Association of Former Intelligence Officers

Weekly Intelligence Notes

25 September - 01 October 2024
(Issue 37)

Readers who encounter problems with the email version of the WIN can
view the latest 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
and Recent Endeavors)


Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

True Intelligence Matters on Film: Declassified: The Untold Stories of American Spies, S3 E1 - Tracking Terror: The 9/11 Subway Plot - Domini Hofmann (2017)

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

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



Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

(Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

Obituaries

  • Thomas Forman — Decorated Military Counterintelligence Executive

    • Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: Child of former CIA Commo Officer Walter E. MacLeod seeks information about father's life and work.
    • Call for Intelligence Studies Course Syllabi: Florida International University adjunct professor tasked with creating a new course is in search of existing syllabi to help build new content.
    • Call for Articles and Book Reviews: The ODNI at 20 Years - Special Issue of the American Intelligence Journal, Fall 2024. 15 Oct 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Papers: Gender in the Security Sectors of the Indo-Pacific Region - Special Issue of the Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 31 Oct 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Papers: African Intelligence in the Post-Colonial Era, 1960-present - Special Issue of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. 01 Nov 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Interviews: Documentary film executive seeking extraordinary, true story material.
    • Call for Information: Farewell Dossier and the alleged explosion of the Siberian gas pipeline.
    • 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 information: Child of former CIA officers John and Mary Mae Roman seeks information about parents' careers.
    • 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 1980s/90s regarding adhering to the scientific treaty and the race to be the first to breach Lake Vostok.
    • Call For Articles: AFIO Journal, The Intelligencer - Assorted Topics

    Employment

    Section VI - Events

    Upcoming AFIO Events

    • 04 Oct 24, 11 am (ET) - McLean VA In-Person - AFIO National Fall Luncheon: JJ Green, WTOP, Morning Speaker; Afternoon Speaker Former National Clandestine Service Deputy Director for Counterintelligence Mark Kelton.
    • 08 Nov 24, 1130 (ET) - In-Person - Army Reserve Foreign Area Officer (FAO) LTC Tomio "Tomes" Toyama discusses his most recent deployment to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan while serving in the Office of the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) - San Francisco Chapter

    Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    • 5 October 2024, 2p-4p: Vintage Espionage, a wine tasting with an espionage twist hosted by former CIA officers.
    • 24 Oct 24, 1700-1900 (ET) - In-Person - The Evolution of Espionage and Spycraft - George Mason University, VA
    • 24 October 2024, 5 - 7 p.m. - In-Person Hanover, MD - NCF & INSF 3rd Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers event
    • 30 Apr - 02 May 2025 – In Person – Cryptologic History Symposium - National Cryptological Foundation and NSA Center for Cryptologic History, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
    • 30 Aug - 8 Sep 2025 - Mediterranean Cruise - Spies, Lies & Nukes announce Espionage on the High Seas! Plan NOW to join the late-summer 2025 cruise.

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


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

    TG, TM, LR, GR, JG, KB, EB, PO


    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


    - RELEASED TODAY TO MEMBERS ONLY -

    Lillian Wang,
    Former CIA Clandestine Service Officer,
    TV & Film Writer, and Lawyer
    on Her Exciting Career Trajectory

    Join Lillian as she discusses her immigration to the U.S., integration into a foreign society and school at a young age, and training as a CIA Operations Officer before years of service domestically and abroad. Resigning from the Agency for family reasons, she obtained a law degree and then shifted to work in TV and movies as a writer and subject matter expert on the CIA, the IC, and espionage. She provides career advice, explains her CIA training, and discusses her satisfaction working in the Agency.

    Recorded 20 June 2024
    Interviewer: AFIO President and former CIA Senior Ops Officer James Hughes.
    Duration: 19 minutes, including Q&A

    Click here or click the image above to access the interview.



    Book Review of the Month
    (October 2024)


    Former National Counterintelligence Officer for East Asia David Gutschmit writes on:

    Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy

    by Craig Whitlock
    (Simon and Schuster, 14 May 2024)

    Access review here.



    WIN Exclusive OpEd
    on
    Havana Syndrome

    The Intelligence Community Under Attack - From Within


    by Lewis Regenstein

    Mr. Regenstein, an AFIO charter member and frequent contributor of content for the Weekly Intelligence Notes, is a former CIA officer and author. He has written extensively about Havana Syndrome, including an article titled The Mysteries – and Realities – of the Havana Syndrome: It’s the Russians, which appeared in AFIO's trade journal The Intelligencer (volume 28, no.1 Winter-Spring 2023).

    Access OpEd here.

    - William J. Donovan Award Dinner -

    Saturday, 19 October 2024
    Washington, DC

    The OSS Society's William J. Donovan Award Dinner is the preeminent annual gathering of the US intelligence and special operations communities. The OSS Society will honor some of our nation's greatest unsung heroes who have served at the "tip of the spear" as our nation's first line of defense, including CIA veterans Janet Baum and Greg Vogle; commemorate the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and the liberation of Paris; and the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding. The evening's meal will be a tribute to OSS veteran and the "French Chef" Julia Child. You do not want to miss what Washington Post columnist David Ignatius described as a "wonderful celebration of our country at its best."
    Individual tickets can be purchased online here.

    If you are interested in attending or being a sponsor of event, please contact The OSS Society at oss@osssociety.org.

    - AFIO NATIONAL FALL LUNCHEON -

    - Registration has Closed -

    Friday, 4 Oct 2024, 1100-1400
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, McLean-Tysons, VA
    1960 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean VA 22102

    FEATURING:

     
    Mark Kelton
    Former National Clandestine Service Deputy Director for Counterintelligence (DDNCS/CI)     		  J.J. Green
    WTOP National Security Correspondent

    Schedule:

    1030 Check-in for preregistered attendees (no walk-ins)
    1100 J.J. Green, WTOP National Security Correspondent
    12-1300 Lunch
    1300 Mark Kelton, Former National Clandestine Service Deputy Director for Counterintelligence (DDNCS/CI)
    1400 Event ends

    Cancellations: No refund for cancellations after 21 Sep 2024. Reservations canceled after 27 Sep 2024 are forfeit; the meal has been guaranteed at the hotel per the contract and no substituted guests allowed.

