AFIO Weekly Intelligence Notes #45-20 dated 1 December 2020

[Editors' Note are now below the CONTENTS] REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS: We do not wish to add clutter to inboxes. To discontinue receiving the WINs, click here.

Visit us on

Section I - INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Intelligence and Security Experts Skeptical of Claims that Iranian Nuclear Scientist was Targeted in 'Remote Control' Assassination
• Pakistan: PM Okays Creation of Liaison Body for Spy Agencies
• Czech President's Call For List Of Russian Spies Triggers Security Concerns
• AG Bill Barr Gives Year In Review On The DOJ's China Initiative
• Former Syrian Spy Chief 'Who is Wanted for War Crimes was able to Flee to Austria with the help of Mossad after being Refused Asylum in France'

Section II - CONTEXT & PRECEDENCE

• Report to Congress on Russian Military Intelligence
• Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - A Real Spy Tells Us How Authentic The Game Is
• How the Intelligence Community Makes Decisions
• 76 Years Ago, a Hancock Boy Scout and his Neighbor Helped Foil the Plans of two Nazi Spies

Section III - COMMENTARY

• CIA's Unlucky Yet Meaningful Journey
• A Strong, Committed Intelligence Community is Part of America's Good Fortune
• Intelligence in the Biden Administration

Section IV - Research Requests, Jobs, Obituaries

Research Requests

• Did you work in CIA's Alec Station or bin Laden Issue Station? Please assist this author.
• The Vienna Tunnel - "Operation Silver" - Researcher Seeks More Info
• Did you know: Eloise Page, Elizabeth Sudmeier, Adelaide Hawkins, or Mary Hutchison at CIA? Or have insights on Women in Intelligence? Please assist this author.

Jobs

• FT Assistant Professor for Intelligence Studies Program at Catholic University, Washington, DC
• Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice - UTEP - University of Texas at El Paso
• JTSUSA has numerous career and temporary assignments for cleared personnel
  
• Adjunct instructors at the University of Texas at El Paso (US)
  

Obituaries

• Joan Catherwood, OSS Employee
• Roger Fontaine, Former Director Latin American Affairs, NSC; Professor
• George Wittman, CIA Case Officer, Author, Consultant
  

Section V - Events

Upcoming AFIO Events

• 3 Dec 2020, 11:30 a.m. CST - Virtual - "Lessons Learned from 25 Years in Counter-Terrorism" - CIA Operations Officer Bob Dougherty at this San Antonio, TX Chapter virtual event
• Wednesday, 9 December 2020, 12 noon - Virtual via ZOOM - The "Andre Le Gallo" San Francisco Chapter hosts Farhad Mansourian on The Islamic Republic of Iran and the new United States Administration
  

Other Upcoming Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, and Others

• Upcoming virtual (and a few live, post-quarantine) events at the International Spy Museum can be accessed directly from them here:
  https://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/upcoming/1/
• Sunday, 6 December 2020, 2-3:30 pm - Virtual - Cold War Museum hosts presentation by Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise on "Evading the Best: How We Learned to Conduct Successful Intelligence Operations in Cold War Moscow."
• For Additional AFIO and other Events two+ months or more... Calendar of Events 

WIN CREDITS FOR THIS ISSUE: The WIN editors thank the following special contributors: rsy, ec, po, pj, mh, km, gh, mk, rd, fm, kc, jm, mr, jg, th, ed, and fwr. They have contributed one or more stories used in this issue.

The WIN editors attempt to include a wide range of articles and commentary in the Weekly Notes to inform and educate our readers. However, the views expressed in the articles are purely those of the authors, and in no way reflect support or endorsement from the WIN editors or the AFIO officers and staff. We welcome comments from the WIN readers on any and all articles and commentary.

CAVEATS: IMPORTANT: AFIO does not "vet" or endorse research inquiries, career announcements, or job offers. Reasonable-sounding inquiries and career offerings are published as a service to our members, and for researchers, educators, and subscribers. You are urged to exercise your usual caution and good judgment when responding, and should verify the source independently before supplying any resume, career data, or personal information.]
If you are having difficulties with the links or viewing this newsletter when it arrives by email, members may view the latest edition each week at this link.

---

Continuing Series of Cryptologic Museum Webinars on Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Virtual Classroom
ONLINE CYBERSECURITY CHATS by the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation

The Cyber Center for Education and Innovation (CCEI) have been conducting a series of Cybersecurity Chats as part of their special CCEI Cybersecurity Series. These online chats for K-12 students [but older ages would benefit, too], are presented by cybersecurity professionals and experts. General information on the series is here.

