AFIO Home

About Us

• Contact Us
• Principles & Objectives
• Programs & Initiatives
• Calendar of Events
• Donations
• Legislation
• Scholarships
• Speakers Bureau

Members

• Benefits
• Requirements
• Careers

Chapters

• Local Chapter Listings

Corporate

• Benefits

Publications

• Intelligencer
• Weekly Notes - WINs
• Intelligence Study Guide
• Book Reviews
• AFIO Store

• Search

 AFIO Central Office
 7600 Leesburg Pike
 Suite 470 East
 Falls Church, VA
 22043
 Voice: 703 790 0320
 Fax: 703 991 1278
 Email: afio@afio.com

 © 2023  AFIO

  Copyright and Privacy   Notice

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.

11 December 2023, 6 pm ET - Virtual - East Tennessee AFIO Chapter Virtual Event with James Lawler on Intelligence Careers, Counterproliferation, Counterintelligence.

AFIO East Tennessee is excited to be hosting our first virtual Q&A series featuring James Lawler. Learn about Mr. Lawler's exciting intelligence career with special emphasis on counterproliferation and counterintelligence. We will also discuss Living Lies, one of his fast-paced novels.
Mr. Lawler serves as a national security consultant and is the Senior Partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training to the Intelligence Community and the commercial sector focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues. He was a member of CIA's Senior Intelligence Service (SIS-3) from 1998 until his retirement in 2005. As Chief of the A.Q. Khan Nuclear Takedown Team, which resulted in the disruption of the most dangerous nuclear weapons network in history, Mr. Lawler was the recipient of one of the CIA's Trailblazer Awards in 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of CIA. He has
written two novels: Living Lies, an espionage story of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and In the Twinkling of an Eye, about recruiting a spy at the heart of a devastating covert Russian-North Korea genetic bioweapons program.

Email admin@etnafio.com for a meeting invitation. Follow the East Tenneesee Chapter on LinkedIn.

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

PUBLISHED IN 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

NEW Gray long-sleeved polo shirts with embroidered AFIO logo. Men's sizes only.
Show your support for AFIO with our new Gray Long-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 $60 each including shipping.
Sizes for men, only: Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, and XXXL.  $60 per shirt. Order this and other store items online here.

NEW 20 oz ceramic Mug with color glazed logo. Made in America.

Check out our new tapered, sleek AFIO coffee mug!! This handsome 20 oz. ceramic mug is made in the USA, has a white matte exterior, sports a beautiful navy-blue interior, and is dishwasher safe.  Order yours today!

$35 per mug includes shipping to a CONUS address. [includes shipping to U.S. based address, only. For foreign shipments, we will contact you with a quote.] 

SHIPPING: For shipment to a U.S.-based CONUS address, shipping is included in price. For purchases going to AK, HI, other US territories, Canada, or other foreign countries the shipping fees need to be calculated, so please call our office M-F 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at 703-790-0320 or email afio@afio.com providing following information: 1) your name, 2) mailing address (or addresses where each gift item will be shipped), 3) name of the AFIO store items you wish to purchase, 4) quantity of each, 5) your credit card number and expiration date, 6) amount (except for additional of shipping fees) authorized to charge, and 7) your phone number and email should we have questions. Foreign shipments fees will be calculated and estimates emailed to you, awaiting your approval.  Order this and other store items online here.

Still available - 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. Order this and other store items online here.

Also available are our popular Intelligence Community 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—

Wednesday, 6 December 2023, 6:30pm – Washington, DC – Queen of Cuba with Peter J. Lapp – In-Person International Spy Museum Program

As a spy prepared to give away America's biggest secrets after the 9/11 attacks, FBI agents raced to catch the mole. US government officials knew they had an intrusion. But it never occurred to them it was a woman—and certainly not the Defense Intelligence Agency employee known as "the Queen of Cuba." Ana Montes had spent 17 years spying for the Cubans. Montes impressed her bosses, but in secret, spent her breaks memorizing top secret documents before sending them to the Cuban government. Join International Spy Museum Historian and Curator Dr. Andrew Hammond live in conversation with retired FBI agent Peter J. Lapp, the author of Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent's Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years for a discussion of this incredible case. They'll discuss her motivation, the harm she did, and the clues—including never-released information—that led the FBI team to catch one of the United States' most dangerous spies. A very special artifact related to this case will be on display before the program. Queen of Cuba will be available for sale and signing after the program. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Sunday, 10 December 2023, 8-10am – Washington, DC – Access to SPY: A Morning for the Neurodiverse Community – In Person International Spy Museum Program

The International Spy Museum is pleased to offer a sensory friendly community program geared for families who have a neurodivergent child or an individual with sensory processing differences. What might be a mission impossible visit during normal operating hours is now mission possible. On this special Access morning, the Museum has set private hours (8:00-10:00 am) for families to enjoy an exclusive visit with less noise, fewer people, and a designated quiet room. In addition, guests can participate in a scavenger hunt and create their own cipher wheel! While this program is geared for families, we welcome all ages and individuals with sensory processing differences to attend this event. This program is free of charge but requires advance registration. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

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 released to the public. Click title to view.] Podcast 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.]
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.]
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.]
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.
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.]
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.]
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.