    Attendees must be AFIO members or accompanied by a member. For security reasons, no late or last-minute substitutions.

    Please direct any questions to events@afio.com


    Special Walking Tours
    by Spyher Tours

    - New in October! -

    Friday, 4 October 6:30p-8p Special Guest Host

    Enjoy the Embassy Row Spy Tour with Special Guest Host Will Barr. Will Can neither confirm nor deny that he served in the CIA's Directorate of Operations for the better part of a decade. Use promo code SPYWITHWILL for $10 off!
    Click here to learn more and book tours.

    ...AND...

    Saturday, 5 October 2024 DOUBLE HEADER

    10a-1230p: Arlington National Cemetery, CIA Memorial Wall Tour with Special Guest Itay Hertz
    Itay has 20+ years of operational experience in security, risk, and including 15 years serving in the Israeli government. He brings a unique depth of knowledge on terrorist groups in the Middle East, and has deployed to 39 countries on behalf of the State of Israel, leading international security operations in support of government executives, the intelligence service, and more.
    Click here to learn more and book tours.

    2p-4p: Vintage Espionage at the Old Forestville Schoolhouse in Great Falls, VA
    Immerse yourself in a world of mystery and intrigue with a former CIA officer turned sommelier while you enjoy a curated selection of wines: two sparkling, two chardonnay, and two pinot noir. Along the way enjoy stories from her life on the front lines of intelligence. She is accompanied by Spyher Founder Rosanna Minchew. Use promo code SPYHERWINEFRIENDS for $15 off.
    Click here to learn more and book tours.

    OTHER TOURS: Spyher tours and events expands with three new tours offered weekly Wednesday - Sunday: The Capitol Hill Spy Tour, Arlington National Cemetery: CIA Memorial Wall Tour, and SpyKids Mission Training. Visit Eventbrite to book these and our original tours: The Georgetown Spy Tour and The Embassy Row Spy Tour.
    Use promo code AFIOSPYTOUR for a 15% discount.

    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.


    - CALL FOR ARTICLES -

    AFIO seeks authors for "When Intelligence Made a Difference," a feature in the semi-annual Intelligencer journal. Whether contemporary or historical, proposed articles should explain an event in which the application of actionable intelligence made a difference. For professors, this can make a good assignment for students. AFIO welcomes student papers as potential articles, which can be brief or up to 3,000 words. Interested authors can contact senior editor, Peter Oleson, at peter.oleson@afio.com



    The AFIO Podcast

    AFIO Now Podcasts Present:

    A Career at the NSA, the US Cyber Command, and the US Navy

    AFIO Now Presents: RADM Peg Klein

    RADM Peg Klein speaks with AFIO board member Everette Jordan about her exceptional career at the NSA, the US Cyber Command, and the US Navy.
    Interview conducted Tuesday, 28 May 2024. Hosted by AFIO President James Hughes, Interviewed by Everette Jordan.

    The audio-only version of AFIO Now, great for listening to in your car or while accomplishing other tasks, can be downloaded or streamed on any of the following podcast platforms by searching for "AFIO":

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


    AFIO Now Archive

    AFIO Now interviews, video and audio-only forms, 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 in the section above.

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


    THE MARKETPLACE


    THE AFIO STORE

    Special Gifts for Colleagues, Self, or Others

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


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



    CIA's In-house Gift Shop



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

    After completing the required, quick pre-approval process for all AFIO members described here, you can purchase directly from the EAA online store their unusual logo'd gift items for self or colleagues. EAA on 20 September 2024 released the photo above, which features some of their newest CIA items and other gift suggestions.

    Section I - CURRENTS

    (Recent Developments)

    General Interests

    The Wily Spy Who Risked His Life to Meet North Korea’s Secretive Leader - New York Times, 27 Sep 24 (Member Contribution)

    When the South Korean spy met with Kim Jong-il, he declined the late North Korean leader’s offer of a toast, citing a promise to his mother that he would never drink. But the undercover agent, masquerading as a businessman, vowed to break his abstinence when the two Koreas reunified, until recently an overriding policy goal of the leaders of both countries. Park Chae-so, the spy, amused Mr. Kim when the North Korean dictator gave him a bottle of blueberry wine as a parting gift. He asked for another. “Mr. Chairman, don’t we Koreans say one is one too few?” he said. Mr. Park’s 1997 meeting with Mr. Kim, the father of the current leader, Kim Jong-un, lasted only 35 minutes. But it was a coup for South Korea’s intelligence community: He was its only known undercover agent to penetrate the security cloaking the world’s most secretive regime and finagle an audience with its enigmatic leader. (Read more here.)

    During the UN General Assembly in New York, FBI counterintelligence searches for opportunity - HUMINT, 26 Sep 24

    “It's like the Super Bowl,” a U.S. official tells me. But the field isn’t covered in grass or AstroTurf: It is concrete sidewalks blocked off, security standing on every corner, and an ever-present honking outmatched by a stream of foreign pedestrians, sporting their badges and pins. We’re talking about this week in New York City, as the United Nations General Assembly takes place. “It's a target rich environment,” says the official, who once worked in counterintelligence at the FBI. The 79th session is the first since the Israel-Hamas war began and the last where Joe Biden spoke as president. And it comes as a shadow casts deeper across the world — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the UN that Russia is planning to attack Ukraine’s nuclear plants. Hezbollah launched its first ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, unsuccessfully targeting Mossad’s headquarters after the pager/walk-talkie attacks. And China made the rare announcement that it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which landed in the Pacific Ocean. All of that just on Wednesday. (Full article here.)