There are many online chats that follow and they may be found here.

If you wish to share your own cybersecurity/cryptology expertise, review the instructions here

---

Recommended Reads:

More from "SpyTalk" Series

Nov 28: "Biden Could Score Another First at CIA" by Jeff Stein
Former DIA chief and retired Marine Corps General Vincent Stewart is in the running
Article continues here

Nov 27: "Iran Threatens Revenge 'Like a Thunderbolt'" by Elaine Shannon
The assassination of its top nuclear scientist resets the diplomatic table
Article continues here

Nov 27: "Fear and Loathing on the House Intelligence Committee, Part Deux" by Patricia Ravalgi
The September 11, 2001 terror attacks lays bare the oversight panel's dysfunction
Article continues here

Nov 25: "Fear and Loathing on the House Intelligence Committee" by Patricia Ravalgi
Can a new Congress fix an old problem? Don't hold your breath, says a former staffer
Article continues here

Readers can subscribe for free at the moment here.

---

Special Life Insurance Offer for Our Members:

With Open Season upon us, we created a new announcement regarding the VOYA Life Insurance program for Federal Employees. This program is very competitive and in many cases saves Feds thousands of dollars when compared to FEGLI. The coverage can be provided either as a replacement to FEGLI or as supplemental coverage. In either case, it is underwritten by VOYA, one of the country's largest Life Insurance organizations and provided by Starr Wright USA.

For full details click image above or here.

---

One of the special benefits of membership in AFIO: access to CIA's inhouse gift shop — the EAA Store.

It requires a quick preapproval process described here to all newly joined and current AFIO members. And then allows you to purchase online their unusual logo'd gift items for self or colleagues. Here is the latest photo EAA released on November 24th featuring some of their newest items:

---

Writers, Officers: Please Provide A Brief Article for This Ongoing AFIO History Project

AFIO's educational project "When Intelligence Made a Difference" seeks writers to identify events throughout history involving any nation or organization when the outcome was affected significantly by intelligence.
AFIO has been publishing edited submissions serially in Intelligencer released two to three times a year. 
To see what has been published, it is available here. Also look at the Fall edition of the journal arriving in the mail of all members and subscribers over the next three weeks.
Those readers interested in contributing an article, should email peter.oleson@afio.com.
For instructors, this project makes a great class assignment. Accepted articles give students a publication credit in a recognized journal.

---

Guide to the Study of Intelligence and When Intelligence Made a Difference

"AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence" has sold out in hard-copy.
However, it is available in digital form in its entirety on the AFIO website here.

Also available on the website here are the individual articles of AFIO's history project "When Intelligence Made a Difference" that have been published to date in The Intelligencer journal. More articles will be forthcoming in future editions.

---

Special Items for our members:

During this end of year, gift-giving season, we encourage you to give to AFIO and help us celebrate the selfless service and sacrifice of the thousands of dedicated men and women who have served without recognition in the U.S. Intelligence Community. And enable us to encourage, advise, and support the career interests of the next generation of Intelligence Officers. If you are ready to "give back"...please donate here.

Latest Video: "U.S. Strategy Towards North Korea"

Released 1 December 2020

Bruce Klingner
former CIA Deputy Division Chief for Korea; Heritage Foundation Fellow
on "U.S. Strategy Towards North Korea"

Interview of Monday, 9 November 2020 of Bruce Klingner, former CIA's Deputy Division Chief for Korea; Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia, The Heritage Foundation.

Interviewer - John Sano, former Deputy Director of CIA's National Clandestine Service; Intelligence Professor at two colleges. Host: James Hughes, AFIO President, a former CIA Operations Officer.

TOPIC: Bruce Klingner and John Sano discuss many issues facing the incoming Biden Administration as it responds to North Korea and the tendency of that Hermit Kingdom to test new administrations with early provocations and taunts. Includes: human rights issues, missile launch threats, odd disappearances of Kim Jong-un and his likely successors, impacts of pandemic, relations with China, money laundering, and assassinations of relatives and others. Also parses possible new economic and trade approaches with South Korea. The interview runs 37 minutes which includes numerous Q&As.

Access Klingner video here or click above image.

Seth Jones PhD, Director, Transnational Threats Project, CSIS on "A Covert Action"

Everette Jordan, Dep Asst Sec for IC Integration, Office of Intel and Analysis, Treasury on "Enjoying a Rich, Challenging Intelligence Career Spanning Multiple Agencies."

