Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

22 - 28 May 2024
(Issue 20)

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

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


CONTENTS


Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)



Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)



Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives)



Section IV - MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

(All Categories)

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

GR, LR, JK, TG, EB, PO, DH, PL


Section V - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

True Intelligence Matters on Film: Mata Hari: The Naked Spy - Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf (2017)

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

Infographic: Visualizing the 5 Most Common Cybersecurity Mistakes - Visual Capitalist, 20 May 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

  • Dr. Pat Linehan — Decorated Former DIA Officer
  • Ann Rounsevell — Former Federal Employee
  • Richard Hollis Helms — Former CIA Chief of Station

    • Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Submissions: 2024 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest - Cosponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and Naval Intelligence Professionals. 31 July 2024 deadline.
    • Call for Papers: Special Issue of Intelligence and National Security Journal on Private Sector Intelligence. 300 word abstracts due by 01 Jul 24.
    • Call for Book Chapters: IGI Global Publications Forthcoming work The Impact of Leakers, Whistleblowers, and the Rise of Propaganda. 21 Jun 24 deadline.
    • Call for Online Survey Participants: Institution Review Board approved research project from Northeastern University on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts.
    • Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era.
    • Call for papers: Irregular Warfare Lessons Learned Since 9/11 - Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) and the Foreign Policy Research Institute's (FPRI) Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare conference in Annapolis, MD 17-18 September 2024 - 01 July Deadline.
    • Call for information: Child of former CIA officers John and Mary Mae Roman seeks information about parents' careers.
    • Call for papers and panel proposals: Society for Intelligence History 2025 Conference - International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C., 6-8 February 2025 - 31 May Deadline.
    • Call for information: Seeking input and suggestions for a chapter on Counterintelligence for the second edition of the Oxford University Handbook of National Security Intelligence.
    • Call for information: Seeking information on Priscilla Griffin de Mauduit, OSS-CIA, 1941-1965.
    • Call for information: Seeking information on Peruvian communist terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path).
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Seeking information on Czech-U.S. relations late 1970s and 1980s, StB's techniques and effectiveness, exposition and expulsion of U.S. staff in Prague, Czech intel operatives on U.S. soil.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation.
    • Call for Information: Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder and research activity/death in Mirny Antarctica 1997 / info on climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok.
    • Call for 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
    • 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 - Assorted Topics

    Employment

    Section VII - Events

    Upcoming AFIO Events

    • Mon 3 Jun 2024, 12:00pm CDT - In-Person - San Antonio AFIO Chapter meeting on "The Wild Weasel Program in Southeast Asia"
    • Thu 27 June 2024, noon EDT - In-Person and Virtual - The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter luncheon features the Honorable Bill Burgess, Circuit Court Judge in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit and US Army Special Forces veteran
    • 30 July 24, 1900 (PT) - Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East - In-Person, Yorba Linda, CA - AFIO Los Angeles Chapter; Dinner after presentation.

    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. It also includes several paid advertisements. Views expressed in articles and advertising are those of the authors and advertisers; they do not reflect AFIO's support or endorsement. Notices about non-AFIO events do not reflect AFIO endorsement or recommendation.
    AFIO does not vet or endorse research inquiries, career announcements, or job offers. Reasonable-sounding inquiries and career offerings are published as a service to readers, who should exercise caution and good judgment when responding and independently verify the source before supplying resumes, career data, or personal information.

    		     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS


    – Vacancy Notice –

    AFIO Director of Membership

    AFIO seeks a part-time Director of Membership, an in-office position at our new facilities at 220 Spring St, Herndon, Virginia. Flexible hours totaling 20 hours/week, starting at $25 an hour. Involves all aspects of recruitment and retention of members (including senior US Government officials, professors, students, retired officers, other individuals and corporations), assisting with new memberships, renewals, member assistance by phone and email, and event registrations. Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel is required. Also involves some renewal invoicing, small item shipping, and other standard office procedures, plus assisting with luncheons, board meetings, and other events as needed. A great opportunity to meet a wide variety of current and former intelligence officers, journalists, authors, researchers, professors, etc. If you are interested, contact Annette Janak at AnnetteJ@afio.com, or call (703) 790-0320.



    BOOK REVIEWERS WANTED

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


    – AFIO IN THE NEWS –

    India's foreign intelligence and a need for narrative management
    - Observer Research Foundation, 18 May 24

    "...The third lesson that the R&AW can learn is from the United States (US). In 1975, the CIA's domestic espionage operations were exposed, leading to a loss of public reputation. To remedy this, the CIA created an Office of Public Affairs in 1977. More importantly, the agency relied on an Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and Hollywood to promote content favourable to the agency. Whilst the former wrote memoirs boasting of successful operations, the latter resulted in popular movies such as The Recruit and Zero Dark Thirty. Despite criticisms that the PR mechanism has not resulted in much transparency, it is widely recognised that it has been "remarkably effective in allowing the CIA to control its history"..." (Read more here.)



    - Update on AFIO Member Privileges -
    at Special Forces Club London

    The Special Forces Club in London regrets to inform AFIO members that, due to an increased demand by its expanding body of members and limited capacity, lodging and club facility privileges will no longer be extended to persons who are not members of the Special Forces Club.


    AFIO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

    Released to members... 21 May 2024

    Duplicity and Betrayal in Espionage


    Recorded 9 February 2024

    James Roth, author and former CIA Officer,
    on The Dead Drop: Espionage is a Dangerous Game for Amateurs

    Interview of Friday, 9 February 2024. James Roth, author and former CIA Officer, on The Dead Drop: Espionage is a Dangerous Game for Amateurs, explores themes of duplicity and betrayal. The novel captures the human tension of real-world espionage with a memorable cast of characters. Of the book, former CIA Officer James Lawler wrote: "...a riveting tale of spies, youthful idealism, and adult betrayal, which accelerates to a thrilling climax worthy of a major motion picture."

    Host and Interviewer is AFIO President James Hughes, a former senior CIA Operations Officer and Former NSA Associate Deputy Director of Operations.
    The interview runs 22 minutes and includes several Q&As.

    Access the Roth video interview here or click above image.

    The Podcast


    LATEST PODCAST: In this new episode, Jennifer Ewbank discusses her position as the Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation and her responsibility for accelerating the development and integration of digital and cyber capabilities across all of CIA's mission areas as well as building the digital acumen of the CIA workforce through training and education. Ms Ewbank retired from her CIA post shortly after this interview. Recorded 3 Jan 2024. Host: Jim Hughes, AFIO President and former CIA Operations Officer. Interviewer: Paul Hollingsworth PhD, former senior CIA Executive in Analysis and Operations and AFIO Board member.

    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

    AFIO BOOK REVIEW (MAY 2024)

    Please enjoy this inaugural installment of AFIOʻs new short form book reviews, which are drafted by our members. Frequency of publication will ultimately depend on the availability of our growing team of volunteer reviewers; we will initially aim to produce one review each month. Feed back on this new effort can be directed to winseditor@afio.com


    AFIO Book Review by Dr. Derrin R. Smith:
    Romania, Nuclear Energy, and The Atomic Bomb:
    Horia Hulubei and the Roots of Policy
    written by Larry L. Watts (Rao Books, 2023).

    Access review here.




    The Archive

    AFIO Now Video Interviews and Podcasts in 2023 and 2024 are sponsored by
    Northwest Financial Advisors

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

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



    Special Walking Tours
    by SpyGuide Tours Inc.


    Three Ways to Make it a Spyher Summer

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

    2. Join us for a Spyher Summer Book Club: Gather on 8 July 2024 to discuss The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives by Ted Gup. Location TBD and announced separately. To register and receive updates send an email to rosanna@spyher.co with your intent to participate.

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

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

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



    THE MARKETPLACE


    THE AFIO STORE

    Special Gifts for Colleagues, Self, or Others

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


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



    CIA's In-house Gift Shop



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

    After completing the required, quick pre-approval process for all AFIO members described here, you can purchase directly from the EAA online store their unusual logo'd gift items for self or colleagues. EAA on 16 May 2024 released the photo above, which features some of their newest CIA items and other gift suggestions.

