Weekly Intelligence Notes

01 - 07 January 2025
(Issue 01)

CONTENTS

Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)

General Interests

• Syria’s new intelligence chief, Khattab, tied to Turkey’s spy agency, MIT - Nordic, 02 Jan 25
• Israel prepares next generation of spies for Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies - All Israel, 04 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Who is spying on Serbian citizens and what does China have to do with it? - Vino, 03 Jan 24 (Member Contribution)
• Ex-CIA officer says agency covered up Havana syndrome attacks - Washington Times, 03 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• Suspected Chinese underwater spy drone found by fishermen in waters off the Philippines - CBS News, 02 Jan 25
• 2024 Espionage Review: How China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Ethiopia Targeted U.S. Security - Clearance Jobs, 01 Jan 25

Special Collections

• Counterespionage - Arrests, convictions, expulsions, and more...
• Cyberespionage - New actors, collection and sabotage ops, countermeasures, policy, other...
• Covert Action - Influence ops, assassinations, sabotage, intel agency paramilitary action, countermeasures, etcetera...

• How Jimmy Carter Used the CIA and NSA to Forge Middle East Peace - Washington Monthly, 31 Dec 24
• Chen Yixin: Advancing MSS Counterintelligence Ops and Foreign Liaison Relations - Grey Dynamics, 05 Jan 25
• Smart Ports – Maritime Intelligence’s Blind Spot - US Naval Institute, 31 Dec 24
• Exploitation of psychological processes in information influence operations - Psychological Defence Research Institute, Lund University, 31 Dec 24
• Documents Found After the Fall of Assad Show Syrian Intelligence Spying on Journalists - Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, 27 Dec 24
• Commercially sourced intelligence: friend or foe? - Intelligence and National Security, 24 Dec 24

• In China and North Korea, Trump’s Personal Diplomacy Might Work - by Former CIA Executive Joseph DeTrani, Cipher Brief, 03 Jan 25
• STARMEN - A spy novel cum literary experiment on magical realism - by Former U.S. Army Security Agency Officer and AFIO Member Francis Hamit, Amazon, 21 Feb 24
• FBI Releases NOLA Killer's Recordings (12 mins) - by Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker, The President's Daily Brief Podcast, 06 Jan 25
• The Goldilocks Strategy: Unpacking the Biden Legacy in Ukraine (38 mins) - with Former CIA Executive Marc Polymeropolous, Above Average Intelligence Podcast, 06 Jan 25
• Inside the President's Daily Brief (42 mins) - with Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and Former CIA COO Andrew Makridis, Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch Podcast, 01 Jan 25

Books: (Forthcoming, New Releases, Overlooked)

• Leadership Wisdom: Interviews with CIA Executives by Mike Mears (02 Jan 25)


• Women Warriors: The Hidden Spies of WWII by Donna Pedace (31 Jul 24)


• Thatcher’s Spy: My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin Willie Carlin (30 Aug 21)

True Intelligence Matters on Film: The Pigeon Tunnel - Errol Morris (2023)

Intelligence in Pop Culture: No Such Puzzle: National Thesaurus Day Heterographosynonyms - NSA, 04 Dec 24

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)

Obituaries

Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

• Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals.
• Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programme at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programme: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025.
• Information Sought: 1969 "KGB Wanted List"
• Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks help establishing YouTube channel focused on Russian and Chinese influence operations.
• Internship Opportunity: International private intelligence company accepting applications for analyst internship program.
• Call for Information: Child of former CIA 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 Interviews: Documentary film executive seeking extraordinary, true story material.
• Call for Online Survey Participants: Institution Review Board approved research project from Northeastern University on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts.
• Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era.

Employment

• Assistant Professor in Intelligence and National Security Studies - University of Texas, El Paso
• 2 Assistant Professors in Intelligence and Security - Institute of Security and Global Affairs, University of Leiden, Netherlands
• Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies - Mercyhurst University - Erie, Pennsylvania
• Associate Professor and Chair of National Security - University of New Haven, Connecticut
• Wanted: Former intelligence officers to lead spy-themed walking tours in Washington, D.C. - Spyher Tours
• Assistant Professor - Intelligence Studies - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Arizona

Upcoming AFIO Events

• 14 Jan 25, 0900-1130 (PST) - Presentation by Former Secretary of Defense General Jim Mattis - In Person - San Francisco - AFIO San Francisco Chapter

Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

• 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.

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.

- RELEASED TODAY TO MEMBERS ONLY -

Patrick O'Donnell
Military Historian and Author
on his new book, released 07 May 24:

The Unvanquished
The Untold Story of Lincoln's Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby's Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America's Special Operations

Recorded: 03 September 2024
Interviewer: AFIO President James Hughes
Duration: 32 minutes.

"The Unvanquished" can be purchased here.

- ALSO RELEASED TODAY TO MEMBERS ONLY -

WIN Short-form Book Review
(January 2025)

Jennifer Ewbank
Former Deputy Director of CIA
for Digital Innovation

reviews

Subversion: From Covert
Operations to Cyber Conflict

by Lennart Maschmeyer
(March 2024)

Access review here.

