From the reliable SpyTalk, retired CIA official Ronald Marks has some commonsense advice for those trying to understand the intelligence process. First of all, do remember it is analysis, not crystal ball gazing. Never in my long history with the CIA has there been one perfect piece of information that tells the whole story. The...
Tag: secrecy
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Democrats Call for Declassifying ‘Outside Threats’ after Briefing by Trump Officials
The committee was briefed by Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency, and Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, on the Pentagon’s cybersecurity efforts to secure the Nov. 3 election. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Armed...
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COUP 53 Sheds New Light on How CIA and MI6 Brought Tyranny to Iran
The coup that toppled a democratically elected government in Iran in August 1953 and replaced it with a tyrannical monarchy that lasted 25 years was an intelligence operations whose effects are still felt to this day. A new documentary recounts the crime with special attention to the often-overlooked role (at least in the United States)...
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Trump Blocked Brennan’s Access to CIA Records. Is that a Bad Thing?
John Brennan has published a memoir, much to President Trump’s distress. In the book the former CIA director reveals the president ordered the CIA not to share classified information with him while he was writing the book, a courtesy normally extended to former officials. “Courtesy” and “Trump” are two words that co-exist uneasily in any...
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The World’s Top Intelligence Agencies, Explained
The 21st century has been very good to the world’s spies. Since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, secret intelligence agencies have increased their power and influence in countries as diverse as the United States, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. What these spy services have in common is secrecy, techniques, and elaborate emblems...
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