David Robarge, CIA Chief Historian, PDB Editor on "The Complexities of Counterintelligence"

Nicholas Dujmović, Professor, Author, former CIA Historian, PDB Editor on "Guidelines and Experiences Teaching Intelligence at the University Level"

Shelby Pierson, Election Threats Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence on "Nationwide Election Security"

David Priess PhD, Author, former Senior CIA Analyst and PDB Briefer on "The President's Book of Secrets"

Bruce Riedel, former CIA Senior Analyst, Served on National Security Council during Iraq War on "Early Gulf War Policy Decisions"

Martin C. Faga, former Director, National Reconnaissance Office on "NRO Support to the Gulf War"

Joseph W. Augustyn, former CIA Clandestine Services Officer on "CIA's Role in the Creation of the Department of Homeland Security"

Series Introduction: Stewart Baker, Chairman, and James Hughes, President

Visit, Follow, Subscribe to AFIO's LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Members who use social media or wish to explore, will find new announcements and other material on AFIO's Twitter and LinkedIn pages. New videos on our YouTube page appears below as well.
Access them here: LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. By following or subscribing on those sites, one can be notified as new material appears.
  

Other items brought to our attention:

"Stopping the Spread: Pandemics, Warning, and the IC" by James Danoy - A report by the National Security Institute at George Mason University's Scalia Law School. Summarizes the Intelligence Community's (IC) focus on the national security threat posed by the spread of infectious diseases. Argues that the IC, with its unique collection and analytic capabilities, can contribute value-added assistance to the public health community's world-wide threat monitoring and containment efforts. Proposes actionable recommendations to enhance the U.S.' ability to detect and warn of global pathogenic outbreaks in order to implement effective mitigation measures. Author Danoy is a DIA career intelligence officer.
QUOTES: "The IC should work with the other so-called 'Five Eyes' partners to increase the collection and analysis priority of medical intelligence within each respective intelligence service."
"…The IC should develop a dedicated IC global health threat warning problem set in collaboration with the CDC."

More information on report here. Download publication here.

POLLARD... But is HE a HERO? By Jeff Dunetz in The Jewish Press, 25 November 2020.
The Justice Department announced Friday that former Navy intelligence analyst and convicted spy Jonathan Pollard has completed his parole. Pollard's will finally be allowed to make Alyiah (move to Israel). I am happy his too-long prison sentence and his parole are finally over. His imprisonment/parole was way too long. Jonathan Pollard is no hero. When discussing the announcement of Jonathan' Pollard's parole with some friends (most of whom were Americans), I was surprised to hear that some of them felt that Pollard should be greeted in Israel as a returning hero. My response (which surprised many of them) was that he was not a hero and should be treated as a mercenary who sold out his country for money. [AFIO's former chairman, Spike Bowman, is cited in this news analysis]. Article continues here.

Edward Snowden: An Updated Assessment
Driven by recent concerns that Trump might be considering pardons for Snowden and Assange, AFIO's Intelligencer Editor, Peter Oleson, has allowed the early release of his forthcoming update reassessing Snowden. His earlier paper on the subject is also linked below.

Reassessing Edward Snowden: Whistleblower, Traitor, or Spy? [Pre-publication version. Final to be released in print in Spring 2021 edition of Intelligencer]

Assessing Edward Snowden: Whistleblower, Traitor, or Spy? (from Intelligencer Vol 21, No. 2, Summer 2015)

Important clarification on item in prior WIN about new DNI: Though AFIO's WIN provides links to the original source where comments or corrections about articles can be made directly to the journalist or author, we felt this brief note was worth bringing to your attention:

You've probably gotten this several times already: The prospective new DNI will not "oversee the ....the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council..." She will advise both councils as well the president. Perhaps another quibble on the DNI's role in law (and practice thanks to DNI Clapper) over the NIP; oversee may be too weak a descriptor. The DNI determines the NIP and can exercise several other management authorities. e,g. providing "exclusive direction" to OMB on apportioning NIP budget authority.
We thank member R.M. for this clarification.

Intelligence Briefings: From Convention Through Transition (from Council on Intelligence Issues).
View these timely and enlightening webinars featuring former intelligence professionals sharing their experiences in planning and presenting pre-inauguration intelligence briefings. Whether you missed the "live" events or simply want a breath of fresh air during this period of transition turmoil, I think you'll enjoy these videos:
September 23 event, co-hosted with the Spy Museum.
October 23 discussion, co-hosted with the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI).
Presented by the non-profit Council on Intelligence Issues (CII), panelists shared their experiences and insights on how CIA and the intelligence community prepare for these briefings, how briefers remain non-political, what happened when asked about getting "the good stuff," and more. Moderated by Dr. Mark Lowenthal, noted author, educator, and former Assistant DCI for Analysis and Production, these panels featured: John McLaughlin, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of Central Intelligence (2000-2004); Dawn Eilenberger, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Assistant DNI for Policy & Strategy; Peter Clement, Chief of CIA's Presidential Transition Team (2008); and John Moseman, previously Senior Advisor to the DNI's Transition Teams for the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections.