AFIO Exclusive Content

AFIO Now Podcasts Presents:

Joseph Keogh PhD,
former CIA S&T Executive and Disguise Expert
on his new book:

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

co-authored with Joe Ball and Greg Moore.

Recorded: 24 Oct 24
Host: James Hughes, AFIO President and former Senior CIA Ops Officer
Interviewer: Christopher J. Parker, former CIA Officer.

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":

AFIO Now interviews, video and audio-only forms, in 2024 and 2023, 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.

Spyher Winter Savings
Thru 15 March 2025
$15 off and 2-for-1 deals
Book now on Eventbrite

Spyher Gift Cards
Give the Gift of an Exclusive Spy History Tour with a Former Intelligence Officer
Purchase an e-gift card online at https://spyher.co/gift-card/
For a physical gift card - a perfect stocking stuffer - contact rosanna@spyher.co

Section I - CURRENTS

(Recent Developments)

General Interests

Syria’s new intelligence chief, Khattab, tied to Turkey’s spy agency, MIT - Nordic, 02 Jan 25

Anas Hasan Khattab, the newly appointed 38-year-old director of Syria’s General Intelligence Service (Al-Mukhabarat al-Amma, GIS), has maintained a close relationship with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı, MIT), dating back to his time overseeing al-Qaeda operations in Syria. Despite being designated a terrorist by the United States in 2012 for his ties to the al-Nusra Front and sanctioned under the UN Security Council’s al-Qaeda sanctions list in September 2014, Khattab’s case reveals Turkey’s covert defiance of the UN resolution and disregard for the designation by the US, its key NATO ally. Khattab was recruited by MIT’s Special Operations Directorate (Özel Operasyonlar Başkanlığı), under the leadership of Kemal Eskintan, a former military officer known to jihadist groups by the nom de guerre of Abu Furqan. As the head of the department, Eskintan played a key role in Turkey’s covert operations to support armed jihadist factions throughout the Middle East and Africa, some of which closely aligned with the political objectives of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. (Read more here.)

Israel prepares next generation of spies for Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies - All Israel, 04 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

Israel’s military successes against its adversaries have always depended on maintaining a strategic edge in intelligence capabilities. Looking to the future, the Jewish state is already preparing the next generation of operatives for its two primary intelligence agencies, the Mossad and Shin Bet. Israel has been identifying promising talent at an early age. Odem, an elite spy program for students as young as ninth grade, is jointly run by the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Israeli military, the Ministry of Education, the Mossad (Israel's foreign intelligence agency), and Shin Bet security (Israel's domestic intelligence agency). Described as "the jewel of leadership in the technological arena," Odem is designed to equip Israel with the next generation of future top-notch spies and intelligence operatives. (Read more here.)

Who is spying on Serbian citizens and what does China have to do with it? - Vino, 03 Jan 24 (Member Contribution)

On August 25, 2000, a dark event occurred in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade: Ivan Stambolic, former president of the Socialist Republic of Serbia, disappeared. His body was found in 2003, 60 kilometers from where he disappeared, and the perpetrators of the murder evaded detection. History is turning into a symbol of the state's inability to ensure justice for the regime's victims. Years later, the situation in Serbia remains similar. Modern technologies have provided the authorities with new tools for control – the spy programs “Regasus” and “Redator”. Civic activists and opposition politicians are increasingly becoming victims of digital surveillance organized by the state through intermediaries. (Full article here.)

Ex-CIA officer says agency covered up Havana syndrome attacks - Washington Times, 03 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

A former CIA officer who says she was attacked by some type of foreign energy weapon is charging the CIA with covering up the attacks. The medically retired CIA officer, identified only as “Alice” because of her past agency work in Africa, revealed that she still suffers debilitating injuries after hearing a strange sound in her home in 2021, resulting in what the federal government is vaguely describing as an “anomalous health incident,” or AHI. The malady, however, is known widely as Havana syndrome by the hundreds of U.S. diplomats, intelligence personnel and military members who say they have been afflicted after being posted overseas. An FBI agent also reported suffering head injuries from some type of energy device attack in the United States. (Full article here.)

Suspected Chinese underwater spy drone found by fishermen in waters off the Philippines - CBS News, 02 Jan 25

A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday, warning of "potential national security implications." Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around six miles off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said. The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets. China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. The yellow drone marked "HY-119" was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon told AFP. (Access here.)

2024 Espionage Review: How China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Ethiopia Targeted U.S. Security - Clearance Jobs, 01 Jan 25

A variety of adversaries brought espionage and intrigue to the United States in the year 2024, and we may safely assume such will continue to be the case. Once again, the primary nation states taking the adversarial role were China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. They were successful in penetrating national infrastructure, stealing intellectual property, and compromising individuals. The Department of Justice (DoJ) and other arms of government, to include the FBI, CISA, DHS, and the ODNI, as well as private enterprises, all contributed to compromising these covert activities. Some were brought to justice; others were neutralized and some continued to abscond. (Access here.)

