratic processes. Various online platforms and applications enable anyone to generate AI deepfake audio, images, or videos, leading to viral misinformation events. Today, more people are armed with better technology to engage in malicious activities. Combining this fact with an increased number of polarizing global issues, geopolitical tensions, active hostilities, and numerous global elections in 2024, it is evident that we are primed for a wave of misinformation. (Listen here.)

China’s President has Power Over Kim Jong Un. Will he Use it for Denuclearization? by Former CIA Executive Joseph DeTrani - Cipher Brief, 05 Feb 24

During the past two years, North Korea has launched over 100 ballistic missiles, to include hypersonic, short and intermediate-range, cruise, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Their last nuclear test was in September 2017, of a reported thermonuclear weapon (hydrogen bomb). A seventh nuclear test has been imminent for the past year. Here’s a deeper dive: North Korea launched three successful Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests in 2023, the most recent a solid-fuel road mobile ICBM with an assessed range of 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), capable of targeting the whole of the U.S., and in early January 2024, a solid-fuel Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with a range of 5000 kilometers, capable of targeting Guam, in addition to last month’s test of an underwater nuclear weapon. On January 5, 2024, North Korea fired over 200 artillery shells in waters adjacent to South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, where in 2010, North Korea killed four South Koreans and injured nineteen after North Korea torpedoed a South Korean corvette that killed 46 seamen. (Read more here.)

Iranian Proxies in Iraq and Syria (57 mins) with Former Senior CIA Operations Officer Douglas London - Middle East Institute Podcast, 02 Feb 24

The Middle East Institute (MEI) hosted an on-the-record briefing to discuss Iran’s proxy network throughout Syria and Iraq. Speakers: Senior Fellow and Director of MEI’s Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism Programs Charles Lister and Non-Resident Scholar and decorated CIA veteran Douglas London (Watch here.)

Is Anyone Still Afraid of the United States? with former Director of Central Intelligence Robert Gates - Foreign Affairs, 08 Feb 24

Last fall, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates took to the pages of Foreign Affairs to issue a warning: with America facing the most dangerous geopolitical landscape in decades, dysfunction in Washington threatened to turn that danger into disaster. Today, Russia and China are testing the international order. Iranian proxies are attacking U.S. forces on a daily basis. And, as Gates writes, “at the very moment that events demand a strong and coherent response, America cannot provide one.” Gates worries that such dysfunction at home could prompt America’s foes to make risky bets—with catastrophic consequences for both the country and the world. (Read more here.)

Overcoming America’s Nuclear Energy Challenges with Former Director of Central Intelligence John Deutch - In The National Interest Podcast, 05 Feb 24

Despite initial optimism about nuclear energy in the fight against climate change, recent setbacks have dampened expectations for rapid nuclear energy growth in the United States. America today faces significant hurdles in extending the operational lifespan of its existing nuclear reactors, reducing construction costs, and fostering investment in new nuclear technologies. On this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with John Deutch, an emeritus Institute Professor at MIT who served as director of energy research, deputy secretary of energy, deputy secretary of defense and director of central intelligence in the Clinton administration. Deutch recently wrote a piece for The National Interest titled "COP28’s Nuclear Energy Promise Is Still a Long Way Off." (17 mins) (Listen here.)

Iran's Proxy War Against the U.S. (29 mins) with former CIA Executive Andy Dunn - State Secrets Podcast, 10 Feb 24

Recent U.S strikes against Iranian proxy groups in Syria and Iraq may be just the beginning of a multi-tier response by the U.S. after the killing of three service members in Jordan last month and it’s raising questions about just how far the U.S. should go in limiting Iran’s ability to use these groups to launch attacks against Americans. Former CIA Deputy Assistant Director of the Near East Mission Center and former Chief of Analysis in the Iran Mission Center Andy Dunn talks to State Secrets about what it will take to deter Iran. (Listen here.)

The Taylor Swift Infowar Tutorial (40 mins) with Former US Army “influence ops” specialist Paul Cobaugh - SpyTalk, 09 Feb 24

Former US Army “influence ops” specialist Paul Cobaugh talks with Jeff about combatting conspiracy mongering. (Listen here.)

