Author Archives: L

The CIA Book of Honor — Star 121 : Mark S. Rausenberger (November 7, 1967 – May 23, 2016) [UPDATE : CIA Team Alpha’s iconic photo]

“There are now 125 stars on our Memorial Wall, each representing a life that is dear to us, and will be for all time. We remain forever devoted to them, as they were to us. And we will strive to … Continue reading

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On This Day — Richard Sorge “The spy who changed the world” is arrested in Tokyo (October 18, 1941) [UPDATE : A Fresh Look at a Legendary Spy (New Japanese Translation of Richard Sorge’s Reports from Tokyo)]

“Richard Sorge’s brilliant espionage work saved Stalin and the Soviet Union from defeat in the fall of 1941, probably prevented a Nazi victory in World War II and thereby assured the dimensions of the world we live in today.” American … Continue reading

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On this Day — Mata Hari Is Executed (October 15 1917) [Was she really guilty?]

“A harlot? Yes, but a traitor, never!” Mata Hari (during the trial) October 15 2023 — Margaretha Geertruida “Margreet” MacLeod (Born Zelle; August 7 1876 – October 15 1917), better known by the stage name Mata Hari, was a Dutch … Continue reading

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On This Day — Che Guevara Is Executed (October 9 1967)

“The only passion that guides me is for the truth… I look at everything from this point of view.” Che Guevara June 14 1928 – October 9 1967   October 9 2023 — On this day in 1967, socialist revolutionary … Continue reading

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On This Day — Who Killed Pierre Goldman? And Why? (June 22, 1944 – Assassinated September 20, 1979) [UPDATE — New Movie : The Goldman Case]

“Marseille boys members of GAL killed him [Pierre Goldman] with Maïone, who also talked about a commandant, a former member of the SDECE [French Secret Service], without revealing to me his identity.” Libération (April 2006) September 20 2023 — Who … Continue reading

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On This Day — Gaddafi Target of U.S. Disinformation (October 2 1986 — Bob Woodward) [Disinformation Goes Mainstream]

“There is a wonderful book that you might read… And the title of it is from a quote from Winston Churchill: ‘In time of war, the truth is so precious, it must be attended by a bodyguard of lies.’” Secretary … Continue reading

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Remembering CIA Rachel A. Dean (April 10 1981 – September 30 2006)

“Rachel was a warm and compassionate young woman, and an officer of unbounded potential. We miss her still and will remember her always. She is our 87th star.” CIA Director General Michael V. Hayden May 21 2007 September 30 2023 … Continue reading

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Remembering Enrico Fermi (September 29 1901 – November 28 1954) — Think like a Physicist! How many workers were necessary to build Khufu’s pyramid? [Fermi Problems]

“For the making of the pyramid itself there passed a period of twenty years. They worked by a hundred thousand men at a time, for each three months continually.” Herodotus (484 – c. 425 BC) September 29 2023 — A ‘Fermi Question’ asks … Continue reading

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Lockerbie — Questions from a reader

“Intel Today is really providing top-notch analysis that is hard to find anywhere else.” Ulrich — Munich, Germany September 27 2023 — Last week, I received a message from a reader of Intel Today. With his authorization, I have decided … Continue reading

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40 Years Ago — Stanislav Petrov Saves the World from Nuclear War (September 26 1983)

“The siren howled. But I just sat there for a few seconds, staring at the big, back-lit, red screen with the word ‘LAUNCH’ on it.” Colonel Stanislav Petrov September 26 2023 — On September 26 1983 — just three weeks … Continue reading

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