Harvard's Belfer Center Offering Online Executive Education Programs in Intelligence and Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology January 11-15, 2021

Newly Released, Overlooked, or Forthcoming Books

The China Nightmare: The Grand Ambitions of a Decaying State
by Dan Blumenthal
(AEI Press, Oct 2020)

A book about China's grand strategy and its future as an ambitious, declining, and dangerous rival power. Once the darling of U.S. statesmen, corporate elites, and academics, the People's Republic of China has evolved into America's most challenging strategic competitor. Its future appears increasingly dystopian. This book tells the story of how China got to this place and analyzes where it will go next and what that will mean for the future of U.S. strategy. Blumenthal makes an extraordinarily compelling case that China's future could be dark and the free world must prepare accordingly.
"A perfectly timed diagnosis of the threat that the Chinese Communist Party poses to the free world. Daniel Blumenthal explains what Chinese leaders want and how they intend to get it. The China Nightmare makes clear that if the Party were to achieve its ambitions, the world would be less free and less safe. The author also provides a compelling prescription for how the United States and like-minded partners must compete effectively to prevent the disease of authoritarianism from spreading. — H.R. McMaster

Book may be ordered here.

Snow Mountain Misfits: Cold War Tales of the Super Secret Army Security Agency
by Jeremiah Davis
(Independent, Oct 2020)

Life at the U.S. Army Security Agency (ASA) Cold War listening post atop Snow Mountain during the mid-1960s. ASA recruited the brightest of enlistees into its ranks of linguists, intelligence analysts, and technicians from late 1945 until it was absorbed into the Intelligence and Security Command at the end of 1976. Many recruits were college dropouts or flunk-outs. Most were reluctant soldiers who volunteered for ASA instead of being drafted into the infantry. Some served on remote mountaintops like Schneeberg on the West German border with the Communist bloc. Discipline was lax at these outposts, and alcohol and immaturity sometimes led to incidents and adventures that would strain the credulity of by-the-book soldiers. This book peeks behind the curtain of secrecy that screened the men of these ASA detachments from the "real" Army. Come join Jolly Ollie, Whiskey Man, Lurch, and other misfits as they soldier ASA-style through a year at a border site. You'll probably be a little sad when it comes time for you to leave, but you will have enjoyed your visit. [The author is an AFIO member]

Book may be ordered here.

Section I - INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Section II - CONTEXT & PRECEDENCE

Section III - COMMENTARY

Section IV - Research Requests, Jobs, Obituaries

Research Requests

Did you work in CIA's Alec Station or bin Laden Issue Station?
Author of four-volume history of anti-American terrorism at home and abroad from Eisenhower through Trump administrations would like to connect with anyone who worked in the CIA's Alec Station or Bin Laden Issue Station for assistance in writing an accurate profile of the unit for volume III (Clinton and Bush administrations). Please contact Dennis Pluchinsky at dpluchinsky@rocketmail.com.

The Vienna Tunnel - "Operation Silver" - Researcher Seeks More Info

After retiring from the CIA I ended up living in Vienna, Austria and got interested in the "Vienna Tunnel."  It was a SIS/MI6 operation from 1949-52 or so which tapped Soviet phone lines between Soviet HQs and Moscow. It was the inspiration for the Berlin Tunnel in that same era. Very little information has been made public about the Vienna Tunnel and much of the information doesn't seem to make sense. If you have any ideas for how to find this tunnel or knowledge about this operation I would love to hear from you at hholmer1@gmail.com. Than you in advance,  -Hans

Did you know: Eloise Page, Elizabeth Sudmeier, Adelaide Hawkins, or Mary Hutchison at CIA? Or have insights on Women in Intelligence? Please assist this author.

Nathalia Holt, Ph.D., author of Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women who Propelled Us from Missiles to the Moon to Mars, is writing a book about the history of women at the CIA during the Cold War. She is eager to interview retired and active intelligence professionals, both men and women, to gather insight into the role of women at the CIA. She is particularly interested in those who knew Eloise Page, Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, and Elizabeth Sudmeier. The CIA public affairs office is cooperating. The book will be published by Penguin Random House. The aim is to highlight the untold successes of the CIA during the early Cold War period and the role of women officers. If you would be willing to chat and share your insights, please contact Nathalia at nathaliaholt@gmail.com or 805-616-1690 (phone, text or Signal app). Holt's book Rise of the Rocket Girls was a New York Times best-seller and received glowing reviews. USA Today called her book, "Illuminating… these women are vividly depicted at work, at play, in and out of love, raising children — and making history. What a team — and what a story!" Her work has appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Slate, Popular Science, and Time. She is a former fellow at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University.