How Russian Spies Get Flipped or Expelled, As Told by a Spycatcher with former Hungarian Constitution Protection Office Director of Operations Ferenc Katrein - Vsquare, 02 Feb 24

A counterintelligence agency always has to decide if they want to develop a “spy case” that could result in an expulsion—or if they want to flip the spy. For example, if counterintelligence officers managed to reveal the agent network of a Russian spy and already flipped two or three of those agents, an expulsion makes less sense. They could either use the flipped agents to feed false information to the Russian intelligence officer—or make an attempt to approach and recruit that Russian. It goes something like this: “Listen, brother, everything you reported to Moscow for the last two years has been misinformation we fed to your agents. You’ll either get into some serious trouble because of that—or you can work for us.” There is also a scenario where you make this move and try to recruit the Russian, and if it doesn’t work out, you can still expel them. (Read here.)




Section IV - MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

(All Categories)

Article: Chinese-born engineer arrested for theft involving missile sensor technology - Washington Times, 08 Feb 24

FBI agents in California arrested a suspected technology spy for China this week, charging him with stealing some 3,600 files from a defense contractor that includes sensitive information on advanced sensors used to detect missile launches. Gong Chenguang, 57, of San Jose, was charged by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles with being part of China’s “talents” program, a systematic Beijing effort to obtain U.S. technology by recruiting American-based scientists and technical experts with access to advanced know-how. An FBI affidavit used to seek an arrest warrant identifies Mr. Gong as a naturalized citizen employed by a Malibu defense contractor in January 2023. The technology involved is worth “hundreds of millions of dollars” and, if provided to a foreign government, would “compromise U.S. national security,” the affidavit states. A spokeswoman identified the company as HRL Laboratories. According to the affidavit, the company “develops sophisticated infrared sensor technology intended for use in various space-based and military missions, including in systems designed to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.” (Read full report here.)

(NOTE: Access to this article may require a one-time, free registration or a paid subscription.)

Article: Russian Intelligence Is Pushing False Claims of U.S. Biological Testing in Africa, U.S. Says - Wall Street Journal, 08 Feb 24

Russian intelligence agencies are trying to undermine U.S. influence in Africa by spreading disinformation that Africans have been the unwitting test subjects in Pentagon biological research programs and casting aspersions on Western public-health programs, U.S. officials said. The effort is part of a Russian campaign to counter the U.S. in Africa and Latin America as Washington and Moscow battle for public opinion around the world. At the heart of the Russian campaign is “African Initiative,” an online news service set up late last year that has used social media to promote criticism of Western public-health efforts in Africa and convened a conference in which participants disparaged Western pharmaceutical companies. (Read full report here.) (NOTE: Access to this article may require a one-time, free registration or a paid subscription.)

Article: Feds seek 15-year sentence for Iraqi immigrant who sought to assassinate George W. Bush - Washington Times, 10 Feb 24

The Iraqi immigrant accused of trying to orchestrate the murder of former President George W. Bush will be sentenced Monday, and prosecutors are asking a judge to put him in prison for 15 years, saying the U.S. must send a message to shut down future plots. Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab sought to smuggle former Iraqi intelligence officers into the U.S. to carry out the assassination, cased the Dallas neighborhood where the former president keeps a home and strategized on what guns to use, prosecutors said. He sought revenge for the collapse of his life in Iraq, which he blamed on Mr. Bush for the 2003 invasion that left his country in chaos. (Read full report here.)

Article: Cameron Ortis: Canadian official sentenced to 14 years for leaking secrets - BBC, 07 Feb 24

A former civilian member of Canada's national police force has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for leaking intelligence to suspected criminals. Prosecutors argued that Cameron Ortis, 51, shared government secrets with organised crime figures. Ortis has denied this, and said he was working secretly to prevent "a grave threat to Canada". He was convicted in November at an Ottawa court after an eight-week trial. Judge Robert Maranger said on Wednesday the sentence takes into account time Ortis has already spent behind bars, and he will ultimately serve seven more years. (Read more here.)

