Association of Former Intelligence Officers

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Welcome

AFIO BulletThe Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) presents this website to serve our members and visitors as a portal to our activities and to provide word of upcoming educational events by other select intelligence groups.



MEMBERS...


AFIO National 2024 Board Elections

Members... cast your ballot here

[Requires log-in to ensure valid and current membership]

Elections close Thursday, 30 November 2023 at 11:45 p.m. ET


Released exclusively to members 17 October 2023...

What Would You Risk for Half a Billion Dollars?


Recorded 20 July 2023

David Bickford, Former UK Under Secretary of State & MI5 & MI6 Legal Director
on his novel "Katya"

Interview of Thursday, 20 July 2023 between David Bickford, Former UK Under Secretary of State & MI5 & MI6 Legal Director, on his novel Katya, and AFIO President James Hughes, a former senior CIA Operations Officer.
They discuss the plot, the use of Katya - an urchin living on the streets of Russia - and Bickford's professional insights on full display as his protagonist faces difficulties all spies are familiar with...and some they aren't. Katya finds herself in a race against time, navigating a treacherous landscape of deception, money laundering, prostitution, and terrorism. The outcome remains uncertain as she battles Cartwright's schemes and confronts her own demons. With her team at her side, Katya must rely on her training and experience to survive and succeed in her mission to retrieve Gadaifi’s stolen fortune. Bickford also closes with advice to those considering a career in the intelligence services.
The interview runs 11 minutes and includes several Q&As.

Katya combines just enough professionally informed realism with great plot and character development to hold a former intelligence officer’s attention - a great read as only the Brits can do it.”
-- Paul Redmond - Chief, CIA Counterintelligence, Retired; AFIO Member.

"Bickford is a legend from the world of espionage and counter-espionage." -- James Adams, Advisor National Security Agency

David Bickford's books can be found here and can be purchased in the U.S. here

AFIO Chairman Stewart Baker's review of Katya is here

Access the David Bickford interview here or click above image.


This and other AFIO Now videos (see below) in 2023 are sponsored by Northwest Financial Advisors.


Upcoming AFIO and Intelligence Community Events
Many informative, fascinating programs are occurring in the Washington Metro Area and across the country. Find out which ones to add to your calendar to stay connected and to stay current.

Corporate
Learn how your company can make a difference with AFIO corporate memberships and marketing opportunities. Reach more than 4,800 intelligence professionals.

National Members
Join or renew your existing membership and enjoy member benefits, such as special publications, invitations to events, unique banking & investment services, scholarships, and career assistance.

Publications
As a member or subscriber you receive the popular Weekly Intelligence Notes [WINs] and the print-only academic journal: Intelligencer - Journal of U.S. Intelligence Studies for the intelligence community by intelligence professionals. AFIO also produces Intelligence As A Career - a printed and online guide to organizing your life and education to qualify for work in the intelligence community, and a Guide to the Study of Intelligence to assist college instructors, secondary school teachers of history, civics, and current events, and students, on the best readings on a wide variety of current intelligence topics.

About Us
Learn about us - our many events, publications, programs, and legislative alerts. Support AFIO with purchases and donations or meet our members at events throughout the US. Make your views known.

Chapters
Local chapters have appeal to many members, so after you have joined AFIO National, consider adding a local chapter membership to your mix.

Upcoming AFIO Events ... Full listings found here
Icon Calendar

26 October 2023, 7:30 pm - Pasadena, CA - AFIO Los Angeles hosts AFIO National Board Member Everette Jordan, former Deputy Assistant of the Treasury for IC Integration and National Intelligence Manager for Economic Security and Threat Finance for the DNI.

AFIO BulletThe chapter has an upcoming event with AFIO Board Member Everette Jordan on Oct. 26th. This will be a meet and greet event and will take place out in Pasadena at 7.30 PM at the El Cholo Cafe, 300 E Colorado Blvd Suite 214, Pasadena, CA 91101.

Everette Jordan had an impressive 45-year career in service to the Departments of Defense, The Treasury, and the Army. Part of his service included leadership and staff assignments with IC partners and Capitol Hill. His more recent leadership roles were as the Deputy Assistant of the Treasury for IC Integration and National Intelligence Manager for Economic Security and Threat Finance for the DNI.
Please mark your calendar if you are able to attend. Look forward to you seeing you!
Questions to Vincent Autiero,  Chapter President, AFIO-Los Angeles Chapter, 5651 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045


2 November 2023 (Thursday), 11:30 a.m. PDT - Las Vegas, NV - AFIO Las Vegas Chapter Meeting features Amir Eden, Friends of The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Director of Nevada, and Colorado Chapters, discussing situation in Mideast.