    Section I - CURRENTS

    (Recent Developments)

    Large number of Russian experts enter N. Korea to help spy satellite launch efforts: source - Yonhap News Agency, 27 May 24

    A large number of Russian experts have entered North Korea to support its spy satellite launch efforts, and Pyongyang has staged more engine tests than expected to likely meet their "high" standards, a senior South Korean defense official said Sunday. Speculation has persisted over the timing of the North's highly anticipated launch as it vowed last December to place three more military spy satellites in orbit this year, a month after successfully launching its first one. On Friday, South Korea's military said it had detected apparent signs of preparations for a new launch after previously stating that there were no indications of an imminent one. "North Korea has very carefully conducted (rocket) engine tests much more than expected," the official told Yonhap News Agency. "Looking at North Korea's activities last year, it should have already staged a (launch)." The November launch of the Malligyong-1 satellite took place after two failed attempts in May and August, respectively. (Read more here.)

    CIA’s Maura Burns Receives 2024 Wash100 Award - Govcon Wire, 21 May 24

    CIA Chief Operating Officer Maura Burns was presented with her 2024 Wash100 Award during a recent meeting with Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the prestigious recognition. The Wash100 Award is an honor presented to executives in the government contracting industry who have proven themselves as strong leaders and continuously demonstrated the ability to positively impact federal missions. Winners are hand-picked using a thorough selection process that combs through the accomplishments of each nominee to identify the most influential individuals in the field. Burns joined the ranks of Wash100 for the first time this year. She was chosen for her role in guiding the CIA’s five major directorates – which cover analysis, operations, science and technology, digital innovation and support – and mission centers to success. (Read more here.)

    EU wants spies on university campuses to fight Chinese tech espionage - Politico, 23 May 24

    European universities could soon have a direct line to intelligence agencies as the Continent seeks to shield sensitive tech research from foreign powers, especially China. National governments want to safeguard Europe’s research in sensitive technology like microchips, quantum, biotech and artificial intelligence. Officials said they want to set up regular classified and non-classified briefings and appoint "liaison officers" to help universities fight foreign snooping, in a text dated May 14 and seen by POLITICO. The text was signed off by ministers on Thursday. In recent years, concerns have grown over the presence of Chinese students and academics at European universities or collaborations between European universities and Chinese research institutes. Several universities, for instance, cut ties with the Chinese state-funded Confucius Institute after suspicions of espionage. (Read more here.)

    Cryptologic Warfare Officers Receives State of the Art Training - Station Hypo, 23 May 24

    The Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) at Corry Station recently completed the inaugural run of its revised 12-week Cryptologic Warfare Officer Basic Course (CWOBC). Under the leadership and guidance of CDR Pete Manzoli who serves as the Commanding Officer IWTC, Corry Station, LCDR Ryan Edem, LT Andrew Louvat, LT Jason Huntsman, and LT Alicia Oberholtzer, embarked on a thorough review process. They diligently combed through thousands of PowerPoint slide decks and training guides to eliminate irrelevant or erroneous information during the pre-pilot phase known as Train-The-Trainer (T3). Immediately following the T3 phase, these four instructors began the process of preparing for the actual execution of the 12-week pilot course. This involved countless hours customizing instructor guides, mastering the incorporation of various media formats, including synthetic training software into real-world practical exercises and scenarios. The successful completion of the 12-week CWOBC pilot course is a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of these officers! While this new course may not be perfect, it represents a significant step in the right direction. (Full article here.)

    FSB Launches Sweeping Purge of Military Elites With Kremlin’s Approval - Moscow Times, 24 May 24

    The recent arrests of five top Russian military officers are likely just the first of dozens of military figures who will be jailed in a sweeping purge by the security services, Russian government officials and sources close to the Kremlin and the Defense Ministry told The Moscow Times. Ostensibly an effort to stamp out military corruption, the Federal Security Service (FSB) is going after high-ranking generals in hopes of pinning the blame for the botched 2022 invasion of Ukraine on the military’s top brass and taking control of the distribution of the army’s vast budget — all with the Kremlin’s tacit approval. But the arrests risk throwing the army into disorder at a time when Moscow is seeking to capitalize on Kyiv’s weapons shortages and press further into Ukrainian territory. (Full article here.)

    US Intelligence Agencies’ Embrace of Generative AI Is at Once Wary and Urgent - Security Week, 23 May 24

    The operation’s results far exceeded human-only analysis, finding twice as many companies and 400% more people engaged in illegal or suspicious commerce in the deadly opioid. Excited U.S. intelligence officials touted the results publicly — the AI made connections based mostly on internet and dark-web data — and shared them with Beijing authorities, urging a crackdown. One important aspect of the 2019 operation, called Sable Spear, that has not previously been reported: The firm used generative AI to provide U.S. agencies — three years ahead of the release of OpenAI’s groundbreaking ChatGPT product — with evidence summaries for potential criminal cases, saving countless work hours. “You wouldn’t be able to do that without artificial intelligence,” said Brian Drake, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s then-director of AI and the project coordinator. (Full article here.)

    Ex-Royal Marine charged with spying for Hong Kong found dead in park - The Guardian, 21 May 24

    A former Royal Marine commando who was charged with spying for the Hong Kong intelligence service has died, police have said. Matthew Trickett, 37, who was on bail, was found by a member of the public in a park near where he lived in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Thames Valley police said officers attended and administered emergency treatment but he was pronounced dead at the scene in Grenfell Park on Sunday. The force said: “An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.” Trickett appeared in court along with two other men last week accused of monitoring, surveillance and harassment of pro-democracy activists in the UK. (Read here.)

    SpaceX launches first satellites for new US spy constellation - Reuters, 22 May 24

    SpaceX on Wednesday launched an inaugural batch of operational spy satellites it built as part of a new U.S. intelligence network designed to significantly upgrade the country's space-based surveillance powers, the first deployment of several more planned this year. The spy network was revealed in a pair of Reuters reports earlier this year showing SpaceX is building hundreds of satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, an intelligence agency, for a vast system in orbit capable of rapidly spotting ground targets almost anywhere in the world. (Full article here.)

    Poland forms Russian influence commission as spy fears grow - Reuters, 21 May 24

    Poland's prime minister announced on Tuesday the re-establishment of a commission to look into undue Russian influence, as Warsaw grapples with what it says is an intense campaign by Moscow to destabilise the country. While Poland has long said that its position as a key distribution hub for supplies to Ukraine makes it a major target for Moscow's spies, the defection of a judge to Russian ally Belarus this month put Poland on high alert. (Full article here.)

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

    • Unemployed 'Russian spy', 64, accused of trying to pass sensitive information about an MP to Moscow's intelligence service - Daily Mail, 24 May 24
    • Linwei Ding (AKA Leon Ding), Economic Espionage 2022 - 2023 - Shinobi Enterprises, 24 May 24
    • Romanian prosecutors arrest suspect accused of spying for Russia - Reuters, 23 May 24
    • Man charged with assisting Russian intelligence service in UK in counter terrorism sting - GB News, 23 May 24
    • Latvian Security Service pushes for prosecution of suspected Russian spy - LSM, 24 May 24
    • Chinese Police Officer Fired Following FBI Spying Investigation - The City, 22 May 24
    • U.S. exposes North Korean plot to steal intellectual property. Xi and Putin meet in Beijing. Taiwan gets a new president - The Spy Hunter, 21 May 24

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

    Section II - DEEP DIVES

    (Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

    Russia’s Military Shaken as Top-Level Purge Unfolds - Center for European Policy Analysis, 23 May 24

    Taken together, the arrests of at least four senior officers amount to the most serious attack on the Russian military in close to 25 years of Putin’s rule. One by one, military officials are being thrown into jail. With the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine looking more favorable for the Kremlin than for some time, Putin appears to think this an appropriate moment to punish the army for the failures of 2022. His repressive instrument of choice is, as always, his security service the FSB. The campaign started within the Ministry of Defense, taking as its first victim Deputy Minister Timur Ivanov on April 23. This did not raise many eyebrows — Ivanov was famous for his lavishly luxurious lifestyle, which had long suggested possible corruption. Three weeks later, Lt-Gen Yuri Kuznetsov, head of the personnel department at the ministry, was arrested on allegations that he was found with more than $1m in cash and valuables. (Full report here.)

    Spy Spots: Episode 9: Russian Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia (14 mins) - Spy Collection, 26 May 24

    This time we're in Tallinn, Estonia and we briefly cover some of the recent espionage history of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn. A building with a long history, and two high-profile espionage cases of the recent years. Specifically, the case of Sergey Nalobin (expelled in 2022) who, reportedly, had strong links with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and was attempting to infiltrate influential circles in Estonia, and an unnamed Russian intelligence officer who was expelled in March 2024 for acquiring and leaking documents about a criminal case in Estonia in order to influence public opinion and interfere with Estonia's judicial processes. (Full report here.)