Article: China warns students abroad not to help foreign spies - Asia Nikkei, 08 Feb 24

Chinese security authorities on Wednesday warned the country's students abroad against collaborating with foreign spies. The Ministry of State Security issued a lengthy post on its official WeChat account cautioning native Chinese against coming into contact or cooperating with foreign intelligence agencies while studying or taking trips overseas. "It is necessary to thoroughly maintain a line of defense against falling into the traps set by foreign spies and intelligence agencies," the post reads. The post details a 2006 case in which a Chinese student became involved in espionage while attending a top-ranked college overseas. The student provided Chinese scientific research data to two people in exchange for a large sum of money and other favors, according to the posting. (Read more here.)

Article: Dutch Intelligence Blames Chinese State for Cyber Espionage in the Netherlands - Bloomberg, 06 Feb 24

The Dutch intelligence agency said it uncovered a Chinese-state-backed attempt to use malware to spy on a computer network that’s used by the country’s armed forces. “Sophisticated” Chinese malware was found on a standalone computer that was used for unclassified research and development, the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service said in a statement on Tuesday. The system was self-contained and the malware didn’t result in damage to the defense network, the agency said. The malware intended to spy on computer networks, exploiting a vulnerability in Fortinet Inc.’s FortiGate systems that allows computer users to work remotely, the agency said. The Netherlands had named China as one of the greatest threats to its national security in a report last year, accusing China of targeting Dutch high-tech companies and institutions. (Read full report here.)

Article: High-ranking Bulgarian police officer arrested on suspicion of Russian espionage - Euractiv, 05 Feb 24

A high-ranking official in Bulgaria’s anti-organised crime police service was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia on Monday. An official has been arrested and is being monitored by special services, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Zhivko Kotsev said. “I confirm that it is a matter of espionage, but at this stage, I will refrain from further comments,” he added, refusing to name the suspect, citing security reasons. The suspect had been sending official information from his work email to a Russian citizen who had previously worked as a diplomat in Bulgaria but was declared persona non grata for espionage. The suspect offered to “help” the Russian, according to unofficial information from Euractiv’s sources. The tip-off to the Bulgarian authorities about the suspicious activities of the high-ranking police officer came from an EU and NATO partner service. Bulgaria is seen as a very risky country for the security of the Eastern flank of NATO because of the old institutional ties with Russia established during the USSR era. (Read full report here.)

Article: CIA terminates whistleblower who prompted flood of sexual misconduct complaints - Associated Press, 08 Feb 24

The CIA this week terminated a woman whose whistleblower account of being assaulted in a stairwell at the spy agency's headquarters prompted a flood of colleagues to come forward with their own complaints of sexual misconduct. The woman's attorney called the action a brazen retaliation. While the CIA said that accusation was “factually inaccurate,” it wouldn't comment further on the case and declined to explain why the 36-year-old did not make it through the agency’s clandestine officer training program known as “the Farm” and, unlike many of her classmates, was not hired into another job. “To be clear, the CIA does not tolerate sexual assault, sexual harassment or whistleblower retaliation,” CIA spokesperson Tammy Thorp told The Associated Press, adding the agency uses “consistent processes to ensure the fair and equal treatment of every officer going through training.” (Read full report here.)

Video: Alleged Russian spy infiltrates heart of British government (7 mins) - Times Radio, 08 Feb 24

“He had access to top secret and sensitive documents.” A man who sought asylum in the UK, accessed British military intelligence secrets and even met the King is on trial accused of being a “a spy for the GIU”, Russia's military intelligence agency, “notorious for its hostile activities around the world”, says Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter for The Times. (Watch here.)

Article: IDF officer first to resign over Oct. 7 intel failures - Jewish News Syndicate, 07 Feb 24

An IDF intelligence officer holding the rank of major announced his departure from his post due to his role in failing to identify Hamas’s invasion plans. He is reportedly the first officer to do so. The officer, who works in the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Research Department, wrote in his letter of resignation to his commanders on Wednesday, “I take responsibility for my part in the October 7 debacle and request to end my duties.” The officer wrote that he realized from the start of the war that he would have to step down but waited for a lull in the fighting. Four months into the war, he felt the time was right. (Read full report here.)