Special Collections

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

• Espionage in Guam: FBI accuses South Korean of financing North Korea JoongAng Daily, 02 Jan 25
• DKRO: The Russian FSB’s Counterintelligence Arm Grey Dynamics, 03 Jan 25
• What is China's Spy Agency Talking About This Week? (January 3, 2025) - The Spy Hunter, 03 Jan 25
• Spy Scandal: 12 Espionage Rings Linked to Iran Dismantled in Israel - Regtech Timesu, 05 Jan 25
• Three Russian-German Nationals Charged with Suspicion of Secret Service Agent Activity - Security Affairs, 02 Jan 25
• Arrests over Iran spy plots in Israel surged 400% in 2024, Shin Bet reveals - Iran International, 02 Jan 25

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

• GCHQ is hiring teenage hackers to take on China and others- The Stack, 02 Jan 25
• U.S. Sanctions Reveal Chinese Cyber Espionage Tactics - CISO Marketplace, 05 Jan 25
• The Typhoon of PRC state sponsored cyber-attacks - Asia Crime Century, 05 Jan 24
• New Windows Security Warning As Russian Cyberattacks Confirmed - Forbes, 31 Dec 24
• Japan and U.S. to start joint AI cyberattack research - Nikkei Asia, 03 Jan 25

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

• Taiwan reportedly claims China-linked ship damaged one of its submarine cables - The Register, 06 Jan 25
• Russia’s FSB thwarts bomb attack in Yekaterinburg city, detains four - Straits Times, 04 Jan 25
• China Covert Action: Canadian Election Interference - Grey Dynamics, 02 Jan 25
• Report claims India behind ‘methodical’ assassination campaign deep inside Pakistan - Intel News, 02 Jan 25
• Baltic subsea sabotage: China gets away with non-cooperation - Australia Strategic Policy Institute, 30 Dec 24

Section II - DEEP DIVES

(Research Papers, OpEds, Analysis, Podcasts)

How Jimmy Carter Used the CIA and NSA to Forge Middle East Peace - Washington Monthly, 31 Dec 24

In Walter Mondale’s posthumous eulogy for Jimmy Carter, published yesterday by The New York Times, he summed up the record of their administration: “We told the truth, we obeyed the law, and we kept the peace.” It sounds so simple. But how they kept the peace—or more precisely, forged peace between Israel and Egypt—required actions more morally nebulous than simple truth-telling and law-obeying. Rarely emphasized in the history of the Camp David Accords is Carter’s use of the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency to perform clandestine surveillance on Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in advance of their historic three-way summit. I’ll share more of that story. But first, here’s what else the Washington Monthly is offering in remembrance of Jimmy Carter: (Access here.)

Chen Yixin: Advancing MSS Counterintelligence Ops and Foreign Liaison Relations - Grey Dynamics, 05 Jan 25

In the two short years since Chen Yixin’s appointment as Ministry of State Security (MSS) minister, he has modernized the organization’s approach to counterintelligence by leveraging social media, the public, and diplomatic relations. He has also overseen the expansion of intelligence relationships with other nations’ security services. Chen’s honing of the MSS approach to counterespionage, especially inside China, is fueling suspicions of foreigners and foreign interactions and, as a result, may further stress already tense diplomatic relations, especially with Taiwan and the US. Chen has over forty years of experience in policy and government. He also has demonstrated ties with Xi Jinping and supports changes to the policies currently followed for state security. His main focuses in this role include combating corruption, improving security and counterintelligence mechanisms, and ensuring the national security of China today and for years to come. (Access here.)

Smart Ports – Maritime Intelligence’s Blind Spot - US Naval Institute, 31 Dec 24

Innovative technologies are transforming commercial shipping through the development of smart ports. These are without doubt the ports of the future—they will revolutionize the maritime industry through increased efficiency in shipping and pier-side services. But smart ports pose numerous threats to maritime security and the Maritime Transportation System, while the technologies that make them possible also introduce new operational and strategic challenges to Naval and Coast Guard Intelligence. These concerns deserve far more scrutiny and discussion than they have received. (Access here.)

Exploitation of psychological processes in information influence operations - Psychological Defence Research Institute, Lund University, 31 Dec 24

We live in a turbulent information environment characterized by untrustworthy information in various forms. These include not only written texts but also images and videos, each contributing to the challenge of discerning fact from fiction. However, disinformation and propaganda are not new phenomena; they have been part of human communication for millennia. What sets the current situation apart is the impact of digitalization, particularly through the internet and social media, which accelerates the spread of disinformation, allowing it to reach a global audience. More recently, artificial intelligence is becoming a significant player in this landscape. AI applications, such as large language models like ChatGPT, are likely to reshape how information is created, shared, and consumed. (Access here.)

Documents Found After the Fall of Assad Show Syrian Intelligence Spying on Journalists - Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, 27 Dec 24

Less than two months before the sudden collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, it was business as usual at the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) — and that included spying on journalists. In particular, the intelligence agency was looking into Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ), according to documents discovered at GID headquarters after rebel groups took power on December 8. SIRAJ is a collective of journalists who have been publishing stories exposing corruption and human rights abuses under the Assad regime since 2019. But the GID documents show that the agency had concocted a sinister theory about them. “The mentioned platform is merely a front for espionage activities, gathering information and connecting (with) sources to collect intelligence about Syria’s military and security institutions at various levels,” one document reads. (Full article here.)