    The Role of Intelligence Agencies in Countering Russian Hybrid Threats in CEE with Nathalie Vogel (23 mins) - Institute of World Politics, 24 May 24

    Ms. Nathalie Vogel gives a lecture entitled The Role of Intelligence Agencies in Countering Russian Hybrid Threats in Central and Eastern Europe. This lecture is part of the 13th Annual Spring Symposium of the Kosciuszko Chair of Polish Studies in honor of Lady Blanka Rosenstiel on the topic of "Crisis in the Intermarium: War in Ukraine and its Implications." Ms. Vogel is a Senior Research Fellow at The Institute of World Politics’ Center for Intermarium Studies, as well as a Senior Fellow at Prague-based European Values Center for Security Policy since 2016. Her research interests include the monitoring of hostile Chinese and Russian influence and disinformation campaigns in the German language info-space, the development of teaching modules in information warfare, and the briefing of allied governments, international organizations, and NGOs. She is also in charge of internal security, including the investigation of cyber incidents. Since 2019, Nathalie has been conducting successful advocacy campaigns against prominent cases of Russian lawfare involving abusive red notices and arrest warrants. Previously, she taught international relations at the University of Bonn, Germany. She has served as a project officer and consultant for youth and civil society at the NATO Office in Moscow where she conducted the information operation “NATO-Russia Rally” in 2006. (Full report here.)

    Opinion: Canada offers emotional support program for blown foreign spies - Financial Post, 22 May 24

    The release of over 600 pages of classified documents concerning security breaches at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg this past February shed a light on one of this country’s most shocking cases of espionage. NML scientists Xiangguo Qiu and Keding Cheng essentially used Canada’s highest-security biohazard lab as a lending library for Chinese military interests. During her time as head of Vaccines and Antivirals in the NML’s Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division, Qiu repeatedly acted on China’s behalf, including by transferring knowledge and materials from the NML to Chinese institutions. The files led bare Canada’s shocking inability to protect its own secrets. (Access here.)

    Intelligence liaison in practice; service attachés in the Swedish Legation in London 1939-45 - Journal of Intelligence History, 24 May 24 Open Access (original publication 20 Dec 23)

    During the Second World War, Britain was regarded by neutral Sweden as an important source of intelligence. Swedish service attachés were posted to London to use their diplomatic and service status to collect and report relevant intelligence to Swedish High Command in Stockholm for assessment and circulation. Their collection techniques in Britain meet Wilhelm Agrell’s definition of intelligence liaison and this paper describes how they were able to deliver significant results under difficult conditions. At times, they had to contend with a hostile and restrictive host country, communication difficulties (in every sense) with Stockholm and unappreciative diplomats and senior officers. Their efforts have gone largely un-noticed in Swedish Second World War historiography, and readers may be surprised to learn of the results that they achieved and the difficulties that they faced. (Access here.)

    The long history of OSINT - Journal of Intelligence History, 24 May 24 Open Access (original publication 14 Jun 23)

    This article presents the findings of exploratory research into the origins of OSINT for which it discusses three case studies from, respectively, the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. Many authors writing on open source intelligence assume that the first OSINT practices emerged at the eve of the Second World War with the establishment of the BBC Monitoring Services and the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service. Building on existing studies, which are supplemented with original archive research, this article demonstrates that OSINT has a much longer and richer history. Methodical efforts to collect and exploit information from publicly available sources to fulfill intelligence requirements are documented as early as halfway the 19th century in the United States and early 20th century in Europe. (Full report here.)

    Intelligence Advantage: Profiling African Leaders’ Meetings with U.S. Presidents - Center for Strategic and Intelligence Studies, 17 May 2024

    When President Joe Biden welcomes foreign leaders to Washington, he is inundated with paper. From talking points and draft statements to seating arrangements and dinner menus, the White House staff will prepare all of it, except for one essential document: the CIA leadership visit piece. It is this analysis—presented as a standalone assessment or integrated into the President’s Daily Brief (PDB)—that delivers decision advantage for the president of the United States. A CIA visit piece is more than a written recitation of a foreign leader’s career highlights or a preview of potential agenda items. When it is done well, it is a revealing and yet remarkably succinct study on a leader’s hopes and dreams, attitudes and demeanor, and friends and enemies at home and abroad. In other words, it is a roadmap to understand who is sitting across the table and how to advance U.S. national security interests. (Access here.)

    The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA): The Pentagon’s Eyes in the Sky - Grey Dynamics, 24 May 2024

    The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the Pentagon’s chief provider of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). The NGA is classified as a ‘combat support agency’: effectively, an organization which is tasked with providing tactical-level intelligence support for US combat operations all around the world. Although the NGA is a relatively recent creation, it can trace its roots back to the earliest efforts by the United States to place eyes in the sky during the Interwar Period. Tracing the historical roots of the NGA is a relatively easy task. Explaining why the NGA developed into what it is today is slightly more complicated. This is because the meaning of geospatial intelligence has changed over the years with the progress of technology, end use and user demand. (Full report here.)

    Chinese spying is intensifying in Germany, increasingly focusing on military technology - NZZ, 23 May 2024

    China wants to become the world's leading economic power by 2025. The communist regime will use any means to achieve this. The goal is to put the country on an equal footing with the United States. In the summer of 2016, the Cologne-based specialty chemicals company Lanxess reported two of its employees to the German authorities. For more than six years, the two had allegedly stolen secret knowledge about a patented chemical and passed it on to China, and then founded a rival company there. The Cologne public prosecutor's office investigated the two Germans of Chinese origin for two years. (Full report here.)

    Was Tatjana Ždanoka’s European Parliamentary aide hand-picked by her FSB handler? - The Insider, 22 May 2024

    In January, The Insider and its investigative partners revealed that long-time Member of the European Parliament Tatjana Ždanoka had been reporting to her FSB handlers in Moscow over a period from at least 2004 to 2017. Mere days after that report ran, the European Parliament launched an investigation into the Latvian national’s activities. Now, The Insider and Re:Baltica have discovered evidence suggesting that Ždanoka’s assistant may also have had suspiciously close ties with Russian intelligence officers. (Full report here.)

    An Egyptian spy single-handedly ruined the Israel-Hamas cease-fire - Business Insider, 21 May 2024

    An Egyptian spy torpedoed a potential cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas earlier this month by secretly changing its terms before handing it between the warring sides, CNN reports. The intelligence official, Ahmed Abdel Khalek, changed the deal after Israel had already agreed to it by adding in more of Hamas' demands to the framework to clinch their approval, according to the report. Abdel Khalek works for Abbas Kamel, according to CNN, who is the head of Egypt's general intelligence service. One of the biggest points of contention in the deal was a call for "sustainable calm" to be reached in its second phase, according to CNN. Israel is opposed to discussing an end to the war until Hamas is defeated and all of its hostages are freed, the outlet reports. (Full report here.)

    Insider Q&A: CIA’s chief technologist’s cautious embrace of generative AI - Associated Press, 20 May 24

    Knowledge advantage can save lives, win wars and avert disaster. At the Central Intelligence Agency, basic artificial intelligence – machine learning and algorithms – has long served that mission. Now, generative AI is joining the effort. CIA Director William Burns says AI tech will augment humans, not replace them. The agency’s first chief technology officer, Nand Mulchandani, is marshaling the tools. There’s considerable urgency: Adversaries are already spreading AI-generated deepfakes aimed at undermining U.S. interests. A former Silicon Valley CEO who helmed successful startups, Mulchandani was named to the job in 2022 after a stint at the Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Among agency projects: A ChatGPT-like generative AI application that draws on open-source data (meaning unclassified, public or commercially available). Thousands of analysts across the 18-agency U.S. intelligence community use it. Other CIA projects that use large-language models are, unsurprisingly, secret.  (Full article within journal 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.

    21 May | “The Real Ian Fleming” with Nicholas Shakespeare (87 mins) Nicholas Shakespeare joins Andrew to discuss the life and legacy of Ian Fleming. Nicholas is an award-winning novelist and biographer.

    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.

    24 May | The concept of red lines is foggier than ever, but deterrence should be crystal clear. Ever since Russia launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv’s allies have been grappling with the question of how best to support Ukraine without crossing Putin’s red lines. Many initially believed that sending Ukraine weapons like Abrams tanks and long-range missiles would cause Putin to escalate and result in an even more devastating impact on the region and world. But over the course of the war, Ukraine’s allies have gradually adjusted this view and have subsequently increased the caliber of their military aid. And now, there finally appears to be a growing movement to allow Ukraine to decide for itself how to best put the weapons to use - with fewer restrictions and fears of Russian retribution. (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.