Replies to Nathalia Holt PhD at nat@nathaliaholt.com. More info on this author at https://www.nathaliaholt.com/ or @nathaliaholt

Jobs

Full Time Assistant Professor for Intelligence Studies Program at Catholic University, Washington, DC

AFIO Members with Academic Credentials! Potential Full Time Teaching Opportunity in 2022 in Catholic University's Intelligence Program
University located at 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC

Former CIA officer and staff historian Nicholas Dujmovic retired in 2016 to become the founding director of the Intelligence Studies Program at the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. The program is successful and growing. The undergraduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies currently has 76 students enrolled--the largest such program on campus. The program continues to expand the number of intelligence courses offered, as well as their variety.

Dr. Dujmovic is optimistic that a full time position at the assistant professor level will open in the summer of 2022.
He is reaching out early to the AFIO community to identify potential candidates with the following attributes:

• Significant service (at least 15 years) as a professional intelligence officer involved in analysis, operations, technical collection, or possibly support. A recent retiree closing a successful career would be ideal.
• A Ph.D. from an accredited university in political science, history, area studies, a comparable field or a relevant STEM field.
• Teaching experience at the university level, either undergraduate or graduate.
• Evidence of past scholarship and a willingness to engage in further research and publication, consistent with CUA's commitment to excellence as a "research university."
• An enthusiasm for teaching and advising mostly undergraduate students.

AFIO members wishing to learn more are encouraged to contact Dr. Dujmovic at dujmovic@cua.edu.

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice - UTEP - University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso's College of Liberal Arts, Department of Criminal Justice, is seeking a full-time tenure-track "Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice."
Position Description: The position begins Fall 2021 at the Assistant Professor level. Responsibilities include conducting and publishing scholarly research, seeking extramural funding, teaching face-to-face and online courses, and service to the department, university, and profession.
About UTEP: The University of Texas at El Paso is a Carnegie R1 and Community Engaged research university in the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region, in a bicultural metroplex of over 800,000 people. UTEP faculty are nationally recognized for their commitment to student success, teaching, and research. UTEP enrolls more than 25,000 students, of whom nearly 80 percent are Latino/Latina. UTEP provides equal access and social mobility for over 50% of its student body of first generation students. UTEP comprises 10 academic colleges/schools. The Department of CJ offers an online B.A. in Security Studies, a Master of Science in Intelligence and National Security and a Master of Defense and Strategic Studies. The department also offers a B.A. in Criminal Justice, an equivalent 100% online B.A., and an M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Criminology or closely related field in Intelligence and/or Security Studies from an accredited university. ABD applicants will be considered if doctorate will be completed by Fall 2021. Active research agenda and published scholarly journal articles are required to apply. Applicants with only a J.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. will not be considered.
Preferred Areas: All research/teaching areas of criminal justice and criminology will be considered, but preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated teaching and/or research areas in at least one of these areas: security studies, open source intelligence, or quantitative methods/statistics.
Application Instructions and Contact Information: To apply, visit https://www.utep.edu/employment Applicants must electronically submit: (1) letter of interest that includes teaching areas and research expertise, (2) curriculum vita, (3) one scholarly publication or dissertation manuscript, and (4) names and full contact information of three references that we may contact. If you have questions about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Egbert Zavala, at EgbertZ@utep.edu.
Application Review Date: Review of applications will begin October 5th, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled.
Hiring decisions are based on budget approval. To explore UTEP, do so here. To apply for the position, contact Dr. Zavala at EgbertZ@utep.edu.

JTSUSA Has numerous career and part-time assignments available for cleared former military personnel. See listing here. Or contact Arnie.Gerstein@jtsusa.com or visit www.jtsusa.com 

Adjunct instructors at the University of Texas at El Paso (US)
The National Security Studies Institute at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) (see their website here) is seeking adjunct instructors to teach online graduate-level courses:
Legal Issues in Intelligence and National Security
Propaganda and Influence Operations
Intelligence and Counterterrorism
Political Economy of Terrorism
Risk Analysis
Emergency Management
Public Health and Homeland Security
A PhD in public policy, security studies, political science, or a related field is required.
Interested and eligible applicants should contact Stephen Coulthart (sjcoulthart@utep.edu).

