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Tag Archives: CIA
Top Ten Spy Books According to Peter Earnest
Good morning, agents. Before you head into the field, it’s imperative that you review the following documents as assigned by our resident spy, Peter Earnest. This list represents a comprehensive guide to trade craft and past missions that will help … Continue reading
Posted in A Well-Read Spy, Ask A Spy, History, In The News, Tools of the Trade, Top Ten
Tagged Argo, CIA, clue, Cold War, Double Agent, Espionage, Female Spies, Intelligence, intelligence coup, KGB, Surveillance, Terrorism
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WATCHLIST: BEST SPY MOVIES OF ALL TIME
Freaking out over federal surveillance? It’s time for cinematic distraction that even the NSA would approve. Consider this list your first assignment on the way to becoming a full-fledged espionage expert. 12. The Good Shepherd We chose this spy flick for its … Continue reading
Posted in A Well-Read Spy, Ask A Spy, History, SPY at The Movies, Top Ten, Uncategorized
Tagged Argo, CIA, Cold War, Espionage, Intelligence, KGB, Movies, Russia, Spy, spy movies
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America and Russia’s Long History of Espionage
As Russia and America deal with an alleged spy scandal involving a US diplomat who is accused of trying to recruit a Russian agent to work for the CIA, a look back at some espionage cases between the two countries … Continue reading
Posted in A Well-Read Spy, History, In The News, Uncategorized
Tagged CIA, Cold War, Intelligence, KGB, Russia, Ryan Fogle, Spy
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How Realistic is Argo?
When it comes to spy fiction, the question inevitably gets asked “how realistic is it?” A leading scholar of intelligence, Professor Wesley Wark, has said that one can discern two different types of realism. The first type of realism involves … Continue reading
Posted in History, In The News, SPY at The Movies, Uncategorized
Tagged agent, Argo, Ben Affleck, Canadians, CIA, declassified, hostage, Spy, Tony Mendez
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Two Notable Passings
The Washington Post of January 2 contained news of two notable passings that I thought I’d bring to your attention. First, Jeanne Vertefeuille, died on December 29, 2012 at age 80. Her passing was marked with just a simple death notice. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aldrich Ames, Argo, CIA, Intelligence, Jeanne Vertefeuille, John Sheardown, Mark Lijek, Robert Wright, Sandy Grimes, Tony Mendez, Washington Post
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Intelligence is a Team Sport
The Washington Post ran a remarkable article on December 10 about “Maya,” as we now know the CIA targeter who played the central role in finding Bin Laden. Her big insight was to analyze Bin Laden’s courier networks, rather than, … Continue reading
Two Seals, Two Concepts of Intelligence
Mark Stout, SPY Historian Have you ever thought about the CIA’s seal and what it means? The CIA’s website says: Here’s how we interpret our seal: The American Eagle is the national bird and is a symbol of strength and … Continue reading
The Iranian Nuclear Scientist Who Defected Twice?
Mark Stout, SPY Historian A high-profile Iranian nuclear scientist may have defected to the United States last year. And today he may have defected back. What are the implications for American intelligence? The case is rife with mysteries. Shahram Amiri … Continue reading
Q & A with a Real Spy
SPY talks with former CIA agent, John Kiriakou, about his experience with the controversy over waterboarding, and the pressures from both inside and outside the agency. Q: When a former CIA officer goes “public” does the information need to be … Continue reading
Posted in Ask A Spy
Tagged Abu Zubaydah, Afghanistan, CIA, Iraq, John Kiriakou, Osama Bin Laden, waterboarding
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