Commercially sourced intelligence: friend or foe? - Intelligence and National Security, 24 Dec 24

Commercially sourced intelligence (CSINT) is rapidly gaining importance due to attributes such as variety, availability, flexibility, and cost. While its usage is well-documented, this article offers the first systematic academic study of CSINT. We highlight its usability across three vital domains: satellite imagery, personal information, and geolocation, and identify four driving trends that reshape the relationship between state and commercial entities: privatization of security, proliferation of cyber power, multinationalism, and artificial intelligence. As CSINT’s relevance grows, it is likely to profoundly contribute to digitalized state surveillance, but increased adoption also presents challenges to intelligence services’ democratic legitimacy and accountability. (Access here.)

Section III - FORMERS' FORUM

(Legacy Intel Practitioners' Informed Perspectives
and Recent Endeavors)

In China and North Korea, Trump’s Personal Diplomacy Might Work - by Former CIA Executive Joseph DeTrani, Cipher Brief, 03 Jan 25

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the inauguration on January 20th. With this invitation, it appears that Trump is making it clear that he is prepared to personally engage with adversaries and competitors, as he does with allies and partners. Trump did this during his first term with North Korea’s Kim Jung-Un. After a tense 2017, in which President Trump threatened to unleash “fire and fury” against North Korea, he met with Mr. Kim in Singapore in 2018, resulting in a Joint Statement that spoke of transforming relations with North Korea in return for complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the return of the remains of Americans killed during the Korean War. The subsequent Hanoi Summit, in February 2019, ended early when Mr. Kim was not prepared to acknowledge his highly enriched uranium sites for nuclear weapons. That June, however, President Trump visited the demilitarized zone [DMZ] dividing North and South and briefly stepped into North Korea – the only sitting president to enter North Korea – a gesture that was followed by an hour-long substantive meeting in the Freedom House at the DMZ. Later, Trump said, “I think meeting here, two countries that have a hostile past, we are showcasing to the world that we have a new present.” (Access here.)

STARMEN - A spy novel cum literary experiment on magical realism - by Former U.S. Army Security Agency Officer and AFIO Member Francis Hamit, Amazon, 21 Feb 24

This Pulitzer Prize - nominated novel begins at the El Paso branch of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in 1875 when the budding Anthropologist George James Frazer needs help contacting a local Apache tribe and a huge hot air balloon appears over the town. It is owned by the British Ethnographic Survey which is up to no good. Frazer infiltrates the Apaches and discovers that Apache witches can fly. The Pinkertons have a few witches of their own. Two Pinkertons go in search of bad men wanted "Dead or Alive" and a missing heir from a wealthy Chicago family and discover a very unusual town that is playing host to some very unusual gun fighters. Other complications ensue. The result is an action-packed, mind bending adventure with romance and political elements...and some Quantum Mechanics and String Theory. (Order book here.)

FBI Releases NOLA Killer's Recordings (12 mins) - by Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker, The President's Daily Brief Podcast, 06 Jan 25

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, an update on the ISIS-inspired New Orleans terror attack, as the FBI releases video recordings from the killer that show him surveying the site of the attack some two months before his murderous rampage. Then, we’ll turn to North Korea, where Kim Jong Un is kicking off the new year with a test of an intermediate-range ballistic missile with suspected hypersonic capabilities. (Access here.)

The Goldilocks Strategy: Unpacking the Biden Legacy in Ukraine (38 mins) - with Former CIA Executive Marc Polymeropolous, Above Average Intelligence Podcast, 06 Jan 25

As President Biden prepares to leave office, one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of his administration remains unresolved: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Professor of Strategic Studies and historian Dr. Philips O’Brien joins Marc Polymeropoulos to discuss the successes and failures of Biden’s policy in Ukraine, the challenges that remain, and more.  (Access here.)

Inside the President's Daily Brief (42 mins) - with Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and Former CIA COO Andrew Makridis, Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch Podcast, 01 Jan 25

Michael revisits his conversation with Andy about their unique experiences as CIA briefers for President George W. Bush. They share behind-the-scenes stories of preparing the President’s Daily Brief, navigating high-stakes national security discussions, and managing the delicate balance of delivering tough truths. (Access here.)

Section IV - BOOKS, FILM, HISTORY, POP CULTURE

Leadership Wisdom: Interviews with CIA Executives
by Mike Mears
(02 Jan 25)

What can the world’s most complex intelligence organization teach us about leadership? How do leaders excel in high-stakes environments where every decision counts? This isn’t just another leadership guide—it’s a deep dive into the strategies and lessons of retired CIA executives who led with purpose, resilience, and vision. Discover how these hidden heroes created lasting legacies in an environment of relentless pressure and high stakes. Here’s what you’ll uncover in this insightful book: Leadership in action: The decision-making and people-first principles that shaped the CIA’s success. Timeless lessons: How exceptional leaders inspire trust, manage crises, and build effective teams. Insights from the inside: Go behind the scenes to understand what drives ethical and transformative leadership. Practical strategies: Proven techniques to foster resilience, innovation, and growth in your leadership journey. Whether you're a seasoned leader, an aspiring manager, or simply curious about thriving under pressure, Leadership Wisdom offers the tools to transform challenges into opportunities.