    Who is Pakistan’s new spy chief Asim Malik? - Al Jazeera, 24 Sep 24

    Pakistan’s military has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Malik as the new head of the country’s premier intelligence agency, the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Malik will assume his role on September 30. Before this appointment, he served as the adjutant general (AG) at the army’s general headquarters, overseeing military administrative affairs, including legal and disciplinary matters, for the past three years. The ISI chief is often seen as the second-most powerful person in the military after the Chief of Army Staff — in a country where the military is the most powerful institution. The outgoing ISI chief, General Nadeem Anjum, took office in November 2021 under then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. His tenure, extended by a year in September 2022, coincided with significant political upheaval, including Khan’s ouster through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022 – a move Khan attributed to military interference, a charge that the military has consistently rejected. (Full article here.)

    Ex-CIA officer convicted of groping coworker in spy agency’s latest sexual misconduct case - Associated Press, 25 Sep 24

    A veteran CIA officer was found guilty Wednesday of assault and battery for reaching up a colleague’s skirt and forcibly kissing her during a drunken party at a CIA worksite — a case that happened just days after the spy agency promised to crack down on sexual misconduct in its ranks. Donald J. Asquith said he would appeal the misdemeanor conviction following a brief judge trial in Loudon County, entitling him under Virginia law to a jury trial on the same allegations. Asquith, who retired after last year’s attack, was sentenced to a day in jail, a year of probation and a $2,500 fine. “It’s a vindication,” said Kevin Carroll, an attorney for the victim and several other women who have come forward to Congress and authorities with their own accounts of sexual assaults and unwanted touching within the agency. “She thought she had to stand up for younger women so that they didn’t have to go through something similar.” (Full article here.)

    Man Spots Secret U.S. Military Spacecraft with Amateur Telescope - Futurism, 24 Sep 24

    In an interview with Space.com, sky watcher Felix Schöfbänker described how he came to capture imagery of Pentagon craft that nobody knows much about. Using a 14-inch Dobsonian telescope that's optimized to track satellites, the Austrian astrophotographer cross-referenced the images he captured with specs from various spy satellites launched by the Pentagon. While most of what he's spotted recently have been known crafts deployed by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), including the Boeing-built Future Image Architecture (FIA)-Radar satellites and some Keyhole (KH)-11 orbiters, one stood out to Schöfbänker as nothing he's seen before. (Read here.)

    China’s spy agency accuses New Zealand of ‘harassment, intimidation’ of Chinese citizens - South China Morning Post, 26 Sep 24

    China’s top counter-espionage agency has accused New Zealand of “harassment and intimidation” in its investigations of Chinese nationals after Wellington released an annual security threat report that labeled China as a “complex intelligence concern”. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) condemned New Zealand for what it said were unfounded claims of a “Chinese intelligence threat”, adding that such actions harmed bilateral relations. The MSS said the allegations reflected New Zealand’s “ideological bias” and “cold war mentality”, which undermined cooperation between the two countries. (Full article here.)

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

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

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

    Section II - DEEP DIVES

    (Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

    How Israel's Spies Got Blindsided by Hamas but Still Hit Hezbollah Hard - Wall Street Journal, 27 Sep 24 (Member Contribution)

    A year ago, Israel suffered its worst-ever intelligence failure when . Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Today, a wave of strikes against Hezbollah has Israel's long-vaunted spies back on the front foot. The turnaround reflects how Israel has invested its time and resources over the past two decades. Since fighting a war with Lebanon-based Hezbollah in 2006, Israel has rigorously prepared for another major conflict with the militant group-and potentially with its backer Iran. Hamas, by contrast, was viewed as a far less potent threat. Even shortly before the Oct. 7 incursion from the Gaza Strip, top officials were dismissing signs of an impending attack. Last September, the Israeli military confidently characterized Gaza as being in a state of "stable instability," and intelligence assessments concluded that Hamas had shifted its focus to stoking violence in the West Bank and wanted to limit the risk of direct Israeli retaliation. (Full article here.)

    Puzzling Pieces: OSINT and War Crime Accountability in Ukraine - Royal United Services Institute, 26 Sep 24

    Kyiv’s signature of the statute on 21 August came several weeks after Russia’s 8 July attack on a paediatric hospital, which killed over 35 people (including four children) and injured another 190, in Russia’s latest egregious crime committed during its war of aggression in Ukraine. In the face of such a tragedy, OSINT analysts in Ukraine and further afield were quick to identify the make and composition of the Kh-101 missile that hit the hospital, denying Russia the opportunity to mask the attack and affirming the increasing relevance of OSINT in holding the Kremlin accountable. OSINT's relevance to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is no coincidence, but rather the result of OSINT’s gradual development and acceptance in recent years, in parts thanks to advancements in data tools including geolocation and chronolocation software. Realising its full potential requires a coordinated and prepared approach from government, the private sector and civil society – no small undertaking. (Access here.)

    Moral Risk, Moral Injury, and Institutional Responsibility: Ethical Issues in HUMINT - International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, 26 Sep 24

    Intelligence is morally unique—means and ends that are typically morally problematic are rendered justifiable by reference to the special purpose that national security intelligence serves. This is particularly the case with human intelligence (HUMINT), where operators and handlers might have to violate normal ethical principles as part of their job. Lying, coercion, and/or exploitation may feature as part of a HUMINT operation. This creates a moral risk, where individuals and institutions are excepted from normal moral constraints. Rather than looking at the immediate moral risks of HUMINT operations, this article looks at the relation between the moral risks encountered as part of HUMINT and moral injury. Moral injury may refer to two complementary phenomena: when a person is exposed to immoral activities and suffers psychologically because of dissonance between those immoral activities and normal moral behaviors, and when a person’s moral character is “numbed” because of them engaging in immoral activities. HUMINT exposes intelligence officers to both kinds of moral injury. There is a moral responsibility of intelligence institutions to be both aware of, and seek to mitigate, moral injury, while operating in a context where such moral risk is at times justifiable. (Access here.)

