Category Archives: History

Declassified: Women You Probably Didn’t Know Were Spies

Over the centuries there have been colorful, clever, trained and dedicated women, all engaged in the art of espionage. From the Civil War to the present time, their roles have in intelligence have varied as spies, cryptologists, scientists, historians, entertainers, … Continue reading

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Mata Hari: Double Agent or Scapegoat?

The debate over Mata Hari and her involvement with the world of espionage is one that may never have a clear answer. Her life is a mix of tall tales and legends, some were self-fabricated, and others were created by … Continue reading

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From Russia with Love | A History of Poisonings

Targeted killing. Wet jobs. Assassinations. Eliminations. Spy thrillers feature deadly plots in which governments eliminate spies, operatives, dissidents or enemies of the state. Life imitated art with the recent expulsion of 60 Russians from the United States on Monday, in … Continue reading

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Do Former Intelligence Professionals Make Good Political Leaders? (PART 2)

In June of last year, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi was elected President of Egypt in a landslide. Before becoming Egypt’s sixth president, Sisi had been the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and its Defense Minister. But more … Continue reading

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Under Cover of Darkness – African Americans in Espionage

“Every shut eye ain’t sleep,” is an African American proverb that aptly addresses the presence and many contributions of African Americans in espionage. These unsung heroes have been active agents in the defense of American freedom on the frontlines and behind the … Continue reading

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UNFRIENDING FACEBOOK: BRITISH INTELLIGENCE AND THE MURDER OF FUSILIER LEE RIGBY

In December 2012, Michael Adebowale, a British-born Muslim convert, did what tens of millions of us do everyday by logging onto Facebook and starting a conversation. The person at the other end of the computer was a senior member of … Continue reading

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THE DANGERS OF EXPOSURE: THE DEATH OF CIA STATION CHIEF RICHARD WELCH

On the night of 23 December 1975, Richard Welch, CIA Station Chief in Athens, went with his wife to the American Ambassador’s residence for a Christmas Party. A few hours later, he drove back to his fashionable suburban home with … Continue reading

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10 Amazing Facts About the Trabant

After WWII, East Germany had a hard time establishing a functioning industry. Not only had almost everything been destroyed during the war, but the Soviet Union dismantled most of the factories that were left. A steel embargo of the US, … Continue reading

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‘Never admit anything unless you have to’: Thatcher and Intelligence Secrecy

Legendary British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (October 1925 to April 2013), who would have turned 89 this month, was convinced that Britain’s intelligence services should remain absolutely secret, and tried repeatedly to protect them from the gaze of public scrutiny. … Continue reading

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SPY at the Movies: The Green Prince

The new documentary, The Green Prince, is based on the 2010 memoir, Son of Hamas, by Mosab Hassan Yousef. Mosab is the son of the Hamas founder and leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, and the film centers on his decision to … Continue reading

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