    28 May | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Ramps Up its Anti-Western Propaganda Campaign

    The Islamic State’s (IS) January 3rd double suicide bombing in Kerman, Iran, and the March 22nd assault on the Crocus City Hall venue in Moscow signal the continued threat of officially-directed jihadist attacks, which tend to produce much higher casualty tolls than inspired acts. The resurgence of IS external operations should serve as a reminder that other militant organizations, particularly Al-Qaeda (AQ), are likewise capable and perhaps determined to carry out international terrorist attacks as well as mobilize supporters into action. The motivation of such groups to do so has markedly increased since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent military retaliation

    22 May | Kuwait Faces an Uncertain Future After Legislature is Suspended

    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.

    21 May | National Security Entrepreneurship: Arun Gupta Andy talks with Arun Gupta, a venture capitalism lecturer at Stanford University and an adjunct entrepreneurship professor at Georgetown. Arun is also the CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, which focuses on catalyzing and inspiring a renewed spirit of national service through innovation. He is the author of "Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society." In their discussion, Arun shares insights from his experience and book on how to better partner entrepreneurs and the government to solve large problems through a renewed focus on outcomes-based collaboration, and to inspire young people to consider public service careers. Gupta advocates leveraging the optimism of entrepreneurs and the scale of government to address issues like national security, health tech, and climate change.

    How China’s Intelligence Law Backfired with former CIA Executive Glen Chafetz - The Cipher Brief, 24 May 2024

    The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced in 2017 that it would compel its citizens and its companies to steal secrets from the rest of the world. This announcement came in the form of Article 7 of the National Intelligence Law, which made cooperation with China’s intelligence services a requirement for all Chinese everywhere. Now in 2024, enough time has gone by to assess the effects of this law. They are not all of what the CCP hoped for and expected. Predictably, the global targets of China’s espionage responded to China’s new law by scrutinizing the behavior of all Chinese citizens, companies, and other non-official entities in their countries. Of course, the Intelligence Law was hardly the only reason for increased attention to China’s espionage; China’s unprecedented level of spying and theft of technology and intellectual property were causes enough. The law’s main effect was to highlight the role ordinary citizens and companies were compelled to play by the CCP in China’s espionage. (Access here.)

    The Challenge of War in the Middle East: Will There Be Peace or More War? (90 mins) with former CIA Director Leon Panetta - Leon Panetta Lecture Series, 20 May 24

    Good evening everyone it's so nice to see all of you and it's with great pleasure that I welcome every one of you to the third event of this year's Leon Panetta lecture series live here in Leon's hometown of Monterey at the Monterey Conference Center thank you for being here this evening we continue the discussion of the challenges facing our democracy at home and abroad tonight we turn to the threats to democracy in the world from Putin's invasion of Ukraine to China's threats to Taiwan to the expanding nuclear threat from North Korea and Iran and in particular now the Israel Hamas war in the Middle East we are now s months into a brutal and destructive war that began with Hamas attacking Israel on October 7th... (Access here.)

    U.S. Intelligence Deserves the Distrust It Is Generating by former CIA Analyst John Gentry - The American Thinker, 24 May 24

    On May 16, Foreign Policy magazine published an article by three experienced intelligence officers, including one who has chronically politicized U.S. intelligence, who argued that the U.S. intelligence community (IC) is getting a bad rap at a critical point in history for unfortunate, unjustified reasons. Only the first part of the assertion is correct. Far more accurate would have been a judgment that the declining respect for the IC reflected in polls is a direct result of the recent partisan political activism and dishonesty of ostensibly respectable senior former intelligence officers and many inaccurate “leaks” by current intelligence officers, mainly against candidate and then President Donald Trump. (Access here.)

    Chief of Ops for the CIA (148 mins) with former CIA Acting Deputy Director for Operations Jack Devine - The Team House Podcast, 18 May 24)

    Jack is a 32-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency (“CIA”). Mr. Devine served as both Acting Director and Associate Director of CIA’s operations outside the United States from 1993-1995, where he had supervisory authority over thousands of CIA employees involved in sensitive missions throughout the world. In addition, he served as Chief of the Latin American Division from 1992-1993 and was the principal manager of the CIA’s sensitive projects in Latin America. Between 1990 and 1992, Mr. Devine headed the CIA’s Counternarcotics Center, which was responsible for coordinating and building close cooperation between all major U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies in tracking worldwide narcotics and crime organizations. From 1985-1987, Mr. Devine headed the CIA’s Afghan Task Force, which successfully countered Soviet aggression in the region. In 1987, he was awarded the CIA’s Meritorious Officer Award for this accomplishment. Mr. Devine’s international experience with the U.S. government included postings to Latin America and Europe. During his more than 30 years with the CIA, Mr. Devine was involved in organizing, planning and executing countless sensitive projects in virtually all areas of intelligence, including analysis, operations, technology and management. (Access here.)

    Putin is Relying on Xi to Help Recreate the Russian Empire with former CIA Director for East Asia Operations Joseph DeTrani - The Cipher Brief, 27 May 24)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their 43rd meeting since Xi took over in 2013, was an opportunity for both countries to challenge the U.S. and its leadership role in the global community. Xi and Putin pledged a “new era” strategic partnership and rivals of the U.S., “an aggressive Cold War hegemon sowing discord across the world.” Xi, his third term in power, and Putin, starting his fifth term in power, both challenged the U.S. led global order. Xi spoke of “pushing forward with changes that have not happened in 100 years.” Credit to Putin for skillfully cultivating a relationship with Xi and getting China to be Russia’s economic lifeline, after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the global condemnation and sanctions that ensued. The invasion of Ukraine immediately followed Putin’s meeting with Xi, at the Beijing winter Olympics, when Xi stated that China had a “no limits” partnership with Russia. (Access here.)

    Section IV - MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

    (All Categories)

    New Frontiers, Old Tactics: Chinese Espionage Group Targets Africa & Caribbean Govts - The Hacker News, 23 May 24

    The China-linked threat actor known as Sharp Panda has expanded their targeting to include governmental organizations in Africa and the Caribbean as part of an ongoing cyber espionage campaign. "The campaign adopts Cobalt Strike Beacon as the payload, enabling backdoor functionalities like C2 communication and command execution while minimizing the exposure of their custom tools," Check Point said in a report shared with The Hacker News. "This refined approach suggests a deeper understanding of their targets." The Israeli cybersecurity firm is tracking the activity under a new name Sharp Dragon, describing the adversary as careful in its targeting, while at the same time broadening its reconnaissance efforts. The adversary first came to light in June 2021, when it was detected targeting a Southeast Asian government to deploy a backdoor on Windows systems dubbed VictoryDLL. (Read full report here.)

    China’s state security authorities unveil espionage case involving military expert, sentenced to 15 years in prison - Global Times, 23 May 24

    China's Ministry of State Security on Thursday unveiled details of an espionage case involving a military expert who was compromised while participating in an international conference. Initially denying accusations, he eventually admitted to his illegal activities when faced with irrefutable evidence, leading to a 15-year prison sentence. The ministry reminded relevant personnel, especially those in sensitive key positions, to enhance their awareness and capabilities in safeguarding national security. As economic development continues to grow and foreign exchange activities increase, foreign intelligence agencies are increasingly working with and recruiting individuals from important units in China to conduct espionage operations, the ministry said. (Read full report here.)

    EU wants spies on university campuses to fight Chinese tech espionage - Politico, 23 May 24

    European universities could soon have a direct line to intelligence agencies as the Continent seeks to shield sensitive tech research from foreign powers, especially China. National governments want to safeguard Europe’s research in sensitive technology like microchips, quantum, biotech and artificial intelligence. Officials said they want to set up regular classified and non-classified briefings and appoint "liaison officers" to help universities fight foreign snooping, in a text dated May 14 and seen by POLITICO. The text was signed off by ministers on Thursday. (Read full report here.)