Article: Hamas had command tunnel under UN Gaza HQ, Israel says - Reuters, 11 Feb 24

Israeli forces have discovered a tunnel network hundreds of metres (yards) long and running partly under UNRWA's Gaza headquarters, the military says, calling it new evidence of Hamas exploitation of the main relief agency for Palestinians. Army engineers took reporters for foreign news outlets through the passages at a time of crisis for UNRWA, which has launched an internal probe and seen a string of donor countries freeze funding over allegations last month by Israel that some of its staff doubled as Hamas operatives. The Palestinians have accused Israel of falsifying information to tarnish UNRWA, which employs 13,000 people in the Gaza Strip and has been a lifeline for the aid-dependent population for years. The agency runs schools, primary healthcare clinics and other social services, and distributes aid, describing its activities as purely humanitarian. (Read full report here.)



Section V - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Books — Forthcoming, Newly Released, Overlooked



The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq
by Steve Coll
(Penguin Press, 27 Feb 24)

From bestselling and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Steve Coll, the definitive story of the decades-long relationship between the United States and Saddam Hussein, and a deeply researched and news-breaking investigation into how human error, cultural miscommunication, and hubris led to one of the costliest geopolitical conflicts of our time When the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, its message was clear: Iraq, under the control of strongman Saddam Hussein, possessed weapons of mass destruction that, if left unchecked, posed grave danger to the world. But when no WMDs were found, the United States and its allies were forced to examine the political and intelligence failures that had led to the invasion and the occupation, and the civil war that followed. One integral question has remained unsolved: Why had Saddam seemingly sacrificed his long reign in power by giving the false impression that he had hidden stocks of dangerous weapons? The Achilles Trap masterfully untangles the people, ploys of power, and geopolitics that led to America’s disastrous war with Iraq and, for the first time, details America’s fundamental miscalculations during its decades-long relationship with Saddam Hussein. Beginning with Saddam’s rise to power in 1979 and the birth of Iraq’s secret nuclear weapons program, Steve Coll traces Saddam’s motives by way of his inner circle. He brings to life the diplomats, scientists, family members, and generals who had no choice but to defer to their leader—a leader directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, as well as the torture or imprisonment of hundreds of thousands more. This was a man whose reasoning was impossible to reduce to a simple explanation, and the CIA and successive presidential administrations failed to grasp critical nuances of his paranoia, resentments, and inconsistencies—even when the stakes were incredibly high. Calling on unpublished and underreported sources, interviews with surviving participants, and Saddam’s own transcripts and audio files, Coll pulls together an incredibly comprehensive portrait of a man who was convinced the world was out to get him and acted accordingly. A work of great historical significance, The Achilles Trap is the definitive account of how corruptions of power, lies of diplomacy, and vanity—on both sides—led to avoidable errors of statecraft, ones that would enact immeasurable human suffering and forever change the political landscape as we know it.

Purchase book here.

Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars
by Helen Fry
(Yale University Press, 17 Oct 23)

From the twentieth century onward, women took on an extraordinary range of roles in intelligence, defying the conventions of their time. Across both world wars, far from being a small part of covert operations, women ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines, and interrogated prisoners. And, back in Bletchley and Whitehall, women’s vital administrative work in MI offices kept the British war engine running. In this major, panoramic history, Helen Fry looks at the rich and varied work women undertook as civilians and in uniform. From spies in the Belgian network “La Dame Blanche,” knitting coded messages into jumpers, to those who interpreted aerial images and even ran entire sections, Fry shows just how crucial women were in the intelligence mission. Filled with hitherto unknown stories, Women in Intelligence places new research on record for the first time and showcases the inspirational contributions of these remarkable women.

Order book here.


Spies for Hire: The Secret World of Intelligence Outsourcing
by Tim Shorrock
(Simon and Schuster, 06 May 08)