AFIO BulletThe AFIO Las Vegas Chapter meeting features Amir Eden, Friends of The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Director of Nevada, and Colorado Chapters. Given current world events we are fortunate to have this special speaker lined up that I’m sure you will enjoy. The event will be held at Charlie’s Lakeside Bar and Restaurant, 8603 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117.
Qs and RSVPs to Linda Cohn at 702-239-1370 or by email if you have any questions. Early RSVPs are also appreciated. See you in November.


Online version of the Guide
AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence
Are You Using It?

Full no-cost, online version of Guide here.

Perfect for professors, students, those considering careers in intelligence, and current/former officers seeking to see what changes are taking place across a wide spectrum of intelligence disciplines.

AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence helps instructors teach about the large variety of subjects that make up the field of intelligence. This includes secondary school teachers of American History, Civics, or current events and undergraduate and graduate professors of History, Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, and related topics, especially those with no or limited professional experience in the field. Even those who are former practitioners are likely to have only a limited knowledge of the very broad field of intelligence, as most spend their careers in one or two agencies at most and may have focused only on collection or analysis of intelligence or support to those activities.

We regret that the printed, bound edition has sold out. No copies remain for sale.

AVAILABLE ONLINE-ONLY: As an educational service to professors and students, AFIO provides the full 788-page Guide online here for free. This was made possible through the generosity of our foundation, corporate, and institutional members, coupled with the donations we received from our many individual members. We thank all of them.


ARTICLES SOUGHT

AFIO is seeking authors for its section on "When Intelligence Made a Difference" in the semi-annual Intelligencer journal. Topics of interest for which we are seeking authors include:
• The Richard Sorge espionage ring in Tokyo in World War II and the impact of his intelligence on Stalin and the battle for Moscow.
• How Rommel’s Afrika Korps used SIGINT against the British in World War II.
• How A.Q. Khan’s nuclear proliferation efforts were uncovered and stopped.
• The breaking of the Nazi U-boat SHARK encryption system.
• How US intelligence found Usama Bin Laden in Abbottobad, Pakistan.
• How allied SIGINT isolated the Afrika Korps from its logistics chain.
• How US intelligence discovered the Soviet’s high speed Shkval torpedo.
• Intelligence and the rescue of Scott O’Grady.
• Other topics are also welcome.

Interested authors please contact Peter Oleson, senior editor The Intelligencer, at peter.oleson@afio.com

Icon Calendar

27 October 2023 - Naples, FL - Meeting of the New Southwest Florida Chapter

AFIO BulletThe chapter president, Hugo Harmatz, requests members contact him to give suggestions of topics and speakers for programs. He seeks to ensure the chapter meetings are enjoyable and interesting for all.
He can be reached at lawyur@aol.com.


9 November 2023 (Thursday), 11:30 a.m. PST, - San Francisco, CA - AFIO San Francisco Chapter meeting features Ricky Deutsch on "Spies in the Sky: HEXAGON -- A History of the Last Film-Based Satellite."

AFIO BulletLocation: Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco. Time: 11:30am no host cocktails; 12 noon (Pacific) meeting start
RSVP here at Event Registration Link. Pre-registration required.
Questions to Mariko Kawaguchi, PO Box 117578, Burlingame, CA 94011, afiosf@aol.com


JUST PUBLISHED
FOR 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 all new 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 and efforts of AFIO board, volunteer editors/writers, donors, and members. We thank all for their support which makes this publication available.

Careers Booklet (new 2023 Fifth Edition) can be read or downloaded here

AFIO STORE GIFT ITEMS

Now available: new Black short-sleeved polo shirts with embroidered AFIO logo. Men's only.

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.

 Mug with color glazed logo. Made in America. Sturdy enough to sit on desk to hold pens, cards, paperclips, and candy.

This handsome large, heavy USA-made ceramic mug is dishwasher-safe with a glazed seal.
$35 per mug includes shipping. Order this and other store items online here.

Also available are our popular Intelligence Community Mousepad AFIO Mousepad

Full color seals of all 18 members of the U.S. Intelligence Community on this 8" round, slick surface, nonskid, rubber-backed mouse pad. Price still only $20.00 for 2 pads [includes shipping to U.S. based address, only. For foreign shipments, we will contact you with a quote.] Great gift for colleagues and self. Click image above for larger image. Now with dark navy background, brighter, updated seals of member agencies. And now MADE IN USA. Order MOUSEPADS here.

