On This Day — Soviet Union Launches SPUTNIK (October 4 1957) [UPDATE : Edward Mills Purcell (August 30, 1912 – March 7, 1997)]

Posted on March 7, 2025 by L

“On 4 October 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched the Sputnik-1 earth satellite into space—an achievement that stunned the American public and press, but not the U.S. policy and intelligence communities. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reported the advancements that led to this landmark launch to President Eisenhower, providing him with the strategic advantage to guide the U.S. response.”

CIA Website

(October 4 2017)

October 4 2024 — On October 4 1957, the Soviet Union launched SPUTNIK-1 into an elliptical low Earth orbit. It was a 58 cm (23 in) diameter polished metal sphere, with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses.

Its radio signal was easily detectable even by amateurs, and the 65° inclination and duration of its orbit made its flight path cover virtually the entire inhabited Earth. This surprise success precipitated the American Sputnik crisis and triggered the Space Race, a key part of the Cold War. The launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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On This Day — Havana Syndrome : The Haiku Master, the Cicadas and the CIA [UPDATE : DNI Statement on the Intelligence Community Assessment (March 1, 2023)]

Posted on March 1, 2025 by L

“One is reminded of Montaigne’s acerbic comment: ‘Men under stress are fools, and fool themselves.’ ”

Michael Crichton
The Andromeda Strain

March 1st 2024 — On March 1st 2023, the Director of National Intelligence Avril D. Haines announced that US Intelligence Community had concluded that it was ‘very unlikely’ a foreign adversary was responsible for the Havana Syndrome epidemics. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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Just Ask Molly Hale — The Differences Between the FBI and the CIA? [Joke]

Posted on February 26, 2025 by L

“The competing messages, according to officials in attendance, also reflect cultural differences between the FBI and the CIA. The bureau, true to its law enforcement roots, wants facts and tangible evidence to prove something beyond all reasonable doubt. The CIA is more comfortable drawing inferences from behavior.”

The Washington Post
(December 10, 2016)

February 10, 2019 — On February 4 2019, CIA Molly Hale went digital. A few days later, she answered a first question: What are the differences between the FBI and the CIA? Molly’s answer is fine but I thought a joke would explain a bit better the cultural differences between these two agencies! Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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On This Day — Remembering Swissair Flight 330 (February 21 1970) [UPDATE — The Lockerbie Connection: A very suspicious VISA]

Posted on February 21, 2025 by L

“The secret deal was ‘immoral’ and in breach of legal principles, but it was justified for strategic reasons. This might be absolutely shocking, but the reward was that there were no more attacks.”

Pr. Jean Ziegler

swiss330
Wreckage from the Swissair plane that crashed in a forest in Würenlingen

February 21 2025 — On February 21 1970 — a cold and wet Saturday — Swissair Flight 330, bound for Tel Aviv, crashed shortly after take-off from Zürich. Thirty eight passengers and nine crew died in the tragedy. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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On This Day — Former CIA Director Leon Panetta : “President Trump Must Build ‘Loyalty’ With Intel Community.” [UPDATE : From Lockerbie to Havana Syndrome]

Posted on February 20, 2025 by L

“Obviously, it’s not a good situation. Because there is a lack of trust between the president and the intelligence community, and between the intelligence community and the president. And, you know, every time he demeans the intelligence community or accuses it of leaks or accuses it of doing things that it’s not doing, that obviously impacts on the morale of that institution.”

Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta

Leon Panetta
Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta

February 20, 2017 — Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that intelligence officers were withholding sensitive information from the President out of concerns that it could be compromised.  Former C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta discusses the news and the ‘leaks’. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

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On This Day — USMC Col. William R. Higgins Is Abducted in Lebanon (February 17 1988) [UPDATE — The Lockerbie X FILE & The Story of US Major Charles – Chuck – Dennis McKee]

Posted on February 17, 2025 by L

“It clearly looked to me like the body was in what we call mummification, or early stages of mummification, which essentially means drying. Because of the drying certain areas become sunken like the eyes are sunken. If you look at the Higgins pictures, they certainly look that way. … I’m inclined to think he was dead before he was hanged.”

Dr. Werner Spitz
Professor of forensic pathology
Wayne State University

February 17 2025 — William Richard Higgins (January 15, 1945 – Unknown but declared dead on July 6, 1990) was a colonel in the United States Marine Corps who was captured on February 17 1988 while serving on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He was held hostage, tortured and eventually murdered by his captors. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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Lockerbie Lawyer Calls on Donald Trump to Release Secret Files

Posted on February 16, 2025 by L

“The families have waited far too long. They deserve transparency, truth and answers.”

Professor Peter Watson

February 16, 2025 — On December 21 1988, N739PA — the Boeing 747 aircraft operating the transatlantic leg of Pan Am Flight 103 — broke up in flight over Scotland. All 243 passengers and 16 crew died as well as 11 residents of Lockerbie. This horrific crime has been called the world’s biggest unsolved murder. 

Professor Peter Watson, a lawyer who represented British victims of the Lockerbie bombing, has called on Donald Trump to release files held by U.S. agencies on the atrocity, insisting the families “deserve transparency, truth, and answers.” Professor Watson is due to speak about the Pan Am 103 tragedy during a visit to Nova Southeastern University in Florida on Monday February 17, 2025. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

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On This day – U.S. Air Force Carpet Bombs Dresden (February 13-15 1945)

Posted on February 13, 2025 by L

“The Dresden atrocity, tremendously expensive and meticulously planned, was so meaningless, finally, that only one person on the entire planet got any benefit from it. I am that person. I wrote this book, which earned a lot of money for me and made my reputation, such as it is… One way or another, I got two or three dollars for every person killed. Some business I’m in.”

Kurt Vonnegut
About Dresden and his famous novel
Slaughterhouse-Five

February 13, 2025 — From February 13 to February 15 1945, during the final months of World War II (1939-45), Allied forces bombed the historic city of Dresden, located in Eastern Germany. I regard the bombing of Dresden as a war crime. I understand that one may disagree with me on this issue. Anyone is entitled to his own opinion. However, I expect everyone to acknowledge the facts because no one is entitled to his own facts. Former CIA Director John McLaughlin should not be allowed to ignore History and to make his own “In-facts”.  Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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On This Day — Mandela Is Released From Prison (February 11 1990)

Posted on February 12, 2025 by L

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
(July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013)

February 11 2025 — On February 11 1990 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela walked out of prison and embarked on a decade of historic endeavor. If you think that the COVID lockdown is too hard, you may want to consider this. Mandela spent almost 30 years in jail just for being a decent man. President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, Mandela nevertheless remained on the US terror watch list until 2008. This is hardly surprising. Like MI6, the CIA was among the “enemies of democracy in South Africa.” Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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On This Day — U2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers Exchanged in Spy Swap for KGB Rudolf Ivanovich Abel (February 10 1962)

Posted on February 10, 2025 by L

“Francis Gary Powers performed his duty in a very dangerous mission and he performed it well, and I think I know more about that than some of his detractors and critics know, and I am glad to say that to him tonight.”
 
CIA Director Allen Dulles
(March 1964)

 

Glienicke Bridge prisoner exchange depicted in the Bridge of Spies movie, where Soviet spy Rudolf Abel was exchanged for American pilot Francis Gary Powers

February 10 2025 — At 8:52 am on February 10 1962, American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was exchanged in a spy swap for Rudolf Ivanovich Abel, a senior KGB spy at the now famous Glienicke Bridge. American student Frederic Pryor was also released at the same time. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

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