Order book here.

Women Warriors: The Hidden Spies of WWII
by Donna Pedace
(31 Jul 24)

This book tells the stories of the 50 female agents trained and sent into France by SOE. They were a widely diverse group of women by age, education, economic background, and motivation. But all had the goal of freeing France from German occupation. Of the 50 women who went to France, eleven (11) were executed while prisoners in concentration camps, and two (2) died of disease in the camps. Others were captured and tortured but survived the war. All showed incredible courage, and Nazi records show that not one of the captured women gave the Germans any classified information – even when they faced a certain death. Women Warriors – The Hidden Spies of WWII is an unforgettable collection of wartime exploits by heroines like Virginia Hall, Pearl Witherington, and Noor Inayat Khan. Their patriotism, courage, ingenuity, and sacrifice were indispensable in working with Resistance movements to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in Nazi-held territory. Readers will be awed by the accomplishments of this extraordinary group of patriots and humbled by their sacrifices.

Order book here.

Thatcher’s Spy: My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin
by Willie Carlin
(Merrion Press, 30 Aug 21)

Early one morning in March 1985, as he climbed the six steps of Margaret Thatcher’s prime-ministerial jet on the runway of RAF Aldergrove, little did Willie Carlin know the role Freddie Scappaticci played in saving his life. So began the dramatic extraction of Margaret Thatcher’s key undercover agent in Sinn Fein—Willie Carlin, aka Agent 3007. For 11 years the former British soldier worked alongside former IRA commander Martin McGuinness in the republican movement’s political wing in Derry. He was MI5’s man at McGuinness’ side and gave the British State unprecedented insight into the IRA leader’s strategic thinking. Carlin worked with McGuinness to develop Sinn Fein’s election strategy after the 1981 hunger strike, and the MI5 and later FRU agent’s reports on McGuinness, Adams, and other republicans were read by the British Cabinet, including Margaret Thatcher herself. When Carlin’s cover was blown in mid-1985 thanks to one of his old MI5 handlers being jailed as a Soviet spy, Thatcher authorised the use of her jet to whisk him to safety. Incredibly, it was another British ‘super spy’ inside the IRA’s secretive counter-intelligence unit, the ‘nuttin’ squad,’ who saved Carlin’s life. The Derry man is perhaps the only person alive thanks to the information provided by the ‘jewel in the crown’ of British military intelligence—Freddie Scappaticci aka "Steakknife." In Thatcher’s Spy, the Cold War meets Northern Ireland’s Dirty War in the remarkable real-life story of a deep under-cover British intelligence agent, a man now doomed forever to look over his shoulder. . .

Order book here.

True Intelligence Matters on Film - The Pigeon Tunnel - Errol Morris (2023)

Spans six decades as le Carré gives his final and most personal interview, interrupted with rare archival footage and dramatic anecdotes. It is set against the stormy Cold War backdrop that extends into the present day.

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

Intelligence in Pop Culture - No Such Puzzle: National Thesaurus Day Heterographosynonyms - NSA, 04 Dec 24

For each #NoSuchPuzzle in January, we provide a sentence with two words removed. The two words are heterographs (words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently) for two synonyms (words that mean the same). We provide the lengths of the removed words. Find the two removed words.

Access puzzle here.

Intelligence in History - A Collection of Recently Released Content

• Walter Krivitsky - CODENAME - WALTER - Born Samuel Ginsberg...Was he suicided? - Shadows and Secrets, 04 Jan 25
• CIA memorial Wall — STAR 21 : Walter R. Ray (Hanksville, Utah – January 5, 1967) - Intel Today, 05 Jan 25
• US-Italian Intelligence Cooperation and Operation Gladio (41 mins) - Eye Spy Podcast, 01 Jan 25
• The World’s Most Bizarre Secret Weapons: How Pigeons, Cats, Whales and Even Robotic Catfish Have Acted as Spies Through the Ages - Homeland Security News Wire, 31 Dec 24
• Boeing’s B-47 Stratojet Goes Cold War Spying: The story of the RB-47 - The Aviationist, 01 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)
• 'She believed you have to take sides': How Audrey Hepburn became a secret spy during World War Two - BBC, 01 Jan 25 (Member Contribution)