Obituaries

Joan Catherwood, OSS Employee
Joan Kelly Catherwood, 97, former OSS Employee, died 29 October 2020 in Easton, MD.
Born in the Bronx, NY, she grew up in New Jersey and attended Ridgewood High School, followed by Georgetown Visitation College in Washington, DC.
Early in World War II she worked in the New York City office of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Joan transcribed meetings, and reports of OSS agents overseas.
She had a 20+ year career working at Adelphi University. She retired to St Michaels, MD and was active in Easton's Memorial Hospital's Volunteer Auxiliary (now University of Maryland Shore Hospital), as well as in committees at Perry Cabin in St Michaels. She moved to Easton, MD and was living at William Hill Manor, now Bayleigh Chase.
She was an insightful critic of life's absurdity, hated squirrels and green vegetables, loved sausage for breakfast, and made coffee so strong that nobody else could drink it.
Although she had been a lifelong Northeasterner, she loved life by the Chesapeake Bay, and came to understand that "this is just the way things are on the Eastern Shore" when a tradesperson didn't show up for an appointment.
She will be greatly missed by her large family and many friends—including her daughters, sons, and other family.

Roger Fontaine, Former Director Latin American Affairs, NSC
Roger Warren Fontaine, 79, former Director Latin American Affairs, NSC; IWP Professor, died 5 November 2020 in Arlington, VA. He was the son-in-law of the late CIA DI Ray S. Cline.
Prof. Fontaine was an expert on Latin American affairs. He was a national security-minded expert who never indulged in either the willful blindness or the ideological biases that afflicted large parts of the Latin American studies community in this country.
His clearheaded and sober recognition of the Soviet and Cuban subversion in our hemisphere attracted the attention of Governor Ronald Reagan, who enlisted Roger's assistance as one of his foreign policy advisors. At a time of major national debate about surrendering U.S. control over the Panama Canal, Governor Reagan relied heavily on Roger for counsel. Roger then became a candidate to serve as the Director of Latin American Affairs at the National Security Council, serving as President Reagan's chief White House advisor in that field.
His other professional activities included serving as Diplomatic Correspondent with Tiempos del Mundo, as a consultant to the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States, and as Director of Latin American Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
In addition to his regional area specialization, Fontaine had a broad understanding of world history and overall U.S. national security policy. An integrated strategic thinker, he served as a popular role model for students.
He was a longtime professor at the Institute of World Politics teaching U.S.-Latin American Relations. He also taught the foundational course on International Relations, Statecraft, and Integrated Strategy.
Roger was a remarkably modest man whose spirit was always dedicated to serving a cause higher than himself.
Former Deputy National Counterintelligence Executive and IWP Professor Emeritus Kenneth deGraffenreid commented: "I mourn the passing of my good friend and truly Great American, Roger Fontaine. We joined the Reagan NSC staff on the same evening, and I have admired Roger's work all these years since."
Robert McFarlane, who served as National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, said: "Roger was so much more than a scholar: he was a man of immeasurable empathy, personal devotion and determination; a visionary man dedicated to advancing sound American policy and enlightened support for the people of Central and South America."
His wife Judith M Fontaine (daughter of former Dir of Intelligence Ray Cline) died in 2001. He is survived by a son, a daughter, and other family.

George Wittman, CIA Case Officer, Author, Consultant
George Harold Wittman, 91, CIA Case Officer, Author, Consultant, died 16 November 2020 in Gold Canyon, AZ.
Mr. Wittman was born in New York City. Finishing high school in Princeton, NJ, he went on to attend Trinity College in Hartford, CT where he studied government. As he entered his senior year in the fall of 1950, just months after the start of the Korean War, Wittman joined the Army Reserve with the intention of working towards his commission. Upon his graduation, with honors, in the spring of 1951, Wittman was instead recruited into the recently formed Central Intelligence Agency. By January 1952 he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany where he rose to the position of case officer. As his career developed, he undertook extensive sensitive assignments across the globe. He worked in this capacity until 1968.
In addition to his CIA career, Wittman took over direction of the family's mining and international trade business, established in 1885. Wittman incorporated the firm as G.H.Wittman, Inc. and shifted the organization's focus to political and economic consulting with particular concentration on Africa and the Middle East.
Later, in the 1970s, Wittman broadened the firm's research and analysis work to include international security and political risk management. Working under contract with the Hudson Institute, he wrote policy briefs and analysis for the DOD. He founded the Middle East Newsletter in the late 1970s. Later, Mr. Wittman served as founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy, a nonprofit devoted to research on technological and policy aspects of national defense. By the mid-1980s he had been tapped to lecture periodically at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA on the topics of Middle East politics and terrorism. His expertise also led to a decade-long consulting relationship with the FBI's New York field office.
Mr. Wittman retired to Florida in 1996, and later relocated to Arizona. In retirement he continued to write and offer analysis on international affairs and security matters. He was a regular contributor to several publications including the American Spectator, The Washington Times, and AND Magazine. He wrote several novels: A Matter of Intelligence (1975) and There was a Time (to be published in 2021).
He was known for his intelligence, quick wit, love of debate, and suave manner. Above all, he viewed and presented himself as an American patriot, resisting political affiliation and committed to what he believed was in the best interest of the nation. Beyond his work, he had a breadth of intellectual interests and often spoke eloquently and extemporaneously on topics of history, the arts, and culture.
He enjoyed two marriages: first to Joyce Clark Wittman (d. 1966), and then to Geraldine Wittman (d. 2015). He is survived by four children and other family. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Section V - Events