In Spies for Hire, investigative reporter Tim Shorrock lifts the veil off a major story the government doesn't want us to know about -- the massive outsourcing of top secret intelligence activities to private-sector contractors. Running spy networks overseas. Tracking down terrorists in the Middle East. Interrogating enemy prisoners. Analyzing data from spy satellites and intercepted phone calls. All of these are vital intelligence tasks that traditionally have been performed by government officials accountable to Congress and the American people. But that is no longer the case. Starting during the Clinton administration, when intelligence budgets were cut drastically and privatization of government services became national policy, and expanding dramatically in the wake of 9/11, when the CIA and other agencies were frantically looking to hire analysts and linguists, the Intelligence Community has been relying more and more on corporations to perform sensitive tasks heretofore considered to be exclusively the work of federal employees. This outsourcing of intelligence activities is now a $50 billion-a-year business that consumes up to 70 percent of the U.S. intelligence budget. And it's a business that the government has tried hard to keep under wraps. Drawing on interviews with key players in the Intelligence-Industrial Complex, contractors' annual reports and public filings with the government, and on-the-spot reporting from intelligence industry conferences and investor briefings, Spies for Hire provides the first behind-the-scenes look at this new way of spying. Shorrock shows how corporations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, CACI International, and IBM have become full partners with the CIA, the National Security Agency, and the Pentagon in their most sensitive foreign and domestic operations. He explores how this partnership has led to wasteful spending and threatens to erode the privacy protections and congressional oversight so important to American democracy. Shorrock exposes the kinds of spy work the private sector is doing, such as interrogating prisoners in Iraq, managing covert operations, and collaborating with the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans' overseas phone calls and e-mails. And he casts light on a "shadow Intelligence Community" made up of former top intelligence officials who are now employed by companies that do this spy work, such as former CIA directors George Tenet and James Woolsey. Shorrock also traces the rise of Michael McConnell from his days as head of the NSA to being a top executive at Booz Allen Hamilton to returning to government as the nation's chief spymaster.

Order book here.


True Intelligence Matters in Film - The Real Spies Among Friends - Nick Tanner (2022)

Documentary telling the real story of the Cambridge Spies - subject of the drama series A Spy Among Friends.

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






Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recent Content

Infographic: Ranked: The Most Popular AI Tools - Visual Capitalist, 24 Jan 24

Artificial intelligence had its breakout year in 2023, with large language models (LLMs) and text-to-image generators capturing the attention and imagination of technologists and investors alike. Similar to other recent breakthrough technologies like the internet and the smartphone, the early stage of AI’s tech adoption cycle has already seen the creation of highly-used software products. This visualization from our 2024 Global Forecast Series report uses data from Writerbuddy and Coatue to rank and visualize the most popular AI tools of 2023 along with key recent tech adoption cycles and the software products that defined them. (View graphic here.)

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

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



Section VI - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

Regis Monahan — Career Intelligence Officer

Regis Edward Monahan Jr., 84, passed at 10 p.m. on 17 January 2024. He died peacefully surrounded by his family. Regis was not just a man; he was a pillar of strength, a beacon of love, and a loyal presence in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. His sharp mind, warm heart, and unwavering loyalty left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him. The memories we shared, the laughter we enjoyed, and the moments of comfort he provided will forever be cherished. He was a shining example of the extraordinary impact one soul can have on those they touch. Regis' accomplishments were incredible. Having careers and retirements within the USAF, NSA, CIA and NRO agencies. He was a devout Catholic and served in many positions within the church. He was a wonderful person to all that knew him.



Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

  • Seeking Interview Subjects:Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation. Research Topic: The research investigates the impact of technological advancements on the operations and effectiveness of the Russian illegals program. Your insights will be invaluable in understanding the evolving landscape of espionage and informing potential countermeasures. Confidentiality: Your anonymity will be strictly protected. No identifying information will be used in the dissertation or any subsequent publications unless otherwise agreed to. However, written transcripts of the interviews will be retained for academic purposes. Eligibility: If you possess relevant experience and are willing to share your expertise in a confidential setting, please email omid.townsend@kcl.ac.uk.
  • Call for Information: A documentary on the life and death of Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder needs some help. His family members received information that Bruno may have been approached by the CIA in the 1990s to help inform on Russian research activity in Antarctica. Bruno died whilst on a 1997 expedition there at Mirny under questionable circumstances as he was dubbed ‘ the western spy’ on board. We are looking for anyone who may have any information in Bruno or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok. Contact Thomas Whitmore at Naomi.harvey@clockworkfilms.tv.
  • Call for 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 Articles: AFIO's Journal, The Intelligencer. AFIO seeks authors for its section on "When Intelligence Made a Difference" in the semi-annual Intelligencer journal. Topics of interest for which we are seeking authors include:

    - The 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 and how allied SIGINT isolated the Afrika Korps from its logistics chain. (Potentially two separate articles.)
    - The breaking of the Nazi U-boat SHARK encryption system.
    - How A.Q. Khan’s nuclear proliferation efforts were uncovered and stopped.
    - How US intelligence found Usama Bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan.
    - How US intelligence discovered the Soviet’s high speed Shkval torpedo.
    - Intelligence and the rescue of Scott O’Grady.
    - The Trust (Bolshevik deception operation -1920-26).
    - The hunt for Pablo Escobar.
    - How National Technical Means (NTM) have been used for environmental purposes (MEDEA Program).
    - Other topics are also welcome.