    Former CIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Espionage - US Department of Justice, 24 May 24

    Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 71, of Honolulu, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to gather and deliver national defense information to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). According to court documents, Ma and a blood relative of his (identified as co-conspirator #1 or CC #1) were naturalized U.S. citizens who were born in Hong Kong and Shanghai, respectively. Both Ma and CC #1 worked for the CIA — CC #1 from 1967 until 1983, Ma from 1982 until 1989. As CIA officers, both men held top secret security clearances that granted them access to sensitive and classified CIA information, and signed non-disclosure agreements that required them to maintain the secrecy of that information. As Ma admitted in the plea agreement, in March 2001, when he no longer worked for the CIA, at the request of intelligence officers employed by the PRC’s Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB), Ma convinced CC #1 to meet with SSSB intelligence officers in a Hong Kong hotel room. Over the course of three days, Ma and CC #1 provided the SSSB with a large volume of classified U.S. national defense information. At the conclusion of the third day, the SSSB intelligence officers provided CC #1 with $50,000 in cash, which Ma counted. Ma and CC #1 also agreed at that time to continue to assist the SSSB. (Read more here.)

    Intelligence Officials Lack of Business Expertise Jeopardizing America's Economic Security - Washington Times, 23 May 24

    The intelligence community lacks the business knowledge needed to provide Americans with economic security from foreign theft, coercion and competition, current and former U.S. intelligence officials say. The officials see gaps in their ability to detect technological surprises and threats to national security emerging in the private sector, where adversaries such as China look to undermine and steal U.S. innovation. Efforts to remedy the problems include changes to the spy agencies’ structure and new tools created in the private sector that can assist the government in analyzing America’s adversaries. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has created a unit focused on understanding cutting-edge technology applications, risks and supply chains. Casey Blackburn leads the burgeoning office of economic security and emerging technology with what he described as a “panicked sense of urgency.” (Read more here.)

    North Korea appears to be preparing to launch its 2nd spy satellite, South Korean military says - Washington Times, 24 May 24

    North Korea appears to be preparing to launch its second military spy satellite into space, South Korea’s military said Friday, as animosities remain high over the North’s continued weapons tests. Last November, North Korea placed its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit as part of its efforts to build a space-based surveillance network to deal with what it calls U.S.-led military threats. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later told a key governing party meeting that his country would launch three additional military spy satellites in 2024. On Friday, South Korea’s military told local reporters at a background briefing that it detected signs that North Korea is engaging in activities believed to be preparations to launch a spy satellite at its main Tongchangri launch facility in the northwest. The military said South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely monitoring the North Korean moves. The contents of the briefing were shared with foreign media outlets including The Associated Press. The South Korean military didn’t immediately explain exactly what North Korean activities were spotted in the Tongchangri area. (Read full report here.)

    Stark Industries Solutions: An Iron Hammer in the Cloud - Krebs on Security, 23 May 24

    Two weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, a large, mysterious new Internet hosting firm called Stark Industries Solutions materialized and quickly became the epicenter of massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on government and commercial targets in Ukraine and Europe. An investigation into Stark Industries reveals it is being used as a global proxy network that conceals the true source of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns against enemies of Russia. At least a dozen patriotic Russian hacking groups have been launching DDoS attacks since the start of the war at a variety of targets seen as opposed to Moscow. But by all accounts, few attacks from those gangs have come close to the amount of firepower wielded by a pro-Russia group calling itself “NoName057(16).” (Read full report here.)

    Putin hijacked Austria’s spy service. Now he's going after its government - Politico, 24 May 24

    The coup began with the sound of a doorbell. Just after 8 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2018, Austrian police Commander Wolfgang Preiszler pressed the buzzer at the headquarters of the country’s domestic intelligence service and held his ID up to the security camera. Within minutes, dozens of his colleagues armed with Glock pistols and a battering ram fanned out through the building in bullet-proof vests and balaclavas, seizing confidential data stored on the agency’s servers and sensitive documents lying on desks. The incursion — pitting the police against the spy service, known as the BVT — unleashed a firestorm that shattered Austria’s reputation in the intelligence world and led to the agency’s closure. (Read full report here.)

    Moe Berg: Baseball Player and Secret Agent - The Librarians, 20 May 24

    Moe Berg could be in Jerusalem right now. Then again, Berg might be in Tokyo, where he shot moving images during a visit in 1934, film he gave to the U.S. government that he figured helped American military planners fighting the Japanese in World War II. Or in Europe, where Berg spied for the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, an intelligence agency that evolved into the Central Intelligence Agency, during the war. Or at the sites of American stadiums, where he played baseball in the major leagues for 15 seasons. Or back in Manhattan, where Berg was born in 1902, earned a law degree at Columbia University and won quiz contests on national radio programs; or New Jersey, where he earned a bachelor’s degree at Princeton University, lived much of his life and died in 1972. More likely, Berg is in all of those places simultaneously, the winds having long ago exiled his ashes from Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus, where his sister Ethel scattered them. (Read full report here.)

    Russia Has Been Transmitting a Mysterious Radio Signal for 40 Years—And No One Knows Why - Popular Mechanics, 22 May 24

    Tune to shortwave radio frequency 4625 kHz and you’ll get a taste of a mystery that has confounded the world for over four decades. The station, located in Russia, has spent over 40 years broadcasting a mysterious range of beeps, buzzes, and spoken phrases. It’s been virtually nonstop, and nobody’s ever claimed ownership or given an official explanation. More than the obscure sounds, it’s the lack of information that continues to puzzle the world. Known as UVB-76 for its first known call sign, and later nicknamed “The Buzzer,” the station has likely been broadcasting since at least the 1970s. Trying to figure out why has been a difficult task. Theories abound. Shortwave radio allows signals to travel farther—in this case they cover the whole of Russia, and beyond. Some believe the signals could be a piece of Russia’s military communication network, transmitting to submarines or troops. Maybe it’s some sort of “Dead Hand” doomsday device monitoring for nuclear attacks. The signal came to light during the Cold War, so it could be a spy network transmission. (Read full report here.)

    Russia Has Been Russia Steps Up a Covert Sabotage Campaign Aimed at Europe - New York Times, 26 May 24

    U.S. and allied intelligence officials are tracking an increase in low-level sabotage operations in Europe that they say are part of a Russian campaign to undermine support for Ukraine’s war effort. The covert operations have mostly been arsons or attempted arsons targeting a wide range of sites, including a warehouse in England, a paint factory in Poland, homes in Latvia and, most oddly, an Ikea store in Lithuania. But people accused of being Russian operatives have also been arrested on charges of plotting attacks on U.S. military bases. While the acts might appear random, American and European security officials say they are part of a concerted effort by Russia to slow arms transfers to Kyiv and create the appearance of growing European opposition to support for Ukraine. And the officials say Russia’s military intelligence arm, the G.R.U., is leading the campaign. (Read full report here.)

    'Putin’s patience snapped': Insiders marvel at Russia’s military purge - The Guardian, 27 May 24

    In the weeks since Vladimir Putin sacked his longtime defence minister Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s FSB security service has pursued a series of high-level corruption cases against a deputy minister and department heads in what many insiders are now calling a purge in the defence ministry. Andrei Belousov, the technocrat economist appointed to replace Shoigu, has a mandate to reduce corruption in the defence ministry and streamline military production for a long war against Ukraine that could largely be decided by industrial output. But former defence and Kremlin officials, ex-officers and foreign observers have said it was likely the exit of Shoigu and loss of his protection that has allowed the FSB, the Russian security department responsible for internal investigations, to take down powerful officials in a power struggle that could have knock-on effects for how Russia fights the war in Ukraine. Putin’s war machine reshuffle reveals his deepest fear – the rise of Kremlin rivals... (Read full report here.)

    Section V - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

    Books — Forthcoming, Newly Released, Overlooked

    Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind
    by Annalee Newits
    (W.W. Norton and Company, 04 Jun 24)

    In Stories Are Weapons, best-selling author Annalee Newitz traces the way disinformation, propaganda, and violent threats―the essential tool kit for psychological warfare―have evolved from military weapons deployed against foreign adversaries into tools in domestic culture wars. Newitz delves into America’s deep-rooted history with psychological operations, beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s Revolutionary War–era fake newspaper and nineteenth-century wars on Indigenous nations, and reaching its apotheosis with the Cold War and twenty-first-century influence campaigns online. America’s secret weapon has long been coercive storytelling. And there’s a reason for that: operatives who shaped modern psychological warfare drew on their experiences as science fiction writers and in the advertising industry. Now, through a weapons-transfer program long unacknowledged, psyops have found their way into the hands of culture warriors, transforming democratic debates into toxic wars over American identity. Newitz zeroes in on conflicts over race and intelligence, school board fights over LGBT students, and campaigns against feminist viewpoints, revealing how, in each case, specific groups of Americans are singled out and treated as enemies of the state. Crucially, Newitz delivers a powerful counternarrative, speaking with the researchers and activists who are outlining a pathway to achieving psychological disarmament and cultural peace. Incisive and essential, Stories are Weapons reveals how our minds have been turned into blood-soaked battlegrounds―and how we can put down our weapons to build something better.