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

Burton L. Gerber — Legendary CIA Case Officer

Burton L. Gerber, who as an operations officer for the CIA pushed for greater risk-taking in spying against the Soviet Union, and who later as the agency’s chief of station in Moscow managed one of the most productive espionage operations undertaken by the United States in the Cold War, died Jan. 2 under hospice care at home in Washington. He was 91. The cause was congestive heart failure, said Stephen Gerber, his nephew. Mr. Gerber, a lanky Midwesterner who spoke bluntly and was a demanding taskmaster, mentored dozens of CIA case officers over the years. He schooled them in the mental skills and critical methods of espionage, from recruiting agents to surveillance detection runs, from dead drops to handling defectors. His 39-year career as a CIA operations officer included assignments in West Germany, Bulgaria, Iran, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, and as chief of the division for the Soviet Union. Under his sometimes-gruff exterior, he was sensitive to the human costs of spying and lit candles at Roman Catholic churches to honor the memory of agents he had lost. Mr. Gerber joined the CIA in the 1950s, a time of ambition and optimism, but the young agency faced a steep learning curve against the KGB, which was far more experienced in human-source espionage. Mr. Gerber had little interest in the CIA’s often disaster-prone early covert actions, devoting his career instead to honing espionage tradecraft and tactics on the Cold War’s front lines — what Secretary of State Dean Rusk once called the “back alleys of the world.” Mr. Gerber never accepted the term “denied areas” used by other U.S. officials to describe the Soviet bloc regions, including Moscow, that were so heavily monitored by secret police that they were considered off-limits for American spying. “Denied areas” — to whom? he asked. Not to him or his classmates. Mr. Gerber and others on their first tours in the 1950s were not intimidated by the KGB, he said. Read full Washington Post obituary here.

Closed Casket Visitation, Friday, 10 January, 4-6 PM Joseph Gawler Son's Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. Funeral Saturday, 11 January, 2-3:30 PM St. Matthew's Cathedral, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C 20036. Reception Saturday, 11 January, 4-6 PM DACOR Bacon House 1801 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006 (Refreshments and light appetizers provided.)

Ray Garhoff — CIA Analyst, Researcher, Author on Soviet Issues

Raymond Leonard Garthoff, 95, passed away on December 7, 2024, at his retirement community in Mitchellville, MD. A diplomat and scholar, he was a prolific author who wrote definitive studies of Soviet military power and US-Soviet relations during the Cold War. Ray was born in 1929 in Cairo, Egypt, where his father was bursar of the American University of Cairo. He grew up in Alexandria, VA, graduated from Princeton University, and received his PhD from Yale University. In 1950, he married Vera Alexandrovna Vasilieva. Ray worked from 1950 to 1957 at the RAND Corporation, publishing a pathfinding study of Soviet military doctrine and writing additional books and articles on Soviet military power. As an analyst of Soviet affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency from 1957 to 1961, he wrote national intelligence estimates on Soviet foreign policy and in 1959 served as an adviser on Vice President Richard Nixon's delegation to the USSR. In 1961 he became Soviet affairs adviser in the State Department's Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, supporting U.S. diplomacy during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and helping develop arms control policy that led to the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 and the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. He served on the U.S. delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks from 1969 to 1972, negotiating U.S.-Soviet agreements signed in 1972. He was U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria from 1977 to 1979 before retiring from the Foreign Service. In 1980, Dr. Garthoff became a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, where for the next 15 years and in retirement he chronicled the final phase of the Cold War. His two volumes on American-Soviet relations from 1969 to 1991 garnered praise for their comprehensiveness. His personal memoir, Journey through the Cold War: A Memoir of Containment and Coexistence, presents perspectives he developed throughout his career.

Marcus Williamson — Career DOD Employee

Marcus Neal Williamson, Jr., 65, passed away at home in Laurel, Maryland, on June 30, 2024. He died after a devastating diagnosis of glioblastoma. Mark was born on September 16, 1958 in Jacksonville, Florida. His family later moved to Titusville, Florida, where he attended South Lake Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Madison Jr High and graduated from Astronaut High School in 1976. Mark was an Eagle Scout, bicentennial class of 1976. He was a three-year letterman on the Astronaut High School Swim Team, and had a paper route with his younger siblings. He was a scuba diver, fencer, City of Titusville chess champion, and an amateur mechanic. He rebuilt his father’s Fiat convertible for use on the paper route. He worked at Disney World as a lifeguard. Mark loved reading sci-fi novels. Mark enlisted in the Navy in 1977, completed basic training in Orlando, and foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, CA. He served active duty for seven years with duty stations at Guantanamo Bay, Key West, and Fort Meade, MD. He remained in the Naval Reserve for another 30 years, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Mark received an associate's degree from the Florida Keys Community College, a bachelors from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore. Mark was an employee of the Federal Government, first as a Naval officer and then as a civilian serving with the Department of Defense, with total service of 46 years. He was deeply respected for his knowledge of federal sector law and policy, his work ethics, and his dedication to training and mentoring the future generation of colleagues. Mark was a polyglot and an intellectual with an insatiable curiosity. He enjoyed researching myriad topics from naval battle history to archaeology, was a voracious reader and a lover of classical music. He had a deep understanding of human physiology and was an avid exercise enthusiast and competitive swimmer well into his adult years.