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

Jobs

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

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

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

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

    Additional information and application here.

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

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

    Additional information and application here.


Section VII - AFIO Events

NOTE NEW DATE: 26 March 2024, noon EDT - In-Person at MacDill AFB, FL or by Zoom - The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter hosts Michael Pullara on "1993 Murder of CIA Station Chief Freddie Woodruff." The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter is holding its upcoming luncheon at noon on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, at the MacDill AFB Activity Center (formerly the Surf's Edge Club), 7315 Bayshore Boulevard, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Our speaker is Michael A. Pullara, a veteran trial lawyer and masterful storyteller who investigated the 1993 murder of CIA Officer Freddie Woodruff and authored a thrilling true-life espionage tale. Thanks to Pullara's investigation, in 2008 the Russians ultimately freed from prison the original suspect who'd been sentenced to 15 years' hard labor for the crime.
The luncheon includes a box lunch and costs are based on timing of your reservation/response.
Early response, $15 luncheon fee, no later than noon on Tuesday, 27 February.
Response cut-off, $20 luncheon fee, no later than noon on Thursday, 14 March.
ZOOM registration cut-off, $0 fee, no later than noon on Thursday, 14 March.
If you wish to participate by ZOOM please click on the this registration link to complete the registration request before noon on Monday, 14 March 2024. This is NOT the ZOOM meeting link. Subject to approval, you will receive the ZOOM meeting link by separate email. Please check your ZOOM program in advance to ensure it is working properly and that you have the confirmed ZOOM meeting link handy to join the meeting. It is next to impossible to trouble-shoot ZOOM connections on the day of the meeting.
Questions or to attend, contact the Chapter Secretary, Michael Shapiro, for more information, mfshapiro@suncoastafio.org.

Friday, 19 Apr 2024, 1100 (EST) - Tysons Corner, VA - AFIO National In-Person Spring Luncheon features fireside chat with Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence. Morning speaker is Jonna Mendez, CIA's former Master of Disguise, "In True Face."
Note different timing: NOON SPEAKER: Fireside Chat with Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, begins at noon. Please note the earlier start time. MORNING SPEAKER: Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise, speaks at 11:00 a.m. She will be discussing her latest book: "In True Face: A Woman's Life in the CIA, Unmasked" - published 5 March 2024. Copies will be available. Q&A follows each talk or presentation. Lunch served 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Event ends at 2:00 p.m. Luncheon prices are $60 for Members; $75 for nonmember guests and all Subscribers. Payment by credit card required at time of registration. No mailed checks or "at the door" payments accepted or permitted.
Register here. Registration closes 5 p.m., Friday, 12 April.
Check-in and badge pickup for Registered Attendees begins at 10:30 a.m. NO registrations or walk-ins at hotel. No payments by cash or check or onsite registrations at venue.
Though we do not provide special overnight room rates, if you wish to make room reservations at the hotel, do so here.
Cancellation Schedule: AFIO must commit to the hotel facilities and regrets it must charge a cancellation fee. No cancellations with refund after 1 April. Any cancellations 2 to 12 April will be converted to donation to AFIO. A donor statement will be sent showing you made a "gift to AFIO." Gifts to AFIO are tax-deductible as charitable donations. Cancellations after 12 April are not donations because your meal has been guaranteed to hotel per event contract. Thank you for your understanding. All attendees must be members of AFIO or accompanied by a current member. For security reasons, we are unable to accept late or last minute substitutions for non-attendance or changes in your guests.
Questions regarding this event to events@afio.com