Other Upcoming Educational Events....includes selection of events from advertisers, corporate sponsors, and others—

 8 November 2023, 6 - 8pm EST - Williamsburg, VA - Veterans Day Book Talk with Brian Morra '78 on "Cold War History to Today's Russian Invasion of Ukraine"

Please join us for a Veterans Day event with W&M alumni Brian J. Morra ’78, who will be discussing his book "The Able Archers." The talk will focus on Brian’s writing process, the history of the Cold War period depicted in the book, and connections that can be drawn to the present-day Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Brian is a former U.S. intelligence officer and a retired senior aerospace executive. Learn more about him.

A reception and book signing will follow the talk, and the library’s Special Collections Research Center will have select military collections on display. The W&M Bookstore will be there selling copies of his book.

This event is produced in partnership with W&M Libraries, W&M Military and Veteran Affairs, and Association of 1775.

Location: Swem Library, Read and Relax, 400 Landrum Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Map this location
Free food
Registration/RSVP Required

Please register to be guaranteed a seat!
Register for this Event here.



Spies, Lies & Nukes - Third Conference - Santa Fe, NM
10-12 November 2023 - Sante Fe, NM - Spies, Lies & Nukes Conference


We will meet Nov 10-12 at the beautiful La Fonda Resort in Santa Fe, NM. We have added an additional day to this year's conference and EVERYONE is a VIP and invited to attend the VIP reception on Friday evening.

Hear about intriguing, provocative, and sometimes shocking conversations on cyberattacks, covert actions, nuclear scams, how real spies are recruited, and daring operations that changed history from legendary and highly decorated CIA officers who lived in the "wilderness of mirrors" for years.

Speakers for this conference include a former deep cover illegal KGB agent, a former CIA Deputy Director, former CIA Intelligence and Special Ops Officers, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense and others.

See bios of these amazing speakers, conference schedule & topics: www.SpiesLiesNukes.com Tickets include breakfasts and lunches, a VIP reception on Friday evening and all speaker presentations and panels.

La Fonda is holding specially priced rooms for our guests until OCTOBER 10 only. Please purchase your tickets and reserve your rooms while they are still available. This historic and elegant venue provides an intimate meeting space that allows for interactions and discussions, but space is limited.

This third, enhanced running of Spies, Lies & Nukes. Join Valerie Plame and some of her legendary, highly decorated, and experienced CIA colleagues as they pull back the curtain on the real life "wilderness of mirrors" that is international espionage.
Hear from and engage with the best of CIA's spies to better understand today's world: from emergent threats, to never-before-told spy operations, black market nuclear scams, how to recruit a spy, the growth of domestic terrorism, how social media is used in espionage, and keeping your employees and your company safe from foreign spies.

Topics: "Soul Catcher: The Metaphysics of Recruiting a Spy" with Jim Lawler, Former Senior CIA Ops Officer
"Delusion and Illusion in Moscow" with Jonna Mendez in conversation with Valerie Plame, Former Covert CIA Ops Officer
"CIA in the Movies" - Panel;
"China: An Emerging Threat" with Mary Beth Long, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
"Inside Putin's Head" with Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, Former Senior CIA Intelligence Officer
"Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA" with Marc Polymeropoulos, Former Senior CIA Ops Officer
"Disinformation Distortions: AI, Deep Fakes, and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Social Media and Espionage" with Alma Katsu, Former Senior CIA and NSA Analyst
"Morality and Ethics in the CIA" with Doug London, Former Senior Officer in the CIA's Clandestine Service
Michael Morrell in conversation with Valerie Plame, Former Covert CIA Ops Officer
"Eliminating Players on the Intelligence Battlefield: Havana Syndrome" with Marc Polymeropoulos, Former Senior CIA Ops Officer
"The End of the Global Nuclear Order" with Valerie Plame, Former Covert CIA Ops Officer
Program also includes: Former Senior CIA Deputy Director; Michael J. Morell

FEE: Regular Sale purchase window: Jun 16 - Nov 2, $1300; Late Sale purchase window: Nov 3 - Nov 10, $1450. Special AFIO rate here.
Ticket price does not include accommodations. More about accommodations here

Tickets include breakfasts, lunches, VIP reception and all speaker presentations and activities.