Harry Gonyer — Decorated US Air Force, NSA, CIA Intelligence Officer

Harry A. Gonyer Jr. of Rehoboth Beach died of complications of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia Sunday, Dec.15, 2024, at Delaware Veterans Home. Harry was a retired intelligence officer. His public service career spanned over 40 years as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Air Force, the National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency. He held several positions as manager and subject area specialist in assignments in the U.S. and overseas. Harry earned numerous awards during his career, including the prestigious National Intelligence Medal of Achievement from the CIA and presidential citations from Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. Gonyer was born in Mooresville, N.C., in 1945, and went to high school in Indianapolis, Ind. He attended college at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and Syracuse University, where he graduated with a degree in Russian and Russian area studies and a minor in French. After four years in the Air Force, Harry started his civilian intelligence career and moved to the suburban Washington, D.C. area, residing for 20 years in the Columbia, Md. He also lived and worked in England for 5 years and Germany for 2 years, and traveled extensively worldwide. He was a “Cold Warrior” during his early career but was focused on counterterrorism in his later years.

Don Barlett — Former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps Officer and Pulitzer-winning Investigative Journalist

Donald L. Barlett, a Chestnut Hill resident for 25 years and a much-honored investigative reporter, died Oct. 5 of age-related effects at his home. He was 88. Barlett teamed with fellow reporter James B. Steele for 26 years at The Philadelphia Inquirer and 42 years overall, forming arguably the finest duo in U.S. journalism history. David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter and past president of Investigative Reporters and Editors, said of Barlett and Steele after their second Pulitzer, "They are far and away the best investigative team of all time. There are lots of great investigative reporters, but nobody has their sustained track record." The duo were "hard data" journalists long before the internet, poring over reams of printed numbers for months and years. Their work is cited in journalism textbooks nationwide. The Washington Journalism Review stated, "They were a better investigative reporting team than even Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein." In addition to their Pulitzer Prizes, Barlett and Steele won two National Magazine Awards, six George Polk Awards and numerous others. "Don was one of the greatest reporters America ever produced,” Steele told the Local last week. “Don was really a voice for the people. He believed deeply that every person should be treated equally, and he spent his working life following that maxim, exposing hypocritical politicians, corrupt leaders and shining a light into dark places. His thoroughness, sense of fairness and his commitment to the truth were his guiding principles. And he loved living on the Hill." Barlett grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn State University for a year. He left college to work as a general assignment reporter in Ohio, Indiana and Reading, then spent three years as a special agent with the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He worked for several smaller newspapers before joining the Inquirer in 1970. Barlett and Steele's 1991 Inquirer series, "America: What Went Wrong?," was named by New York University's department of journalism as one of the best pieces of journalism of the 20th century. Rewritten as a book, it became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller. It is one of seven books Barlett and Steele published. The duo exposed how countless laws are passed by Congress that the general public knows nothing about. Many of these laws are passed by members of Congress who have received large campaign donations from lobbyists representing special interests that will benefit substantially. The average taxpayer is left to pick up the tab with no benefits. Typical quotes from Barlett and Steele include: "Our best-known and most successful companies pay more taxes to foreign governments than to our own." "Your tax status is affected more by how many lawyers and lobbyists you can afford than by your resources or needs." "Middle-income taxpayers pick up a growing share of the nation's tax bill while our most profitable corporations pay little or nothing." In a 2007 PBS documentary series, "Exposé: America's Investigative Reports," Barlett and Steele were asked how they managed to work so well together for so many years. Barlett said, "We're both very boring. Who else reads the tax codes?" Huntly Collins, of Mount Airy, a former Inquirer reporter and retired assistant professor of communication from La Salle University, remembered Barlett as a mentor. "I got to know Don and Jim – who were impossible to think about except as a pair – when I arrived in the Inquirer's business news department in 1983," she said. "Though they were holed up in their own office, they popped out to encourage me and offer advice whenever I was working on an investigative story. They had a laser focus on the public interest. When I was reporting on continued racial discrimination in the Philadelphia building trade unions despite a federal court order, they were an enormous help in analyzing the statistical data that backed up my findings." Jeff Gelles, a former editor, reporter and columnist for the Inquirer and a Chestnut Hill resident who serves as chair of the Rex Avenue Neighbors Association, said he had "enormous respect" for Barlett. He recalled how Barlett and Steele had their own office near the business news department. "I remember visiting them there once and having a long discussion about their reporting on the alternative minimum tax," he said. "... Don was soft-spoken but a great colleague who always made time to answer questions from other writers and editors. He and Jim inspired a whole generation of journalists at the Inquirer and around the country to look around corners and find the stories that were hiding in plain sight." Barlett and Steele had a way of making otherwise dry numbers come alive in meticulous yet absorbing detail. In "America: What Went Wrong?," they sifted through thousands of documents and databases, using countless examples involving real people to describe what they called "the relentless shrinking of the middle class." The stories generated a huge response from readers — more than 20,000 letters, notes, phone calls and requests for reprints.