    Mike Benz: Speedrunning The History Of The Intelligence State (42 mins) - Real Clear Politics, 24 Sep 24

    The "intelligence state" is a concept that implies that intelligence has taken over the state and that it has somehow gone rogue. Something has gone very wrong -- that intelligence, which is supposed to serve the state, has subsumed it. I will present the essential history of the intelligence state, but there is something beyond it that I think, beginning with, helps elucidate. We'll sort of speed-run the essential history all the way up to the present, but we're going to start in the year 1948. This is the sort of "Year Zero" of the founding of the intelligence capacities of the U.S. government. Instead of learning what you'd find in an ordinary history book, we're going to start with a document that I'm curious if anyone has ever seen, called "The Inauguration of Organized Political Warfare." (Full report here.)

    How private intelligence companies became the new spymasters - Engelsberg Ideas, 24 Sep 24

    In 2014 Dan Geer, a computer security analyst, gave a speech at the RSA Conference, an annual gathering of cyber-security specialists, titled: ‘We Are All Intelligence Officers Now’. It described the ways in which computers were insinuating themselves into every aspect of life, the resulting haemorrhage of data, and the change in what it meant to be a collector of intelligence. In his talk, Geer asked: ‘Is it possible that in a fully digital world it will come to pass that everyone can see what once only a director of national intelligence could see?’ Fast forward and it is possible to see Geer’s vision being realised. For a flavour of this, consider an episode that unfolded in 2021. Analysts noticed that CCTV cameras in Taiwan and South Korea were digitally talking to crucial parts of the Indian power grid – for no apparent reason. On closer investigation, the strange conversation was the deliberately indirect route by which Chinese spies were interacting with malware they had previously buried deep inside the Indian power grid. The analysts were in a position to observe this because they had been scanning the entire internet to find command and control (C2) nodes – such as the offending cameras – that hackers tend to use as pathways to their victims. (Access here.)

    A country for old men: What’s happening to Nikolai Patrushev’s protégés at the FSB after his departure? - The Insider, 26 Sep 24

    This past May, Vladimir Putin removed longtime confidante Nikolai Patrushev from his role as secretary of the Security Council and made him an “advisor for shipbuilding.” Many anticipated that a shift among Russia’s power clans would follow. The expectation was particularly strong given the fact that the generation of generals linked to Rosneft chief Igor Sechin was nearing retirement. However, six months later, despite several major failures and corruption scandals, the “Patrushevites” have kept their seats in influential positions within the security services — including at the FSB, where Alexander Bortnikov remains in charge. The Insider has assembled a brief overview of the internal FSB power struggles and the structure of Patrushev’s clan. (Access here.)

    The Government Agency that actually is trying to get inside your head: Understanding DCSA's Mission (45 mins) - State Secrets Podcast, 30 Sep 24

    The Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency touches more than 90% of the personnel security background checks that help determine whether a job candidate receives a security clearance.  But the agency has other missions as well, all focused on enhancing national security.  State Secrets podcast host Suzanne Kelly talks with Director David Cattler about the agency’s responsibilities, about just how long it takes to get a clearance, the challenges associated with clearing a workforce and about whether that marijuana you once tried really is a dealbreaker (we couldn’t resist the urge to ask). (Access here.)

    The Cutting Edge of Classified: Research at NSA (41 mins) - No Such Podcast, 25 Sep 24

    How does NSA stay ahead of its foreign adversaries? Emerging technologies can have significant impacts on national security, further heightening the critical nature of NSA’s foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions. NSA researchers help defend the United States every day by focusing on what’s next. Learn from NSA’s Director of Research, Gil Herrera, about the strategy behind the largest in-house research group in the United States Intelligence Community. Learn about large language models (LLMs) from a leading expert in the field, and how this technology can help enable NSA to more effectively carry out its foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions. Understand how leading researchers, from mathematicians to computer scientists to engineers and beyond, contribute to national security. (Access here.)

    Ciphers, Disguise, and Invisible Ink: Tools of the Trade with Pete Langman & Nadine Akkerman (68 mins) - Spycast Podcast, 24 Sep 24

    This week’s episode is a journey back to the 16th century to explore the spies and tradecraft of the Elizabethan era – A time when spymasters like Sir Francis Walsingham were organizing some of the earliest forms of centralized intelligence, and creative minds like Arthur Gregory were brainstorming new and innovative ways to deceive their enemies. Andrew was joined by Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman, authors of the new book Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration. From ciphers and codes to disguise and distraction, Pete and Nadine cover it all and the clever masterminds behind their early usage. Tune in to learn more! (Access here.)

    Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

    (Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
    and Recent Endeavors)

    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.

    26 Sep | In Africa, China trades aid and investment for political and economic gains -- without the limitations of the West. In early September, Chinese President Xi warmly welcomed more than 50 African leaders at the China-Africa Summit in Beijing. As during previous Summits, China announced a substantial package of aid and investment for Africa, especially for infrastructure, as well as trade agreements totaling more than $50 billion. Although the realization of these packages is difficult to grasp from the outside, in Africa these investments are readily visible -- even if not always successful. Indeed, for decades China has demonstrated a dedicated and strategic interest in Africa while the West has been more conditional in its approach. (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.

    27 Sep | The Strategic Targeting of Ukraine’s Energy and Nuclear Facilities

    Russia launched targeted air strikes on energy facilities in the northeastern city of Sumy in Ukraine early last week. The attack reduced power in parts of the city, forcing it to rely on back-up power sources, depleting necessary resources as the region prepares for the winter months where demand rises as temperatures drop below freezing. According to Reuters, “Ukraine's energy ministry said Russia's attacks had caused a fire at a power substation and cut power to more than 281,000 consumers.” Russia has continuously utilized critical infrastructure as a prime target during its invasion of Ukraine, including strikes on energy facilities and power grids.

    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.

    24 Sep | Punishing Putin: Stephanie Baker Michael talks with Bloomberg senior writer Stephanie Baker about her new book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia, which examines the unprecedented economic statecraft waged by the U.S. and its European allies in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The book evaluates the effectiveness of sanctions, how Russia is enduring them, and what may happen next.