Conference location: Conference Location: La Fonda On the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
More information or to register here


11-16 October 2023 - Huntsville, AL - National Counter Intelligence Corps Association Convention

AFIO members are invited to join colleagues at the NCICA (National Counter Intelligence Corps Association) at their annual convention in Huntsville, AL.
For more information explore the event at the NCICA website here.
Or email the NCICA President, John Nolan, at 831xray@gmail.com or call 256-527-2510.
Convention will be held at The Hampton Inn & Suites, 313 Clinton St. W. Huntsville, AL.
The NCICA are all former Special Agents and the organization was formed in 1948 by returning Agents from WWII.
Other questions? Email NCICA Chairman Jerry Burns at gbsacic66@gmail.com or call 423-791-3115.


Additional Events:

26 October 2023, 6 - 10 pm - Washington, DC - “From IWP with Love”: An Evening of Espionage - Institute of World Politics

Join IWP supporters, alumni, and friends for a special Black Tie celebration of The Institute of World Politics! Includes tour of the International Spy Museum.
6:00 PM VIP Exhibit Tours; 6:45 PM General Reception and Dinner Buffet; 7:30 PM Remarks; 8:00 PM Dancing
Exhibits open until 10:00 PM
Options for Attendance:
• You may choose to become a member of the IWP Chancellor's Council (annual donation of $1000 or more) and receive complimentary tickets to all of the Chancellor's Council events, which will take place from October 25-26.
• You may choose to purchase tickets.
• You may choose to become a sponsor.
If you would like to become a sponsor, or if you have questions about becoming a Chancellor's Council member, please email Ariane Sweeney at asweeney@iwp.edu.
Dress: Black Tie or Military Dress Equivalent Optional
Event location: International Spy Museum, 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Accommodations: IWP has a room block at the St. Regis for October 24-27, 2023. Deluxe King rooms are $445 per night, and Premier Deluxe King rooms are $465 per night. Book a room online or call 1-888-627-8087. Because these rooms are limited, we encourage you to book early if you plan to attend.
To explore this upcoming event or to purchase a ticket and view sponsorship opportunities, please click here.




Special Walking Tours Announcements
from SpyGuide Tours Inc.

Saturday 21 October 2023.  Last chance this year to attend "The January 6th Experience" walking tour from the White House to the Capitol, with Spyher host, misinformation expert, and former intelligence analyst. Book at https://spyher.co and use Promo Code J6E2023 for $20 off. $5 of each sale will be donated to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

The Spies of Wall Street, available daily. Book at https://spyher.co and embark on a riveting journey through lower Manhattan, where every corner reveals secrets stepped in espionage and intrigue. Traverse the annals of history, from the clandestine operations of George Washington's intelligence network during the Revolutionary War to the audacious actions of Soviet sleeper agents, perfectly hidden within New York's glitterati.  

Visit https://spyher.co to learn more and book all tours.




14 - 25 April 2024 - Gary Powers' Cold War Espionage Tour of Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary - Travel Dates: April 14 to 25,2024 - 12 days/10 nights

Join author & historian Gary Powers Jr. on this 12-day tour of Cold War and espionage related sites in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary
The deadline to enroll is 11/30/23 with a required deposit of $495. Final payment is due 12/30/23.

What's Included: • Round-trip air transportation from Washington, DC; • 10 nights in centrally located, four-star hotels; • Full-time CHA Tour Director; • Valuable insight & informative commentary by Gary Powers Jr.; • On-tour transportation by private motorcoach; • Breakfast & dinner (or lunch) daily; • Sightseeing tours & visits shown in itinerary (subject to change based on availability)
Tour Prices: Full Tour Price: $5,695 per person; Land Tour Price: $4,645 per person (does not include round-trip airfare and airport transfers); Repeat Gary Powers travelers will receive a $200 discount! Price based on double occupancy.
A $600 single room fee will apply for travelers without roommates.
The deadline to enroll is 11/30/23 with a required deposit of $495. Final payment is due 12/30/23.
Questions? Call 1-800-323-4466 or email info@cha-tours.com.
Enroll Online at: www.cha-tours.com/GaryPowers



MORE about the "AFIO Now" Video Series....

To view publicly-released videos released in 2023 and earlier visit our YouTube page here
To see all videos released in 2023, log into the Member-Only area of our website here.
To see videos released in 2020 to 2022, log into the Member-Only area here.
To explore podcasts, see links in table below or visit main podcast page.

"AFIO Now" Interviews and Podcasts in 2023 are sponsored by

Northwest Financial Advisors
Press Release on this new Joint Arrangement



Below are the Videos and Podcasts released in 2023 in our popular "AFIO Now" Series.
View publicly-released videos from 2023 and earlier at our YouTube page here
View released and member-only pre-2023 videos here.