Noreen Riols — Former SOE Operative

Noreen Riols, who has died aged 98, was one of the last surviving women to have served with SOE – sometimes known as “the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” – in the Second World War. In February 1944 Noreen moved from SOE HQ in London to Beaulieu, Hampshire, where she lived in a cottage on Lord Montagu’s estate and worked as a secretary. Prospective agents were billeted in a dozen or so houses in the forest. This was the final stage of their training before being infiltrated into enemy occupied territory. Agents were taught how to pick locks, blow up safes and spread rumours about diseases that would be contracted from visiting brothels used by German soldiers. They also learnt how to make secret ink out of egg white or urine and how to instruct women doing the laundry to put itching powder into German underwear. They discovered how to turn themselves into hunchbacks or cripples and could age themselves by 40 or 50 years with the skilful application of ashes or white shoe cleaner. Read full Washington Post obituary here.

Research Requests and Academic Opportunities

• Call for Papers: Twenty Years After the Butler Review: Have we learned anything? Oxford Intelligence Group Conference. 5-6 June 2025. 01 Apr 25 deadline for proposals. See flier with full details here.
• Academic Opportunity: The International Security & Intelligence Programme at Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, Summer 2025. Residential Programme: Cambridge, Sunday 6 July to Saturday 2 August 2025. See flier with full details here.
• Information Sought: Researcher is seeking information about the document known in the West as the “KGB Wanted List,” the 1969 version of which was brought to the West by a KGB defector in 1972. Vladislav Krasnov analysed a portion of the list in his 1986 book titled “Soviet Defectors.” Both CIA and the FBI responded to FOIA requests indicating that they cannot find the 1969 list (although both CIA and NACIC have cited it in various forums). If you have a copy of the 1969 list, suggestions where it might be found in its entirety, or knowledge of any earlier lists in the series, please contact Kevin Riehle at kevin.riehle@brunel.ac.uk.
• Call for Collaboration: AFIO member seeks a collaborator with YouTube technical expertise to launch a channel that will highlight specific examples of Russian and Chinese misinformation. Please contact Greg Rushford at gregrushford@gmail.com.
• Internship Opportunity: U.K.-based private intelligence company Grey Dynamics is accepting applications for its analyst internship program. Excellent resume building experience for aspiring intel analysts and, for intelligence studies students (and graduates) who are interested in analysis and writing, a great entry-level opportunity to exercise your skills in a real editorial and publication setting. See full details and application instructions here.


• Call for Information: Child of former CIA 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 Interviews: Kingston Trinder is a Los Angeles-based nonfiction author and documentary film and television executive who is seeking extraordinary true, untold, stories featuring unforgettable characters, and unbelievable narrative arcs. He develops compelling factual storytelling with a variety of international publishing houses and television networks, and is in search of primary source material from former intelligence officers about their lives, specific cases or projects that they can get cleared for discussion, or other aspects of working in the shadows that would be informative and entertaining for readers who live outside of that world. Please email hello@kingstontrinder.com or call (323) 570-5715.


• Call for Online Survey Participants: Northeastern University is conducting an Institution Review Board approved research project on critical thinking skills for national security intelligence analysts and welcomes the input, via online survey, of AFIO members. Access survey here.


• Call for Information and Interview Subjects: In search of information on possible espionage activity in New York City in the WWII and post-war era to help a family investigating their heritage. Specifically looking at The Plaza (1955), Hotel Pierre (1935 through 1970), and Hotel Delmonico (1945) (now Trump Park Avenue) as well as "Office of 39" Room 3603, and the OWI (Office of War Information) (1945). Details on the Grand Central Station underground and Waldorf Astoria Secret Elevator are also of interest. Other areas of interest for any information on the following people or more generally who may be able to speak to the climate include Swiss involvement in the Abwehr, The Nestle Company 1935-1945, Reinhard Gehlen, German Soldier Thilo Von Trotha in Addis Ababa in 1948-53, Michael Wardell in London, John B. McNair, Canada, Lord Beaverbrook in Cromarty 1948-49. Contact Rosanna Minchew at Rosanna@spyher.co.

Jobs

• Assistant Professor in Intelligence and National Security Studies - University of Texas, El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies. We seek applicants with demonstrated research expertise in one or more of these areas: Open-Source Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cyberwarfare, or Intelligence Analysis. Successful candidates will indicate how they can contribute to establishing and growing UTEP's Open-Source Intelligence Center. More information about our program and dynamic campus, as well as application materials, can be found here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional information and application here.

Section VI - Events

AFIO Events

14 Jan 25, 0900-1130 (PST) - Presentation by Former Secretary of Defense General Jim Mattis - In Person - San Francisco - AFIO San Francisco ChapterNone scheduled.

Topic: National Security. 9:00am - 9:45am coffee and networking; 9:45am - 11:30am talk. Location: Adjacent to Moffett Field. Registrants will receive directions on how to access the building. Dress Code: Civilian - Business Casual; Military - Work Uniform. This event is open to AFIO SF chapter members in good standing and their guests. Though the event is SOLD OUT some waitlist names are being accepted. Please contact Mariko Kawaguchi at afiosf@aol.com if you have any questions or would like to be put on the very limited wait list. The event is held at a government facility. You must be registered prior to the event and bring a government-issued photo ID. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Events of Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, Others

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—

Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, Self

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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