    Purchase book here.

    Spies for the Sultan: Ottoman Intelligence in the Great Rivalry with Spain (Georgetown Studies in Intelligence History)
    by Emrah Safa Gürkan
    (Georgetown University Press, 01 May 24)

    In the sixteenth century, an intense rivalry between the Ottoman Empire and the Spanish Habsburg Empire and its allies spurred the creation of early modern intelligence. Translated into English for the first time, Emrah Safa Gürkan's Spies for the Sultan reconstructs this history of Ottoman espionage, sabotage, and bribery practices in the Mediterranean world. Then as now, collecting political, naval, military, and economic information was essential to staying one step ahead of your rivals. Porous and shifting borders, the ability to assume multiple identities, and variable allegiances made conditions in this era ripe for espionage around the Mediterranean. The Ottomans used networks of merchants, corsairs, soldiers, and other travelers to move among their enemies and report intelligence from points far and wide. The Ottoman sultans invested in the novel technologies of cryptography and stenography. Ottoman intelligence operatives not only collected information but also used disinformation, bribery, and sabotage to subvert their enemies. This history of early modern intelligence is based on extraordinary archival research in Turkey, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Croatia, and it provides important insights into the origins of modern intelligence.

    Order book here.

    Spying for Empire: The Great Game in Central and South Asia, 1757-1947
    by Ted Gup
    (Doubleday, 16 May 00)

    In the entrance of the CIA headquarters looms a huge marble wall into which seventy-one stars are carved--each representing an agent who has died in the line of duty. At the base of this wall lies "The Book of Honor," in which the names of these agents are inscribed--or at least thirty-five of them. Beside the dates of the other thirty-six, there are no names. The identity of these "nameless stars" has been one of the CIA's most closely guarded secrets for the fifty-three years of the agency's existence. Even family members are told little--in some cases, the agency has denied the fact that the deceased were covert operatives at all. But what the CIA keeps secret in the name of national security is often merely an effort to hide that which would embarrass the agency itself--even at the cost of denying peace of mind for the families and honor due the "nameless stars." In an extraordinary job of investigative reporting, Ted Gup has uncovered the identities, and the remarkable stories, of the men and women who died anonymously in the service of their country. In researching The Book of Honor, Gup interviewed over four hundred current and former covert CIA officers, immersed himself in archival records, death certificates, casualty lists from terrorist attacks, State Department and Defense Department personnel lists, cemetery records, obituaries, and tens of thousands of pages of personal letters and diaries. In telling the agents' stories, Gup shows them to be astonishingly complex, vibrant, and heroic individuals--nothing like the suave superspies of popular fiction or the amoral cynics of conspiracy buffs. The accounts of their lives--and deaths--are powerful and deeply moving, and in bringing them at long last to light, Gup manages to render an unprecedented history of covert operations at the CIA.

    Order book here.

    True Intelligence Matters on Film - Mata Hari: The Naked Spy - Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf (2017)

    100 years ago Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted Dutch spy. It was at this moment that the legend of Mata Hari, the seductive spy, was born. Newly-discovered documents cast doubt on her guilt and reveal startling truths about her life. Mata Hari was a self-made woman whose boldness and sexuality threatened the male establishment. Most of what we've known about her until now has largely been myth. Mata Hari's challenges as an abused wife, single mother and a creative independent woman are familiar to women around the world. At the turn of the century, her struggles to attain sexual freedom, artistic expression, and liberation from the constraints of conventional society are the same ones women face today. She graced the cover of Vogue, performed all over Europe and left a coterie of smitten admirers in her wake.

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

    Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

    Infographic: Visualizing the 5 Most Common Cybersecurity Mistakes - Visual Capitalist, 20 May 24

    Cyber attacks are becoming more prevalent with increasingly damaging outcomes, presenting new cybersecurity risks to users. But in spite of the ever-evolving threat landscape, many of the best defenses remain the same. This includes the basics like creating strong passwords and avoiding malicious links. Yet often, people take unnecessary risks due to convenience, among other factors. This graphic shows the top cybersecurity mistakes in 2023, based on data from Proofpoint. (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

    Dr. Pat Linehan — Decorated Former DIA Officer

    Dr. Patrick Eugene Linehan passed away on May 20, 2024, at the age of 81. Pat was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He grew up in Miami, FL and attended Coral Gables Senior High School. He earned both a Ph.D. and an M.A. degree from the School of International Service, College of Public Affairs, The American University, and a B.A. degree from the Department of International Affairs, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. He served 4 years in the U.S. Army (March 1966-January 1970) with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, from June 1967-July 1968, 111th Military Intelligence Group, Special Agent (Field); and 82nd Airborne Division (MP), where he earned an Honorable Discharge, Combat Infantry Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Pat retired from a distinguished career with the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2021. His career with the DIA began in 1976 and took him across the globe with assignments in Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Middle East, and South Korea. His career reflected a breadth of experience, including combatant command experience and field operational experience. He was the recipient of numerous awards for distinguished and outstanding service, to include: DIA Unit Achievement Award, DIA Civilian Combat Support Medal, NATO Medal for Service in Kosovo, NATO Medal for Service in Bosnia, DIA Director's Annual Agency Unit Award (Iraqi Task Force), Unit Citation for Superior Performance from the Intelligence Community, and Defense Intelligence Director's Award. A celebration of life will be hosted at Arcola Methodist Church, 24757 Arcola Mills Drive, Dulles, VA 20166, on May 30 at 6 p.m. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Fund or The Fisher House Foundation.

    Ann Rounsevell — Former Federal Employee

    On May 20, 2024 Ann Rounsevell concluded her 100th trip around the sun. Rome, Georgia native, Phi Beta Kappa Vanderbilt graduate. Former majorette, Girl Scout leader, avid swimmer, overseas tax consultant, annual fruit cake production manager, investment rag archivist, award-winning tap dancer. She was a world adventurer who loved Vietnamese coffee, Thai silk, and the Mediterranean Sea. Well-versed in Southern etiquette and charm, this connoisseur of Spanish red wine and dark chocolate loved a good party and always dressed to the nines. She taught every grandchild the magic of compound interest and gave every stock broker she met a run for their money. Memorial 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23, Vinson Hall Retirement Community Chapel, McLean, Virginia.

    Richard Hollis Helms — Former CIA Chief of Station

    On Monday, May 13th, 2024, Richard Hollis Helms, aviator, spy, entrepreneur, mentor, and venture capitalist passed away peacefully at age 75 in his home after a courageous 6-year battle with ALS. Richard was born into an Air Force family at Eglin Air Force Base and moved regularly across the country following his dad's career in the Air Force. He graduated from Fairborn High School, in Dayton, OH, class of 1968 where he was senior class president, varsity football team captain, All-Western Ohio League, in the National Honor Society, student council, letterman's club, and Civil Air Patrol, through which he learned to fly. Richard earned a bachelor's degree in international relations and economic development policy in 1972 and a master's degree in national security policy in 1973 from American University. While he was at American University he worked as a security guard for the Central Intelligence Agency, and that was the beginning of his nearly 30-year career for the CIA where he was an Arabist in the Middle East, and Chief of Station or Deputy Chief of Station in various locations across the world including Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the United States. He was involved in intelligence-gathering, clandestine anti-terrorism intelligence programs, counter-terrorism/counter-narcotics programs, and was often referred to as the "rock-star of the CIA.” Upon retirement he entered the private sector where he encountered an inflexible corporate structure unable to utilize his skillset. When the agency did not call on his and his colleagues' profound expertise after 9/11, he founded Abraxas Corporation for which he won the 2006 Ernst and Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Technology. 10 years after it was created, Richard sold Abraxas and started Ntrepid Corporation which is still successfully developing cutting-edge software to save the world.

    Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Submissions: 2024 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest - Cosponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and Naval Intelligence Professionals. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East offer real-world case studies in modern technology applied to enduring conflicts. Militaries around the globe are working to gain insights from these conflicts and apply them to their own situations and national interests. At the same time, U.S. Navy leaders aspire to double down on technological change in the face of meager resources and institutional resistance. This year’s Naval Intelligence Essay Contest challenges you to think about the roles of naval intelligence in this dynamic and uncertain future. Potential themes include: How can naval intelligence most effectively sense, understand, and convey insights from current conflicts while guarding against simplistic and misleading lessons?; Has integrating naval intelligence into the information warfare community positioned it most effectively to support the future Navy?; How might widespread Navy employment of unmanned systems affect naval intelligence?; In a world in which commercial providers sell targeting-quality maritime intelligence as a service, what is the role of naval intelligence professionals in a future Navy?; What lessons does the recent real-world employment of land-based fires against maritime platforms offer for naval intelligence? 31 July 2024 deadline. More information and submission instructions here.
    • Call for Papers: Special Issue of Intelligence and National Security Journal on Private Sector Intelligence. This special issue of the journal Intelligence and National Security will present a collection of scholarly and practitioner work on the private sector’s security intelligence capabilities. This field has been largely overlooked by intelligence studies in favor of a focus on state- and secrecy-centric definitions of intelligence, which typically lead to the term “private sector intelligence” being associated with government contractors. Despite this, the use of intelligence by and for corporations for their own strategic, security, and operational purposes represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of intelligence power. When private corporations - energy firms, banks, airlines, movie studios - conduct intelligence operations as part of their corporate security activities, they fundamentally challenge the orthodoxy of contemporary intelligence studies by challenging assumptions of a state monopoly on intelligence power, and this special issue seeks to examine this fascinating dynamic. 300 word abstracts due by 01 Jul 24. More about topics and submissions here.
    • Call for Book Chapters: IGI Global Publications Forthcoming work The Impact of Leakers, Whistleblowers, and the Rise of Propaganda. We are delighted to announce a call for chapters for an upcoming book exploring the profound impact of leakers, whistleblowers, and propaganda in our modern world. We welcome contributions from established authors and those aspiring to publish their work for the first time. This book aims to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary analysis of how information is manipulated and the consequences that arise from these practices. 21 Jun 24 deadline. More about chapter themes and further details here.
    • Call for Online Survey Participants: Northeastern University is conducting an Institution Review Board approved research project on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts and welcomes the input, via online survey, of AFIO members. Access survey here.
    • Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era to help a family investigating their heritage. Specifically looking at The Plaza (1955), Hotel Pierre (1935 through 1970), and Hotel Delmonico (1945) (now Trump Park Avenue) as well as "Office of 39" Room 3603, and the OWI (Office of War Information) (1945). Details on the Grand Central Station underground and Waldorf Astoria Secret Elevator are also of interest. Other areas of interest for any information on the following people or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate include Swiss involvement in the Abwehr, The Nestle Company 1935-1945, Reinhard Gehlen, German Soldier Thilo Von Trotha in Addis Ababa in 1948-53, Michael Wardell in London, John B. McNair, Canada, Lord Beaverbrook in Cromarty 1948-49. Contact Rosanna Minchew at Rosanna@spyher.co.
    • Call for papers: Irregular Warfare Lessons Learned Since 9/11 - Department of Defense's Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) and the Foreign Policy Research Institute's (FPRI) Center for the Study of Intelligence and Nontraditional Warfare conference in Annapolis, MD 17-18 September 2024 - 01 July Deadline. The conference aims to capture lessons learned, including positive and negative examples, in the conduct of irregular warfare operations around the world by US, allied, and partner nations and non-state actors after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Submissions should describe lessons learned from one of seven conference topics: Information Operations; Human Terrain; Logistics, Supply, and Maintenance Operations; Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Operations; Intelligence and Counterintelligence Activities; Engaging with Partner Forces; and Utilizing Local Police and Militia Forces in a Counterinsurgency. While Afghanistan and Iraq were the most prominent of the post-9/11 wars, the conference welcomes papers that draw on lessons learned from irregular warfare operations in the Philippines, Horn of Africa, the Sahel region of Africa, or elsewhere. More information here.
    • Call for information: Child of former CIA officers John and Mary Mae Roman seeks information about parents' careers. John Roman, Jr. (6 Feb 1924 - 20 Nov 1997) served in Munich (1953), Saipan (1955-1959), and Addis Ababa (1959-1960). He and his family returned to the US in 1960 and settled in Vienna, VA. He retired in 1969. Mary "Mae" P. Roman's (8 August 1926 - 12 December 2013) career probably started in Saipan (1955-1959). She served mostly at CIA Hqs, but also served in Accra and Kingston before retiring in 1986. If you have any information, please contact Susan Roman Bailey at suzen27@gmail.com.
    • Call for papers and panel proposals: Society for Intelligence History 2025 Conference - International Spy Museum, Washington, D.C., 6-8 February 2025 - 31 May Deadline. The Program Committee welcomes paper and panel proposals relating to all aspects of intelligence history from around the globe and for all periods. We also welcome proposals on the craft of intelligence history, archives and declassifications, and teaching intelligence history. SIH values inclusion and welcomes applications from scholars from all backgrounds. Graduate students are particularly welcome to apply, and some scholarship support may be available for conference attendance. More information here.
    • Call for information: Paul Redmond requests members' input and suggestions for a chapter that he will be writing on Counterintelligence for the second edition of the Oxford University Handbook of National Security Intelligence (last edition published in 2010). Tentative Title: Challenges to Counterintelligence in 21st Century United States. Some examples of possible topics: Post- Ames reforms in CIA; DNI's NCIX/NCSC and its expansion into security role; leakers as a new threat; post-Cold-War cultural changes in the United States relating to USG CI and Security; post-911 concentration on terrorism perhaps at expense of CI; cyber threat from outside, cyber threat from inside (systems administrators); impacts of policy changes, such as transfer of some of CIA personnel data to OPM; impact/implications of DNI-imposed policy of "obligation to provide;" lessons learned and implemented from espionage/leak cases; impact/implementation of DNI promulgated "Insider Threat" policy; implementation by succeeding administrations of Presidential Decision Directives; effect of Congressional oversight on USG counterintelligence; impact of enhanced reporting requirements on contractors and contract employees; overall impact of the Internet and digital technologies on the CI craft; and impact of post-Cold war geopolitics on counterintelligence; impact of CIA involvement in military activities on CI; Attitudes of senior national security agencies management on CI. Published materials will be precleared with CIA's PCRB. Contact Paul Redmond at pjr@redmondfamily.net or 202-288-0671.
    • Call for information: In search of information on the career of my grandmother, Priscilla Griffin de Mauduit, at OSS-CIA, 1941-1965. She worked mostly in the Washington, DC office except for 1963-1965 in Miami during the Cuban crisis. Believed to have been forging documents during WWII and did some anti-communist research in the 1950s regarding Albania. She also worked on clothing disguises and "pocket litter". I have seen her personnel file for OSS, which has only the first 10 months of her employment beginning as a gs4 assistant in the security office doing applicant background checks. She started at OSS at the age of 50 and worked 7 years past the automatic retirement age of 65. As she was multi-lingual and knew Germanic script she moved early on into forging passports for agents. Any assistance would be appreciated. Contact Sharon C. Park at sharoncpark@gmail.com.
    • Call for information: AFIO member, author, and former CIA officer Michael Ard is researching the Peruvian communist terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and how intelligence made a difference in capturing its leaders. Anyone with information that would help with his research is asked to contact Michael at mard@jhu.edu.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects: Seeking information on Czech-U.S. relationship in the late 1970s and 1980s, including StB's techniques and effectiveness, exposition and expulsion of U.S. staff in Prague; conversely frequency of U.S. finding Czech intelligence operatives on U.S. soil. Have any former StB personnel spoken publicly about their previous work? Please email viveca.novak@gmail.com.
    • Seeking Interview Subjects:Current or former intelligence officers, analysts, and counterintelligence (CI) professionals with firsthand experience in dealing with Russian illegals to participate in confidential interview sessions as part of a PhD dissertation. Research Topic: The research investigates the impact of technological advancements on the operations and effectiveness of the Russian illegals program. Your insights will be invaluable in understanding the evolving landscape of espionage and informing potential countermeasures. Confidentiality: Your anonymity will be strictly protected. No identifying information will be used in the dissertation or any subsequent publications unless otherwise agreed to. However, written transcripts of the interviews will be retained for academic purposes. Eligibility: If you possess relevant experience and are willing to share your expertise in a confidential setting, please email omid.townsend@kcl.ac.uk.
    • Call for Information: A documentary on the life and death of Swiss photographer Bruno Zehnder needs some help. His family members received information that Bruno may have been approached by the CIA in the 1990s to help inform on Russian research activity in Antarctica. Bruno died whilst on a 1997 expedition there at Mirny under questionable circumstances as he was dubbed ' the western spy' on board. We are looking for anyone who may have any information in Bruno or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate between Russia and the CIA in the 19980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok. Contact Thomas Whitmore at Naomi.harvey@clockworkfilms.tv.
    • Call for 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.
    • 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 breaking of the Nazi U-boat SHARK encryption system.
      - How A.Q. Khan's nuclear proliferation efforts were uncovered and stopped.
      - How US intelligence found Usama Bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan.
      - How US intelligence discovered the Soviet's high speed Shkval torpedo.
      - Intelligence and the rescue of Scott O'Grady.
      - The hunt for Pablo Escobar.
      - How National Technical Means (NTM) have been used for environmental purposes (MEDEA Program).
      - Other topics are also welcome.