For Members-Only at this time...
What Would You Risk for Half a Billion Dollars? David Bickford, Former UK Under Secretary of State & MI5 & MI6 Legal Director discusses his novel "Katya" with AFIO President James Hughes a former senior CIA Operations Officer.
The plot, the use of Katya - an urchin living on the streets of Russia - and Bickford's professional insights are on full display as his protagonist faces difficulties all spies are familiar with...and some they aren't. Katya finds herself in a race against time, navigating a treacherous landscape of deception, money laundering, prostitution, and terrorism. Katya relies on training and experience to survive and succeed in her mission to retrieve Gadaifi’s stolen fortune. Bickford also closes interview with advice to those considering a career in the intelligence services.
The interview runs 11 minutes and includes several Q&As. David Bickford's books can be found here and can be purchased in the U.S. here
AFIO Chairman Stewart Baker's review in Intelligencer of Katya is here


[Video not yet released to the public.]
For Members-Only at this time...
PART TWO - James Bamford, journalist/author, discusses his latest book, "Spyfail."
Jim Bamford and John Quattrocki discuss SPYFAIL which, in this second part of the interview series, covers Chinese and some Russian HUMINT, SIGINT, espionage, arrests, convictions, and other covert operations against the U.S. and our allies. Includes review of the expansion of Chinese listening posts in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and now in Cuba.
This second interview runs 78 minutes and includes many Q&As.
His book, Spyfail, is available here.
[Video not yet released to the public.]
For Members-Only at this time...
PART TWO - Michael Vickers, Former CIA Operations Officer and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence
and host and interviewer, James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer, discuss Mike's remarkable covert operations, strategy, and policy roles up to his senior leadership in DOD as covered in his new memoir: By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy.
The interview runs 52 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy here
[Video not yet released to the public.]
For Members-Only at this time...
I.S. Berry, former CIA Operations Officer, lawyer, novelist discusses her historical novel, "The Peacock and the Sparrow with Host and Interviewer James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer.
During the Arab Spring, an American spy’s final mission goes dangerously awry. He’s caught in the crosshairs of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he must navigate a bloody uprising, win Almaisa’s love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain’s secrets end and America’s begin.
The interview runs 12 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Her website is here. Purchase a copy of The Peacock and the Sparrow here.
View the Berry interview here..
[Video not yet released to the public.]
Robert Z. Byer, CIA Museum Director and Curator, and James Hughes, AFIO President, discuss the Newly Renovated and Expanded Museum Collections. They also review some artifacts of their unusual collections.
The interview runs 34 minutes and includes several Q&As.
For more information about the CIA Museum visit:
CIA Website
CIA Museum
CIA YouTube Videos
CIA on Flickr
CIA on X (Twitter)
CIA on Facebook
CIA on Instagram
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast version here.
PART ONE - Michael Vickers, Former CIA Operations Officer and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence
and host and interviewer, James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer, discuss Mike's remarkable covert operations, strategy, and policy roles up to his senior leadership in DOD as covered in his new memoir: By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy.
The interview runs 42 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy here
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast here.
Matthew Black, Author; Crime and Labor Historian and Journalist, on "Operation Underworld -- How the Mafia and U.S. Government Teamed Up to Win WW II"
Matthew Black and AFIO's President James Hughes discuss "Operation Underworld: How the Mafia and U.S. Government Teamed Up to Win World War II" - the full story of how Charles “Lucky” Luciano, the U.S. Mafia boss, was recruited by U.S. Naval Intelligence in 1942 to aid the Allied war effort in the U.S. invasion of Sicily, a turning point in WWII.
The interview runs 37.5 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of "Operation Underworld" here
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast is here.

Shane Harris, Washington Post Intelligence and National Security Reporter, discusses Late-Breaking Events in Russia and Ukraine with Jim Hughes, AFIO President. Includes details on the confusing and dangerously fluctuating situation in Ukraine. From Yevgheny Prigozhin's Wagner Group's role and possible coup attempt, to a missing Russian general, and the uncertain new role of Belarus and its leader, Lukashenko. And Putin's renewed threats to use tactical nuclear weapons if its positions in Ukraine deteriorate.
The interview runs 25 minutes and includes many Q&As.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast is here.

