CIA Reading List: Suggested readings for intelligence professionals

While intelligence is mostly known for its classified nature, a good portion of intelligence work is conducted using open source methods. OSINT, or open-source intelligence as it is referred to, is a valuable tool critical to any bit of analysis. A responsible intelligence analyst always takes into consideration the OSINT available. While it cannot (or […]

Did the CIA pull a spy out of Russia out of fear Trump would expose him?

On Monday, CNN reported that a high-level intelligence asset was exfiltrated from Russia in 2017 after senior officials grew concerned that the president may unintentionally expose the person to Russian officials. The story, which is substantiated by CNN’s claims of anonymous informants within the White House, has yet to be corroborated by any further evidence. […]

China’s growing military will soon be able to ‘impose its will in the region’ according to new US intelligence report

China’s People’s Liberation Army has undergone a broad restructuring and modernization effort for years now, and according to a new report released by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the nation’s military is finally approaching a level of capability that could enable it to dominate the hotly contested South China Sea. Although China’s military development has not […]

TigerSwan: Former Delta Operator sought to incite violence at the Dakota Access Pipeline

It was early afternoon on October 11th, 2016 when TigerSwan’s program manager, retired Delta Force Sergeant Major John Porter, met with Silverton’s owner, Carl Clifton, inside a hangar at the Mandan Municipal Airport. The hangar was initially used by Silverton security as a clandestine office for their intelligence cell that collected information on the protesters, […]

Loose apps set traps: Running app shows military bases, movements in combat zones

American service members around the world have potentially been violating operational security by using the popular fitness tracking application Strava during workouts. As a result of the run tracking software, maps of installations manned by forward deployed service members, as well as their frequently traveled routes, have surfaced online, potentially providing valuable intelligence to the […]

Devin Nunes is under mounting pressure to release the transcript of a House Intel interview with Fusion GPS

Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee want its Republican chairman, Devin Nunes, to release the transcript of the panel’s interview with Fusion GPS cofounder Glenn Simpson. Fusion GPS wants the transcript released, too. The House Democrats can’t distribute the transcript unilaterally, like the Senate Judiciary Democrats did, because the House committee’s rules require Republicans’ consent. […]

Ukraine SitRep 1/3/18

As the world moves on, Ukraine fights on as clashes in the east continue between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists. This year the nation has seen a surprising number of assassinations and attempts on prominent figures as well. Despite the proclaimed cease fires, the war still rages and both sides receive and hand out […]

After Trump attack on media, ex-CIA director asks if he ‘wasted’ career

After President Donald Trump accused CNN International of being a “major source of (Fake) news” abroad, an exasperated former CIA and NSA director asked rhetorically if he had wasted much of his life in defense of the U.S. “If this is who we are or who we are becoming, I have wasted 40 years of […]

I was a target of Russian propaganda long before the 2016 election

I’ve been sitting on this one for years now because I did not want to be a vehicle for Russian propaganda.  You often hear about how you have to be careful what you eat; be careful what you put in your body.  Eating fatty foods, using drugs, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can all be […]