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


Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

Thursday, 8-15 February 2024, All Day – Washington, DC – Member Appreciation Days – In Person International Spy Museum Program. For our 2023 Member Appreciation Days only, our members enjoy an additional one-time-use guest pass (redeemable between February 8 and 15), an exclusive membership gift (while supplies last), 25% off their purchases at the SPY Museum Store, and entrance to our member raffle to win an exclusive SPY swag gift bag! As part of these days, we will host a Members-Only Event on Saturday, February 10th. You can join SPY as a member online or by calling 202.654.2840. If you are a current member and have questions about Member Appreciation Days, please email membership@spymuseum.org. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Tuesday, 13 February 2024, 7pm – Washington, DC – WWI Series Part I: Flirting with Danger with Janet Wallach – Virtual International Spy Museum Program. Join us for a two-part look at World War I-era intelligence and operatives. As modern American intelligence took shape and intelligence personnel became essential to any senior wartime commander, the traditional spy in the shadows thrived as well. Marguerite Harrison was just such a spy. This evening Janet Wallach, author of Flirting with Danger: The Mysterious Life of Marguerite Harrison, Socialite Spy, will introduce you to this daring and glamorous woman who became a US spy and Russian double agent. Dining with aristocrats and dancing with socialists late into the night, she watched as alarming signs emerged from a broken Germany in the aftermath of World War I. Harrison saw the future in both places – a second war with Germany, a cold war with the Soviets – but was little believed back home. Wallach has written extensively about notable women in history, and she brings to life this courageous woman who was drawn to danger and adventure. After Wallach's presentation and a brief interview by Amanda Ohlke, Director of Adult Education at the International Spy Museum, we'll turn to your questions about this turbulent period and extraordinary individual! Support for this program has been provided by a generous grant from the Pritzker Military Foundation, on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Thursday, 15 February 2024, 12:00-1:00pm – Washington, DC – Spy Chat with Chris Costa ft. Special Guest Uzi Arad – Virtual International Spy Museum Program. Join us for an online discussion of the latest intelligence, national security, and terrorism issues in the news. Spy Museum Executive Director Chris Costa, a former intelligence officer of 34 years, will be joined by Uzi Arad, former Head of Israel's National Security Council.  Arad is a well-known strategist and thought leader who is currently a Senior Fellow at the Yuval Ne'eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security at Tel Aviv University. Arad served as National Security Advisor to Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and Head of the Israeli National Security Council between 2009 and 2011.  He was Netanyahu's Foreign Policy Advisor from 1997 to 1999. Between 1975 and 1999 Arad served with Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service. He held senior positions domestically and abroad and was advisor to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. He ultimately became Director of the Intelligence Division. Prior to his career in government, Arad was a Professional Staff Member at the Hudson Institute in New York and a Fellow at Tel Aviv University's Center for Strategic Studies. Program is free of charge but requires advanced registration. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Tuesday, 27 February 2024, 12pm-1pm – Virtual – "Foreign-Backed Disinformation: Its Impact on the Homeland" – Johns Hopkins University. Inside Intelligence presents Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary for Intelligence Brian Murphy. More information and free registration here here.

Tuesday, 27 February 2024, 2:00-3:00pm – Washington, DC – SPY with Me: Program for Individuals with Dementia and their Care Partners – Virtual International Spy Museum Program. SPY with Me is an interactive virtual program for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Join SPY as we use music and artifacts to explore some of our favorite spy stories. Programs last one hour and are held virtually through Zoom. To register, please email Shana Oltmans at soltmans@spymuseum.org. Free but space is limited. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Tuesday, 27 February 2024, 7pm – Washington, DC – WWI Series Part II: World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence – Virtual International Spy Museum Program. In the second part of our WWI series, dive deeper into America's intelligence history with author and global security historian, Dr. Mark Stout as he discusses his new book World War I and the Foundations of American Intelligence. The book examines the army, navy, and State Department's increasing reliance on intelligence personnel around the globe during the Great War to create a new professional practitioner that transcended the Armistice to active peacetime service leading up to the founding of the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. Stout examines the breadth of American intelligence in the war, not just in France, not just at home, but around the world, 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. Stout will also discuss how this gave the United States a solid foundation from which to expand to meet the needs of the second world war and the Cold War that followed. Support for this program has been provided by a generous grant from the Pritzker Military Foundation, on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, Self

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
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 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.
  Careers Booklet (new 2023 Fifth Edition) can be read or downloaded here
  



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.



Address Technical Issues Or Unsubscribe

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

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



Disclaimer and Legal Protection

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

(c) 1998 thru 2024


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