Richard Phillip Lawless former CIA Operations Officer, author of "Hunting Nukes: A Fifty-Year Pursuit of Atomic Bomb Builders and Mischief Makers." speaks with James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer about Lawless's half-century quest to seek out and expose undeclared nuclear weapons activities by countries of the highest concern to the US government. In particular. Lawless reveals the successful takedown of the South Korean strategic weapons program in the mid-1970s. He describes in detail the CIA's operation that detected, penetrated, defined, and eventually blocked that country's covert effort. Lawless also recounts his duties during the 2002-2008 talks with the rogue North Korean regime—the so-called "Six Party Talks." In those cases and others, Lawless details his role in the political and bureaucratic struggles necessary to keep the world's most terrifying weapons out of the hands of the world's least responsible and most dangerous regimes.
The interview runs 30 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of Hunting Nukes here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast version here.

LTG Michael Groen (USMC, Ret), former Commander of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, discusses AI with Jim Hughes. Includes details on the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, the meaning, uses, adoption problems, and ethics of AI in the military and beyond.
The interview runs 17 minutes and includes several Q&As.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast version here.

Brittany Butler, author and former CIA Targeter, discusses her latest book, "The Syndicate."
Brittany Butler and Jim Hughes discuss THE SYNDICATE SPY, her novel, which is based on her experiences as a CIA targeting officer. It tells the tale of two female spies as they race to uncover terrorists' conspiracies and ultimately change the course of war.
Though this is her first spy thriller, she has been writing the book in her head for years. She adores thrillers and spy novels. But none of the books she read come close to telling what it was really like for a woman working at the CIA. So, when she set out to write a spy thriller, she created a fresh female protagonist who felt human, who navigates the morally grey areas in espionage, and grapples with her ability to do good in a world where she is the outsider.
Her heroine, Juliet, embodies all those things but she's not Brittany. She partners Juliet with Mariam—a Saudi feminist who is eager to see the Kingdom flourish under more progressive rulers—these two women take off in an electrifying, page-turning thriller.
The interview runs 17 minutes and includes several Q&As.
The Syndicate Spy book is available here.
AFIO Podcast is here.

James Bamford, journalist/author, discusses his latest book, "Spyfail."
Jim Bamford and John Quattrocki discuss SPYFAIL which describes the highly dangerous and growing capability of foreign countries to conduct large-scale espionage within the U.S. and how the FBI and other agencies have failed to prevent it. These covert operations involve a variety of foreign countries—North Korea, Russia, Israel, China, and others—and include cyberattacks, espionage, psychological warfare, the infiltration of presidential campaigns, the smuggling of nuclear weapons components, and other incredibly nefarious actions.
The interview runs 60 minutes and includes several Q&As.
His book, Spyfail, is available here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast version here.

Alma Katsu, former NSA and CIA Officer, discusses her latest novel, "Red London."
Alma Katsu, former NSA and CIA Officer, and AFIO President Jim Hughes discuss why she chose to write novels, the steps leading to Katsu's second novel in her semi-fiction series - Red London - which followed her highly-praised first in the series: Red Widow. The real life impacts of Russian Oligarchs being welcomed into London and then becoming problems as Putin struck out at perceived betrayers (his poisoning of defector Alexander Litvinenko and others with fatal doses of polonium-210). And then Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Also discussed is the demands upon authors as their books are prepared for films, television series, podcasts, and other formats. Katsu also describes her career experiences at NSA and CIA, and gives pointers to women considering careers in the Intelligence Community.
The interview runs 24 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Red London is available here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
AFIO Podcast is here.

Nigel West, Historian and Former MP, on "Hitler's Trojan Horse: The Fall of The Abwehr"
Nigel West and Jim Hughes discuss Nigel's recent book, "Hitler's Trojan Horse: The Fall of The Abwehr."
Topics include: Impact of Abwehr defections; Richard Wurmann; Erich Vermehren; SIS Officer Nicholas Elliott; Paul (Willi) Hamburger; SIGINT; Adm. Wilhelm Canaris; Operation Valkyrie; 20 July Plot; Sicherheitsdienst; Otto John - code name WHISKY; Claus von Stauffenburg; Prince Frederick III, Solms-Baruth, tortured for his attempt to assassinate Hitler on 20 July 1944, SIS officer and professor H.L.A. Hart.
Purchase a copy of "Hitler's Trojan Horse" here.
The interview runs 18:30 minutes and includes several Q&As.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast is here.

For Members-Only...
Paul Rimmer CBE, Former MOD Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence [UK] - On the US-UK Special Relationship.
Interview of Paul Rimmer CBE, former MOD Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence [UK] - On the US-UK Special Relationship . Interviewer: Bill Richardson, former senior CIA Analyst and Officer. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer.
Paul Rimmer and Bill Richardson discuss the US-UK Special Relationship.
The interview runs 31 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Access the Paul Rimmer interview here or click above image

[Video not to be released to the public.]