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

    Jobs

    • Senior Director - Arkin Group - New York, NY

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

    • Research Associate - Arkin Group - New York, NY

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

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

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

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

      • The Department of National Security invites nominations and applications for a tenured Full/Associate Professor and Chair of National Security. The department includes a dynamic undergraduate program encompassing four distinct bachelor's degrees (Security & Defense Policy, Intelligence Analysis, Homeland Security, and International Affairs), a robust master's degree program, and several practitioner-oriented certificates. Qualifications: A terminal degree in national security, public policy, political science, or related field is required; Ph.D. preferred. The successful applicant will have a record of teaching excellence at the university level, established catalog of academic publications, and an innovative research agenda. Applicants should also possess experience in university-level service and leadership. The department is particularly interested in candidates with policymaking experience in national security at either the federal, state, or local level. Tenurable Assistant Professors may also be considered in accordance with the aforementioned qualifications. Application Instructions: Please submit a brief cover letter explaining teaching experience and philosophy, publication record, practitioner-oriented experience (if applicable), CV, and the name and contact information for three references. Applicants may also include up to 3 artifacts of teaching ability (examples include syllabi, student evaluations, learning exercises, assignments, or other feedback) that illustrate teaching experience. All materials should be submitted online via interfolio link: https://apply.interfolio.com/138857 and indicate position search #24-26F in the subject line. For additional information, feel free to contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jeffrey Treistman at jtreistman@newhaven.edu.

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

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

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

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

      Additional information and application here.

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

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

      Additional information and application here.

    Section VII - Events

    AFIO Events

    Mon 3 Jun 2024, 12:00pm CDT - In-Person - San Antonio AFIO Chapter meeting on "The Wild Weasel Program in Southeast Asia"
    The San Antonio AFIO Chapter meeting will be 3 June 2024 at noon at the Blue Skies Texas West Towers residence complex in the Roadrunner Lounge. (5100 John D Ryan Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78245, about a minute outside of Loop 1604 on US Hwy 90 west). The program will be on the Wild Weasel Program in Southeast Asia. Come learn what "YGBSM" means. The June program will be on the Wild Weasel Program in Southeast Asia. "Wild Weasels" were aircrews assigned to proceed other strike force aircraft and to attack enemy missile and radar controlled gun complexes. North Vietnam's air defenses were the most intense in history, far more intense than the heavy antiaircraft fire over Nazi occupied Europe during World War II. And a new weapon, the surface to air missile, made the strike force pilots begin to believe these missions could not be survived. With shoot downs mounting up, something had to be done....enter the Wild Weasel pilot and his "Bear." The new "Iron Hand" program to suppress and knock out enemy air defense missiles would have aircraft fly ahead of the strike force and defend them against surface to air missiles and radar directed anti aircraft gun fire. These were brave men flying very dangerous missions. Wild Weasels were the first aircraft in and the last to leave the target area. The presentation will be by John Franklin, who was an intelligence officer with the Wild Weasels in SEA and again with them in the United States. The presentation will conclude with the stories of the two Wild Weasel pilots who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. AFIO Members attending should identify themselves to the gate guard as coming for the intelligence meeting in the Roadrunner Lounge at The Towers. AFIO members attending should park in front of The Towers. You may come early and have lunch in the dining room adjacent to the Roadrunner Lounge. Please pay with a credit card. Questions to chapter president John Franklin at satxafio@gmail.com or call 210 863-0430.

    Thu 27 June 2024, noon EDT - In-Person and Virtual - The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter luncheon features the Honorable Bill Burgess, Circuit Court Judge in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit and US Army Special Forces veteran. The Florida Suncoast AFIO Chapter is holding its upcoming luncheon at noon on Thursday, 27 June 2024, in the Tournament Room at the MacDill AFB Bay Pines Golf Complex, 1803 Golf Course Ave, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Our speaker is the Honorable Bill Burgess, Circuit Court Judge in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit and US Army Special Forces veteran. Judge Burgess has had outstanding legal and military careers, and he will touch upon how his military experience has helped him in his legal profession. The luncheon includes a box lunch and costs $25. Reservations and arrangements for Base access must be completed no later than noon on Thursday, 13 June 2024, including arrangements for base access and food selection.
    If you wish to participate by ZOOM, please click on this registration link to complete the registration request before noon on Thursday, 20 June 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? Contact the Chapter Secretary Michael Shapiro for more information, mfshapiro@suncoastafio.org.

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

    Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    Tuesday, 28 May 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 once a month. To register, please email Shana Oltmans at soltmans@spymuseum.org. Free but space is limited. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

    Wednesday, 29 May 2024, 12:00-1:00pm – Washington, DC – Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa ft Kevin Higgins – 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 Kevin Higgins, former Chief of Staff to CIA Director William J. Burns. Higgins, a Spy Museum Advisory Board Member, is a former CIA senior executive who retired after 30 years of distinguished service. In his last assignment at the CIA, he served as Chief of Staff to Director Burns. Higgins' prior senior executive leadership roles at CIA include Assistant Director of CIA for Africa, Chief of Operations of the Counterterrorism Center, several Chief of Station assignments, and Chief of Base of an expeditionary site in Afghanistan. During his three decades of service, he received honors including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, CIA's Excellence in Leadership Award, the George W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, and two CIA Director's Awards. He is a three-time recipient of the Presidential Rank Award. Higgins is currently a Principal Advisor at WestExec. He was previously the Senior Vice President and General Manager for US Operations and Global Opportunities at Silicon Valley drone manufacturer and instant logistics start-up Zipline. In 2022, Zipline was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the year's best inventions and further acclaimed in 2023 on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list of innovative companies. After leaving public service, Higgins founded KSTK Enterprises, a boutique advisory firm that specializes in guiding clients through a range of complex challenges. This program is generously sponsored by Washington Harbour Partners. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

    Wednesday, 29 May 2024, 1200-1300 (ET) – Virtual – The Business of Intelligence from Reagan to Biden – Johns Hopkins University

    Join us for a curated conversation with host Michael Ard and Linda Weissgold, former deputy director for analysis at the CIA. Linda Weissgold was the CIA's deputy director for analysis from March 2020 until April 2023. In that role, she was responsible for the quality of all-source intelligence analysis at the CIA and for the professional development of the officers who produce it. During her 37-year career at CIA, Linda was part of the creation and delivery of intelligence analysis on a variety of complex issues and in multiple settings. Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, she was an analyst and leader of analytic programs focused on the Middle East. Immediately afterward, she was among those that volunteered for counterterrorism assignments. The units she guided, including as the head of the CIA's Office of Terrorism Analysis, generated insights that informed US policy and operations across multiple Administrations and helped to identify Usama Bin Laden's location and the rise of ISIS. For more than two years, she served as President George W. Bush's intelligence briefer. A skilled communicator experienced in the coverage of urgent and controversial issues, Linda is a proven teacher and champion of analytic tradecraft, integrity, and objectivity in intelligence analysis. She is widely recognized for her unwavering dedication to the CIA's national security mission and its officers. Free tickets here.

    26-27 Jun 24 1200-1800 (GMT) – Virtual Conference – Knock in the Night: Intelligence, Security, and Special Services in Authoritarian States – Brunel University

    The Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) is hosting a two-day, online conference about the activities, role and functioning of intelligence and security organisations in autocratic regimes. The conference will address the causes, conditions and difficulties that national intelligence and security infrastructures face as governments transform into democracies. More information and free registration here.

    Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, Self

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




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

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





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







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




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


     

    PUBLISHED IN 2023
    Be informed on career opportunities in the U.S. Intelligence Community
    Intelligence as a Career - with updated listings of colleges teaching intelligence courses, and Q&As on needed foreign languages, as well as the courses, grades, extracurricular activities, and behavioral characteristics and life experiences sought by modern U.S. intelligence agencies.

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



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

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


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

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