    Unpacking the Information War Against the U.S. (170 mins) with former CIA Analyst John Gentry - Shawn Ryan Show, 26 Sep 24 (Member Contribution)

    John A. Gentry is a respected figure in the fields of military service, intelligence analysis, and academia. After earning a degree in political science and international affairs, he served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). His military career provided him with a robust understanding of global security dynamics and strategic leadership. Following his military service, Gentry transitioned to a role as a CIA analyst, where he evaluated intelligence data and contributed critical insights to national security decisions. His expertise in geopolitical issues made him a valuable asset within the intelligence community, helping to shape assessments on various international threats and foreign policy challenges. Currently, Gentry is a professor at Missouri State University, where he educates students on national security, intelligence analysis, and military strategy. His commitment to mentoring young professionals and fostering interest in public service underscores his dedication to shaping the next generation of leaders in international relations and security studies. He is also the author of the new book "Neutering the CIA," which explores the agency's evolution and future challenges. (Access here.)

    An Ex-Spy in Congress Aims to be Virginia Governor (27 mins) - with Former CIA Operations Officer Abigail Spanberger - Spy Talk Podcast, 27 Sep 24

    Can a good spy become a good politician? I mean, not as an undercover agent—spy agencies are pretty good at that—but in an overt way, in, say, the messy U.S. Congress. Or, put another way, can the skills that a CIA officer employs in clandestine operations—gregariousness, empathy and, let’s face it, a learned talent for manipulating people—be put to good use in a place like a deeply polarized Congress? In this week’s SpyTalk podcast I put those questions to Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former member of the CIA’s clandestine service, who in 2018 won a seat in Congress from Virginia as a Democrat—breaking, by the way, a nearly 40-year long Republican chokehold on a sprawling district in the near and far suburbs Washington, DC. Since then Spanberger has developed a strong reputation for working across the aisle with Republicans on bills that help their respective constituents. And now she’s running for governor of Virginia with no primary opposition. She’s not the only former CIA officer in Congress, of course, now or ever. Currently Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich), who served as a CIA analyst in Iraq, is running against Republican Mike Rogers, the former congressman and chair of the House Intelligence Committee, to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate. But Spanberger is who we’re talking to this week. (Access here.)

    DEA's Astounding Internal Security Problem by Former U.S. Army Case Officer Jeff Stein - Spy Talk, 26 Sep 24

    In February 2021, Wolf Entertainment, the company behind the wildly successful Law and Order: SVU franchise on NBC, announced it was bringing aboard veteran prosecutor Anne Milgram as a legal advisor. Her favorite episodes, she said in the company’s promo piece, involved human trafficking cases in Mexico, where “there’s an enormous amount of trafficking” involving cartels. Today Milgram runs the Drug Enforcement Administration, a major mission of which, of course, is doing battle with Mexican cartels responsible for the tsunami of fentanyl, coke, heroin and, of course, illegal migrants flowing into the United States. "Every single day we're looking at where are the vulnerabilities for those cartels, for their networks, how can we target and attack them to dismantle them and defeat them," Milgram told 60 Minutes on Sunday. "And we are working tirelessly to stop this threat, and we're making progress. But there's so much more that needs to be done.” That’s for sure, judging by an astonishing report released Thursday by the Justice Department’s inspector general. According to the OIG, the DEA has hired hundreds of special agents and intelligence analysts who did not pass or complete their polygraph entrance examinations, but “who were nonetheless hired and/or allowed to operate on DEA-led task forces and foreign vetted units, in violation of DEA policies.” (Access here.)

    When the Kremlin Hides its Lethal Secrets in Plain Sight by Former NSA Counterintelligence Officer John Schindler - Top Secret Umbra, 24 Sep 24 (Member Contribution)

    This newsletter has published several deep-dive pieces about the so-called Havana Syndrome, what the U.S. Intelligence Community prefers to euphemistically term Anomalous Health Incidents. Just a few days ago, Top Secret Umbra’s latest analysis of AHIs established, based upon considerable evidence, that the Biden-Harris administration, through its intelligence bosses, since 2021 has engaged in an active cover-up to conceal from Congress and the American public that it knows the unpleasant reality lurking behind the Havana Syndrome. The difficult fact is that AHI is caused by a special weapon from Moscow. To refresh: The terrible truth is that, for many years, multiple hostile intelligence services have employed a Russian-designed and built acoustic directed energy weapon against Americans to harm and cripple them. The culprits are Russia’s Federal Security Service or FSB (for attacks inside or near Russia), the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff or GRU (for attacks further afield) and Cuba’s Dirección de Inteligencia or DI, a close Kremlin spy partner since the 1960s (many of the attacks in the Western Hemisphere, including inside the U.S., are the DI’s handiwork). (Access here.)

    48 Minutes With a Globetrotting Spy with Former DIA Officer Shawnee Delaney - Narratively, 25 Sep 24

    A detailed how-to on the fine art of escaping from duct-tape handcuffs? Check. The best lessons a future spy can learn by working at Disneyland? Check. A go-get-yours mantra that the Narratively team insists should be “stitched on a pillow”? Check. Check. Check. Shawnee Delaney, subject of Amy Bond’s recent story “The Secret Lives of a Military Spy Turned Corporate Spook,” did not disappoint during Narratively’s first-ever live-video chat yesterday. Watch her full conversation with Narratively founder Noah Rosenberg above. (Access here.)


    Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

    Ethical Espionage: Ethics and the Intelligence Cycle
    by Jan Goldman
    (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 15 Oct 24)

    Can spying ever be ethical? What role do ethics play in intelligence missions shrouded in secrecy? Can the end justify the means? Jan Goldman confronts these thorny questions as he charts the pitfalls and tensions inherent in each step of the intelligence cycle―from planning and collection to analysis and dissemination. Illustrated with numerous scenarios and case studies, this provocative text provides a comprehensive exploration of the ethical dilemmas that are an inescapable part of the intelligence process.

    Order book here.