Erik J. Dahl, Naval Professor/Author on
The COVID-19 Intelligence Failure: Why Warning Was Not Enough.
Professor Erik Dahl and AFIO President Jim Hughes discuss Dahl's latest book, "The COVID-19 Intelligence Failure: Why Warning Was Not Enough" which explores the roles that both traditional intelligence services and medical intelligence and surveillance systems play in providing advance warning against public health threats ― and how these systems must be improved for the future. Epidemiologists and national security agencies warned for years about the potential for a deadly pandemic, but in the end global surveillance and warning systems were not enough to avert the COVID-19 disaster. The interview runs 34 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of "The Covid-19 Intelligence Failure" here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.

Nigel West, Historian and Former MP, on
"Hitler's Nest of Vipers: The Rise of The Abwehr."
Interviewer - Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former CIA Operations Officer.
Nigel West and Jim Hughes discuss Nigel's recent book, "Hitler's Nest of Vipers: The Rise of The Abwehr." Topics include: German Intelligence Service and military districts; wehrmacht; Sicherheitsdienst; Abwehr defectors; Maj Richard Wurmann; MI5 post-war analysis of interrogated prisoners; Penetration of French Resistance; compromise of Allied Networks; Soviet System compromises; Rote Kapelle (Red Orchestra) started by Abwehrstelle Belgium, a field office of Abwehr; Portugal and Spanish links to Abwehr; KOs - hybrids with three branches; Impact on GRU and Communist networks; Death of British agents in Holland; the truth about the effectiveness of the Double-Cross System; the double agent who escaped capture.
The interview runs 22 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of "Hitler's Nest of Vipers" here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.

Todd Bennett, Federal Historian, Professor - on "Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Explorer's Covert Espionage Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency" Interviewer - Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former CIA Operations Officer. Todd Bennett and Jim Hughes discuss Bennett's latest book, "Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency" which covers billionaire Howard Hughes's 1974 Glomar Explorer, a risky deep-sea mining vessel used to retrieve a sunken Soviet sub.
The interview runs 25 minutes and includes several Q&As.
Purchase a copy of "Neither Confirm nor Deny" here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.
Vince Houghton PhD, Director, National Cryptologic Museum, NSA, on the All New and Original Exhibits at the Reopened Museum
Vince Houghton PhD, Director/Curator, National Cryptologic Museum, NSA, former Historian/Curator International Spy Museum. Interviewer - Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former Senior CIA Operations Officer.
Dr Houghton and Jim Hughes discuss all the changes made while the National Cryptologic Museum was closed during the pandemic. So many changes that it is fair to call it the "All New" National Cryptologic Museum. New one-of-a-kind items pulled out or declassified from NSA archives and now on display. The interview runs 20 minutes and includes several Q&As.
More about the National Cryptologic Museum can be found here.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.
Nigel West, Historian and Former MP, on "Spies Who Changed History: Greatest Spies and Agents of the 20th Century"
Interviewer - Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former CIA Operations Officer.
Nigel West and Jim Hughes discuss several intelligence figures from Nigel's recent book, "Spies Who Changed History: The Greatest Spies and Agents of the 20th Century." Those include: "The White Lady", "The Angel", "Garbo", Arnold Deutsch, Kim Philby, and the mysterious death of Ashraf Marwan.
Purchase a copy of Spies Who Changed History here.
The interview runs 22 minutes and includes several Q&As.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.
Geoff O'Connell, former CIA Operations Officer, COS Tel Aviv, on the Church of the Nativity Crisis which involved the siege by the Israel Defense Forces at the Church of the Nativity in a bid to halt terrorism by Hamas, Fatah, and Palestinians.
Interviewer - Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former CIA Operations Officer.
The interview runs 24 minutes and includes several Q&As.
[Video released to the public. Click title to view.]
Podcast version here.

Above are the Videos and Podcasts released in 2023 in our popular "AFIO Now" Series.
View publicly-released videos from 2023 and earlier at our YouTube page here
View released and member-only pre-2023 videos here.