AFIO EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN COMING TWO MONTHS....

3 Dec 2020, 11:30 a.m. CST - Virtual - "Lessons Learned from 25 Years in Counter-Terrorism" - CIA Operations Officer Bob Dougherty at this San Antonio, TX Chapter virtual event

In the short presentation "Lessons Learned from 25 Years in Counter-Terrorism," veteran CIA operations officer Bob Dougherty utilizes real-world examples from his long operational career with the Agency to illustrate some major lessons he learned throughout his time in the field focused on Counter-Terrorism. Some of these lessons were learned the hard way, and some were taught and demonstrated to him by fellow CIA officers.

Meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time. If already a SA Chapter Member, mark your calendar. You will be sent a link for the online presentation prior to the meeting. If not a member, contact President John Franklin johntf3@gmail.com.
There is no charge to attend these meetings.

Wednesday, 9 December 2020, 12 noon PST - Virtual via Zoom - The "Andre Le Gallo" San Francisco Chapter hosts Farhad Mansourian on The Islamic Republic of Iran and the new United States Administration

This meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Registration link is here.

Farhad Mansourian is a former anti-terrorist officer in the Iranian Imperial Army at the time when Islamic Fundamentalists were attempting to overthrow the 2500 year old Monarchy in Iran. Upon the fall of the Shah of Iran, Mr. Mansourian escaped to the United States where he has remained active and in close contact with current Iranian & Middle East events.

Mr. Mansourian has provided high level analysis on Iranian, Middle Eastern and Islamic issues for local, state and numerous federal agencies including the Pentagon, the White House, Pacific Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), DEA and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, California. He is the author of many articles published in a variety of national and international publications and numerous radio and television appearances.

Mr. Mansourian brings a unique hands-on and insightful perspectives on the latest events in the Middle East. Some of the topics presented will include: the decision making process in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the role of security and intelligence agencies in that process; upcoming June 2021 Presidential election in Iran, The Biden Administration, The Trump Administration arms deal; what the Iranian leaders say, what they hope for and what the Iranian people want.

Other Upcoming Events from Advertisers, Corporate Sponsors, and Others

The International Spy Museum has reopened to visitors.

Click here to explore events, exhibits, and ticketing.

Upcoming virtual (and a few live, post-quarantine) events at the International Spy Museum. Click event to explore and register for event. All virtual events require pre-registration.
Access all upcoming Spy Museum events directly from their website: https://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/upcoming/1/

Sunday, 6 December 2020, 2-3:30 pm - Virtual - Cold War Museum hosts presentation by Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise on "Evading the Best: How We Learned to Conduct Successful Intelligence Operations in Cold War Moscow."

The Cold War Museum invites you to attend a presentation by Jonna Mendez, former CIA Chief of Disguise on "Evading the Best: How We Learned to Conduct Successful Intelligence Operations In Cold War Moscow."
Jonna Mendez will talk about her 2019 book, The Moscow Rules, written with her husband Tony Mendez of ARGO fame, with Matt Baglio. The book discusses the CIA's rules of comportment when working on the streets of Moscow, which was perhaps the most difficult environment in the world in which to conduct intelligence operations during the Cold War, given the KGB's high level of competence and surveillance manpower. She will also talk about her next book, being drafted during this quarantine period, a memoir of her career overseas as a female CIA technical operations officer. And she has indicated that she'll tell us some interesting stories about situations where identity changes via disguise have helped solve difficult problems in intelligence operations in the field.
Jonna Mendez is a retired CIA officer with 27 years of service. During her career she lived overseas undercover on multiple assignments, serving tours of duty in Europe, South Asia, and the Far East.
This is the 38th in a series of presentations sponsored by the Museum featuring eyewitnesses to, and other experts on, significant Cold War events and activities.
Cost: $20, 100% of which is a contribution to the Cold War Museum.
ONLINE ONLY. Eventbrite ticket buyers will receive a link to the virtual room on the Zoom platform where this event will take place. We are recording the whole event, including the Q&A, for the Museum's archives.
Information and Tickets here.
Questions: jason@coldwar.org