    A Suspicion of Spies: Risk, Secrets and Shadows – the Biography of Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale
    by Tim Spicer
    (Barbrek Publishers, 12 Sep 23)

    1916, Russia. A 16-year-old Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale is working for his father, taking submarines from Vladivostok to St Petersburg for the Russian Imperial Navy. Wanting to take his duties further he takes a submarine out for sea trials along with a Naval dockyard crew. Spotting a group of German ships, he gives the order to attack, sinking four of them. On returning to Kronstadt, breaking free from an anti-submarine net after 18 hours on the ocean’s floor with just 30 minutes of oxygen left, he opens the hatch to find every gun in the port facing him and his crew. Fluent in Russian, he quickly defuses the situation. For this action he is awarded, by Tsar Nicholas II, the Order of St. Stanislav and the Order of St. Anne, imperial Russia’s highest knighthood for military valour and ‘bravery in battle’. Born in Odessa on Christmas Eve 1899, Biffy was destined from the outset for the world of intelligence. Engaged by Naval Intelligence aged 18 as an interpreter on account of his language skills – English, Russian, French, Polish and German, he would grow into everyone’s image of a buccaneering member of the British Secret Intelligence Service, in a career spanning forty years which Biffy described as ‘40 years of licensed thuggery.’ Biffy appears in over 60 books and websites and yet no one has ever written the whole story of his life. ‘He was rather like a ghost one knew was there but the apparition never stood still long enough for a clear view.’ Biffy was a lifelong friend of Ian Fleming and many have considered him to be the blueprint for Bond. There is likely some truth in this. The tales of action and intrigue found in this comprehensive biography could be taken straight from the pages of From Russia with Love, which Biffy acted as ‘consultant’ for. This is the true story of the complicated intrigues of the world of intelligence. It is what the British are good at and Biffy was one of the best.

    Order book here.

    Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator
    by Jung H. Pak
    (Ballantine Books, 28 Apr 20)

    When Kim Jong Un became the leader of North Korea following his father's death in 2011, predictions about his imminent fall were rife. North Korea was isolated, poor, unable to feed its people, and clinging to its nuclear program for legitimacy. Surely this twentysomething with a bizarre haircut and no leadership experience would soon be usurped by his elders. Instead, the opposite happened. Now in his midthirties, Kim Jong Un has solidified his grip on his country and brought the United States and the region to the brink of war. Still, we know so little about him—or how he rules. Enter former CIA analyst Jung Pak, whose brilliant Brookings Institution essay “The Education of Kim Jong Un” cemented her status as the go-to authority on the calculating young leader. From the beginning of Kim’s reign, Pak has been at the forefront of shaping U.S. policy on North Korea and providing strategic assessments for leadership at the highest levels in the government. Now, in this masterly book, she traces and explains Kim’s ascent on the world stage, from his brutal power-consolidating purges to his abrupt pivot toward diplomatic engagement that led to his historic—and still poorly understood—summits with President Trump. She also sheds light on how a top intelligence analyst assesses thorny national security problems: avoiding biases, questioning assumptions, and identifying risks as well as opportunities. In piecing together Kim’s wholly unique life, Pak argues that his personality, perceptions, and preferences are underestimated by Washington policy wonks, who assume he sees the world as they do. As the North Korean nuclear threat grows, Becoming Kim Jong Un gives readers the first authoritative, behind-the-scenes look at Kim’s character and motivations, creating an insightful biography of the enigmatic man who could rule the hermit kingdom for decades—and has already left an indelible imprint on world history.

    Order book here.

    True Intelligence Matters on Film - Declassified: The Untold Stories of American Spies, S3 E1 - Tracking Terror: The 9/11 Subway Plot - Domini Hofmann (2017)

    The NSA and FBI work together to thwart an Al-Qaeda terrorist plot to blow up the New York City subway on the Anniversary of 9/11.

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




    Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

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

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

    Section V - Obituaries and Classifieds

    (Research Requests, Academic Opportunities, Employment)

    Obituaries

    Thomas Forman — Decorated Military Counterintelligence Executive

    Thomas L. Forman of Fredericksburg, Virginia, passed away September 19, 2024, at the age of 69. Born in Rochester, New York, Tom's life-long commitment to the service of his country traces back to his decision to enlist in the United States Army following graduation from East Rochester High School in 1973. He began his career in the Military Intelligence Corps, where he went on to serve as a Counterintelligence Special Agent in both the Active and Army Reserve components until his military retirement in 2003 at the rank of CW4. In addition, Tom's civil service included various roles within the federal government related to counterintelligence, national security and emergency management, before his retirement in 2013 as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). All told, Tom's military and civil service spanned over 40 years, and included involvement in the Vietnam War, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and the immediate response to the attacks on September 11, 2001, including Operation Enduring Freedom. His civilian and military decorations, medals and awards include the National Defense Service Medal with a Bronze Star Attachment, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Director's Award for Excellence from the Office of Personnel Management and numerous other commendations, medals and awards. In addition to earning his Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification, he was also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, along with other military, counterintelligence and national security programs. While the list of Tom's professional accomplishments span decades of public service, his greatest achievement, for which he was always proudest, was his role as a husband and father.

    Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

    • Call for Information: Child of former CIA Commo Officer Walter E. MacLeod seeks information on her father's life and work to help build a better understanding of the family's history. MacLeod EODed in 1951 and served in Saipan, Havana, WTC, Caracas, Jakarta, Saigon, Paris, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Bangkok. He retired in 1975. If you have information to share, contact Kathy MacLeod katherinemacleod@gmail.com.
    • Call for Intelligence Studies Course Syllabi: An adjunct professor in the criminology department at Florida International University in Miami is developing a course in intelligence studies for the school and would welcome the opportunity to review syllabi used by other intel studies teachers. If you have a syllabus that you are willing to share, contact Salvador Rivas at salvador.rivas@fiu.edu or (786) 547-0428.
    • Call for Articles and Book Reviews: The ODNI at 20 Years - Special Issue of the American Intelligence Journal, Fall 2024. Addressing the theme directly will ensure a higher priority of acceptance, but manuscripts on other intelligence/national security-related topics will be considered. Please submit a simple Word Document, Times New Roman font (12-point text, 10-point notes). Citations can be footnotes or endnotes; double-spaced text; single spaced notes but double-spaced between entries; do not indent the first line of each paragraph of text, which should be formatted flush to the left margin. Articles should be 3,000-8,000 words, not counting notes; this can be waived only by permission of the editor and the criteria for waivers include the complexity of the topic, timeliness, and space available. For book reviews, publication dates should be no older than 2 years. Book reviews should be 800- 2,000 words; footnotes are not required or expected, but a few are acceptable. Longer reviews will be accepted if the reviewer can compare and contrast a new book with one or two other books on the same subject; these are considered "review essays," and will be listed as such in the table of contents. The journal editor is Dr. Chris Bailey; if you have an interest in writing a review, he will forward to you more detailed guidance in an Editor's Note titled "What Makes for a Great Book Review?" published in the "In My View" section of AIJ, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2020. For questions and the full Author's Guidelines, please contact Dr. Christopher Bailey at christopher.e.bailey@odni.gov or christopherbailey286@yahoo.com. 15 Oct 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Papers: Gender in the Security Sectors of the Indo-Pacific Region - Special Issue of the Journal Policing, Intelligence, and Counterterrorism. Sexism, misogyny and gender bias remain pervasive issues within the security sectors throughout the Indo-Pacific, undermining the effectiveness and equity of policing, intelligence and counter-terrorism efforts. Recent studies on women's roles in the security sector have concluded that women face barriers due to institutional sexism and gender biases. Despite the critical roles women play, their contributions often go unrecognized, and they continue to be underrepresented in decision-making roles while facing systemic barriers that limit their participation and advancement. This special issue will highlight the need to investigate how gender impacts the logic and structures of thinking that shape practices, policymaking and knowledge-production within the security sector. We encourage the submission of scholarly research papers, as well as forum pieces (i.e., notes from the field, reviews, autobiographies, collective accounts and other forms of contemplation) on issues surrounding the preservation of gendered stereotypes, biases, and sexism within the security industries. We particularly encourage submissions from female early career researchers, established scholars and practitioners within the security sector from across the Indo-Pacific region that analyse these issues. Works submitted can have a theoretical, empirical, or practical focus. More information and submission instructions here. 31 Oct 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Papers: African Intelligence in the Post-Colonial Era, 1960-present - Special Issue of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. Africa is the second most populous continent. Unfortunately, this continent's intelligence community is one of the most underexamined. To fill this gap, this issue will explore any country within the continent's intelligence service and its relationship to the military, society, and external relations with partnerships with foreign governments, non-government organizations, and international organizations. The editors are particularly interested in submissions that focus on the intentionality of African governments and their security and intelligence services' efforts to redefine the nature and functions of institutions and the environment in which they operate. They are also interested in the nature and dynamics of non-state actor intelligence, including the role of sub-state actors and private security and intelligence entities. Submissions should focus on African governments, non-state actors, individuals, and institutions as the drivers of continuity, change, and innovation within specific historical, social, political, and/or economic contexts. More information and submission instructions here. 01 Nov 24 Deadline.
    • Call for Interviews: Kingston Trinder is a Los Angeles-based nonfiction author and documentary film and television executive who is seeking extraordinary true, untold, stories featuring unforgettable characters, and unbelievable narrative arcs. He develops compelling factual storytelling with a variety of international publishing houses and television networks, and is in search of primary source material from former intelligence officers about their lives, specific cases or projects that they can get cleared for discussion, or other aspects of working in the shadows that would be informative and entertaining for readers who live outside of that world. Please email hello@kingstontrinder.com or call (323) 570-5715.
    • Call for Information: Farewell Dossier. As noted in Peter Oleson's article (The Intelligencer, Vol. 29, No. 1, Winter/Spring 2024) on the Farewell Dossier case, there is controversy about the alleged explosion of the Siberian gas pipeline. One AFIO member is investigating the issue and would like to hear from anyone who was involved in the affair and willing to comment. Please email peter.oleson@afio.com.
    • 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 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 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 1980s/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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    AFIO Events

    04 Oct 24, 1100 (ET) - McLean VA In-Person - AFIO National Fall Luncheon: Speakers - J.J. Green, National Security Correspondent, WTOP; Mark Kelton, Former Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service for Counterintelligence (DDNCS/CI) - Registration closed.

    Morning speaker starts 11 a.m.: J.J. Green, National Security Correspondent, WTOP
    Afternoon speaker starts 1 p.m.: Mark Kelton, Former Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service for Counterintelligence (DDNCS/CI)    . Schedule: Lunch served noon to 1 p.m. Event ends at 2:00 p.m.

    Cancellation Schedule: AFIO must commit to the hotel facilities and regrets it must charge a cancellation fee. No cancellations with refund after 21 September. Any cancellations 21 September to date of event will be converted to donation to AFIO. Cancellations after 27 September are not donations because your meal has been guaranteed at hotel per event contract. Thank you for your understanding. All attendees must be members of AFIO or accompanied by a current member. For security reasons, we are unable to accept late or last minute substitutions for non-attendance or changes in your guests.

    Questions regarding this event to events@afio.com

    08 Nov 2024, 1130 (ET) - In Person - AFIO San Francisco hosts Army Reserve Foreign Area Officer (FAO) LTC Tomio "Tomes" Toyama, who will discuss his most recent deployment to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan while serving in the Office of the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) as Deputy Director for Operations and lead Training Advisor to the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF). USSC is a unique US-led multinational organization staffed primarily by military personnel serving under State Department foreign relations authorities and funding. No-host cocktails 11:30am, meeting starts at 12. Location: Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco. RSVP here. Address questions to Mariko Kawaguchi via email.

    Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

    5 October 2024, 2p-4p: Vintage Espionage, a wine tasting with an espionage twist hosted by former CIA officers. Enjoy two hours of spies, sips and stories, where secrets and wine collide. Your sommelier for the afternoon, known only as DECANTER/1 (C/1) lived and served around the world. She's an expert in relationship building and persuasion and guides you through a blind tasting of old-world and new-world wines - six wines total. Along the way enjoy stories from a life on the front lines of intelligence operations from C/1 and Spyher Founder Rosanna Minchew. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply love intrigue, Vintage Espionage promises an afternoon you won't want to miss. We're especially excited to host this event at a The Grange historic schoolhouse built in 1889, a perfect venue for a pop-up speakeasy! Book here and use promo code SPYHERWINEFRIENDS for a $15 discount. Use this Eventbrite link to sign up.
    Location: 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066.

    24 Oct 24, 1700-1900 (ET) - In-Person - George Mason University, VA - The Evolution of Espionage and Spycraft. H. Keith Melton, historical advisor to intelligence agencies, author, owner of the world’s largest collection of espionage devices and equipment, and a founding member of the International Spy Museum’s Board of Directors, will be our speaker for the first in our new Intelligence History Speaker Series hosted by George Mason University Libraries and the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). Nations have engaged in spying for centuries, seeking to gain strategic advantages over their rivals by gathering crucial information on military capabilities, political intentions, and economic developments. Mr. Melton will take us on a journey of discovery from the roots of espionage in ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, and Rome to the medieval and Renaissance periods, through the emergence of code-breaking and secret communication techniques, and into the 20th century where major technological advances transformed espionage into a more sophisticated and organized enterprise. Your discovery of the world of intelligence rarely depicted in modern media does not have to stop at the end of the evening. The Hayden B. Peake Historical Intelligence Collection of over 10,000 publications documenting both historical and fictional accounts of intelligence from Elizabeth I to the present at the SCRC is available to researchers, scholars, and students. Location: Fenwick Library, Reading Room, 2nd Floor, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030. More information and registation here.

    Wednesday, 24 October 2024, 5 - 7 p.m. - In-Person Hanover, MD - NCF & INSF 3rd Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers event. Please join the NCF & INSF [National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) & Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF)] for the 3rd Annual Cocktails & Codebreakers event
    We are pleased to announce that this year's program will feature a Fireside Chat with Gen Timothy D. Haugh, USAF, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service and a special presentation by Mr. Montel Williams, military veteran/retired cryptologic officer (US Marines & Navy), actor, and motivational speaker. We are also grateful to welcome journalist Mr. Steve Scully as moderator for the Fireside Chat. Learn about our speakers & view the draft agenda or...
    REGISTER HERE.
    Location: The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, 7795 Arundel Mills Boulevard, Hanover, Maryland 21076
    Registration Fee: $225. A selection of sponsorships are still available.
    This October 24th event will celebrate Men & Women in Cryptology.
    If you missed our previous Cocktails & Codebreakers programs - you can view recaps & photos of 2023 and 2022.
    Questions? Email ncfinfo@cryptologicfoundation.org

    30 Apr - 02 May 2025 – In Person – Cryptologic History Symposium - National Cryptological Foundation and NSA Center for Cryptologic History, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland

    Since 1990, the Cryptologic History Symposium has served as an opportunity to present historical scholarship found in unclassified and declassified cryptologic records and engage in discussion about their significance to history. The event is an occasion for historians and those interested in history to gather for reflection and debate on relevant and important topics from the cryptologic past. Regular speakers include historians from CCH, the Intelligence Community, the defense establishment, the military services, scholars from American and international academic institutions, veterans of the cryptologic profession, graduate and undergraduate students, and noted authors. Past symposia have featured scholarship that set out new ways to consider our cryptologic heritage. The conference provides many opportunities to interact with leading historians and other experts. The mix of practitioners, scholars, and interested observers guarantees a lively debate that promotes an enhanced appreciation for past events and their applicability to current and future issues. More information and registration here.

    30 Aug - 8 Sep 2025 - Mediterranean Cruise - Spies, Lies & Nukes announce Espionage on the High Seas! Plan NOW to join the late-summer 2025 cruise. Instead of their traditional Spies, Lies & Nukes conference in 2024, Valerie Plame and other intelligence colleagues are thrilled to introduce an exciting variation for 2025: Spies at Sea. A combined cruise and conference through the breathtaking Mediterranean, from August 30 to September 8, 2025! See brochure here.
    What to Expect:
    • Intimate Conference Setting: Enjoy the same close-knit, engaging environment you've come to expect, with unparalleled access to our expert speakers.
    • Exclusive Shore Excursions: Explore clandestine meeting spots, delve into espionage history, and more on excursions EXCLUSIVE TO OUR GROUP.
    • Seminars at Sea: Participate in lectures and presentations led by Valerie Plame and other top intelligence professionals, all the while cruising through some of the Mediterranean's most iconic destinations.
    • Special Events: Enjoy exclusive cocktail receptions, surprise activities, and one-on-one conversation time.
    Exclusive Spies, Lies & Nukes Itinerary Highlights:
    • Barcelona, Spain: Begin your adventure in this vibrant city.
    • Valletta, Malta: Walk through history with guided tours led by espionage experts who will lift the veil on area spy stories and meeting sites.
    • Mykonos, Greece: Discover the charm and beauty of this picturesque island.
    • Ephesus, Turkey: Explore ancient ruins with a private guide and enjoy a unique group lunch, all while learning about intelligence activities that took place at each spot.
    • Santorini, Greece: Experience the iconic beauty of Santorini with endless photographic opportunities.
    • Naples, Italy: Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant and an exclusive walking tour with a private guide while learning a few spy secrets from Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.
    We've secured a discounted rate that includes your stateroom, meals, classic beverage package, wi-fi, exclusive excursions, and all conference activities. These cabins will get booked quickly, so don't wait—book now and get $100 off! This is your chance to combine professional enrichment with an unforgettable travel experience. Network with like-minded professionals, gain exclusive insights, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Secure Your Spot Today.

    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.
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    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.





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

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



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

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

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

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