NOTE: ABOUT THE SPEAKERS — Full bios appear below each video either using the "SHOW MORE" or the caron (down caret symbol) under image or at far right on mobile devices. Closed Captioning is available with each video. Click CC button at bottom right of video viewing window. If viewing on a mobile browser or device, click video while running and three dots will appear at top right edge to turn CC on or off.
PODCASTS: Too busy to sit and watch an entire "AFIO Now" episode above on YouTube? Would you rather listen in your car or while accomplishing other tasks? Now you can quickly download or stream episodes on your favorite podcasting platform. AFIO Now interviews are available on 8 podcasting platforms. Search for 'AFIO Podcast' for a selection of the interviews above (public released ones) or click on any of these podcast links: Podbean; iTunes; Google; Spotify; Amazon Music; Amazon TuneIn + Alexa; iHeartRadio; and Pandora.


NOW AVAILABLE

Getting a Security Clearance: Questions and Answers about what they are, how they are conducted,
how you can qualify, how long they take, and what can put them in jeopardy.

Two valuable booklets are available

The Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions - by the Congressional Research Service, Sept 2013
[PDF]

Security Clearances - FAQs - ClearanceJobs.com / DICE
[PDF]


RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2022 — a Monograph on The Cuban Missile Crisis — Sixty Years Later — by CIA Historian/Analyst Regis Heitchue

"The Cuban Missile Crisis: When Intelligence Made a Difference.
"

In October 1962 the US and the world faced the most serious crisis and threat of nuclear war. A new 208-page monograph published for free on-line by the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) on the Cuban Missile Crisis is an insightful examination of US intelligence during the crisis.  Unlike most accounts of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which focus on the decision-making of President Kennedy and personal accounts of those involved, "The Cuban Missile Crisis — 60 Years Later — When Intelligence Made a Difference" provides an examination of how US intelligence functioned before, during, and after the crisis.  This is a unique treatment of the topic.

Former DCI Richard Helms once said "… the Cuban Missile Crisis was really an intelligence crisis. The threat appeared only through intelligence sources. Only those sources confirmed that the threat had gone away." The monograph is the story of what American intelligence knew, when it knew it, and how it knew what the Soviets were doing in Cuba prior to and during the crisis—and what we now know, 60 years later, quite accurately, of what the Soviets were actually doing in Cuba.

The monograph examines the critical questions that the president posed to the intelligence community and how the community responded.  It also includes interesting vignettes on principal intelligence officers involved in the crisis, including Juanita Moody, head of NSA's Cuba effort, and Arthur Lundahl, the chief of the new National Photographic Intelligence Center (NPIC), who briefed President Kennedy on a daily basis.

This is a well-researched and riveting monograph, with extensive notes, bibliography, charts and photos.   It is a valuable reference for any class on intelligence. — Peter Oleson, Senior Editor

The author is Reg Heitchue, a retired senior CIA scientific and technical officer. The book project was managed and edited by former DIA Assistant Deputy Director for Plans and Policy, Peter C. Oleson, who also serves as AFIO's Senior Editor, Intelligencer journal.

The free PDF version of publication here: "The Cuban Missile Crisis: When Intelligence Made a Difference."

For those interested in purchasing a paperback edition — a longer, more comprehensive version by Mr Heitchue — it is available here.

Intelligence Community - Fourteenth Year in a Row
One of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government
and now ranked at #3 in 2022

For the 14th consecutive year, the Intelligence Community (IC) has been named as one of the "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government." The IC ranked fourth overall among large federal agencies with more than 15,000 full-time permanent employees. The Partnership for Public Service (PPS) compiled the 2022 rankings and presented the awards during a ceremony today in Washington, D.C. Dustin Gard-Weiss, Deputy DNI for Policy and Capabilities, and Sherry Van Sloun, Assistant DNI for Human Capital, accepted the award on behalf of the IC.

"What makes the IC the Best Place to Work from my perspective, is the extraordinary people who show up every day, ready to solve some of the most vexing and important challenges we face in the world," said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. "I also realize, however, that we need to support those extraordinary people and we will continue to work to make their lives and the environment that they work in one that allows them to realize their enormous potential." The "Best Places to Work" rankings provide insight into employee satisfaction across several key workplace categories including innovation, recognition, and work-life balance. The results are based on data from the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, as well as responses collected by several federal agencies that surveyed their employees during the same time period last year. PPS is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that aims to revitalize the federal government by transforming the way government works and inspiring a new generation to serve. For more details, visit: bestplacestowork.org.


Gifts appropriate for intelligence officers, colleagues, recruitments, agents, advisors, and family.
The AFIO Store has following new items ready for quick shipment.

Visit our store page to see these new items — Polo Shirts, Duffle, Cap, and PopSocket:

  

The above items and other gifts may be viewed here.

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 or contact Annette at annettej@afio.com.



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