MORE GIFT IDEAS:

In addition to the new Royal Blue long sleeve shirts, and the gray long sleeve hooded sweatshirts, the AFIO Store also has the following items ready for quick shipment:

NEW: LONG and Short-Sleeved Shirts with embroidered AFIO Logo and New Mugs with color-glazed permanent logo

Show your support for AFIO with our new Polo Shirts. Be the first to buy these new, high quality, subtle heathered grey short sleeve shirts, and dark blue long sleeved shirts, of shrink and wrinkle resistant fine cotton with a soft 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 $45 each including shipping.
Sizes of (M) men or (W) women shirts; Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, and XXXL. At this time all orders will arrive as Short Sleeve shirts.
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. If interested in other shirt colors or sleeve lengths, contact Annette at: annettej@afio.com.

Available as a thank you for donations are the new AFIO logo face masks:

These soft, form-fitting, washable, non-medical grade fabric face masks have wide behind-the-ear elastics to make long periods of wear comfortable. Also easier to quickly put on or take off. Blue on outside, white inside. The masks do not have a nose wire but are sculpted, shaped, and sewn to fit most users. The all-cloth composition allows the masks to be washed or steam-disinfected without concerns over metal wires. The color logo is washable and a permanent part of the mask.

The masks, however, are not for sale. They are being offered strictly as a thank you gift to our donors.
For tax-deductible donations of $50 you will receive a receipt and our thank you gift of two of these newly-arrived face masks.
Donations of $100 receive four masks to be sent to the same address. Other amounts and split-shipments are available.
To donate now to support AFIO's programs and publications, please do so here.

We wish all members and donors continued good health, safe social distancing, and warmly appreciate any support you are able to provide the association.

AFIO 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.

Guide to the Study of Intelligence and When Intelligence Made a Difference

"AFIO's Guide to the Study of Intelligence" has sold out in hard-copy.
However, it is available in digital form in its entirety on the AFIO website here.

Also available on the website here are the individual articles of AFIO's history project "When Intelligence Made a Difference" that have been published to date in The Intelligencer journal. More articles will be forthcoming in future editions.

Disclaimers and Removal Instructions

Weekly Intelligence Notes (WINs) are commentaries on Intelligence and related national security matters, based on open media sources, selected, interpreted, edited and produced for non-profit educational uses by members and WIN subscribers.

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS: We do not wish to add clutter to inboxes. To discontinue receiving the WINs:

a) IF YOU ARE A MEMBER - click here: UNSUBSCRIBE and supply your full name and email address where you receive the WINs. Click SEND, you will be removed from list. If this link doesn't open a blank email, create one on your own and send to afio@afio.com with the words: REMOVE FROM WINs as the subject, and provide your full name and email address where you are currently receiving them.

b) IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER, and you received this message, someone forwarded this newsletter to you [contrary to AFIO policies]. Forward to afio@afio.com the entire WIN or message you received and we will remove the sender from our membership and distribution lists. The problem will be solved for both of us.

CONTENTS of this WIN [HTML version recipients - Click title to jump to story or section, Click Article Title to return to Contents. This feature does not work for Plaintext Edition or for some AOL recipients]. If you wish to change to HTML format, let us know at afio@afio.com. The HTML feature also does not work for those who access their e-mail using web mail...however NON-HTML recipients may view the latest edition each week in HTML at this link: https://www.afio.com/pages/currentwin.htm

WINs are protected by copyright laws and intellectual property laws, and may not be reproduced or re-sent without specific permission from the Producer. Opinions expressed in the WINs are solely those of the editor's or author's listed with each article. AFIO Members Support the AFIO Mission - sponsor new members! CHECK THE AFIO WEBSITE at www.afio.com for back issues of the WINs, information about AFIO, conference agenda and registrations materials, and membership applications and much more!

(c) 1998 thru 2020. AFIO, 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 470 East, Falls Church, VA 22043-2004. Voice: (703) 790-0320; Fax: (703) 991-1278; Email: afio@afio.com