Two Years Ago — Former CIA Director John McLaughlin Tells a Whopper: “We don’t blow up civilian airliners…”

Posted on February 10, 2019 by L

“We don’t blow up civilian airliners up in the air…”

Former CIA Director John McLaughlin

“The number, 655, is a flight number: Iran Air 655. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re far from alone. But you should know the story if you want to better understand why the United States and Iran so badly distrust one another.”

Washington Post

“The shoot-down of Iran Air flight 655 was an accident, but that is not how it was seen in Tehran. The Iranian government assumed that the attack had been purposeful. … Tehran convinced itself that Washington was trying to signal that the United States had decided to openly enter the war on Iraq’s side.”

Former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack

newsweekir655

Pictured here, Newsweek covers for 12 September 1983 (left) and 18 July 1988 (right) that illustrate KAL and Iran Air incidents respectively. A full-page photo of the airplane with “Murder in the Air” leaves little doubt in reader’s mind of who the culprits were, while “Why it Happened” with no graphic presentation of the airplane is accompanied by questioning and soul-searching

February 9 2017 — Former CIA Director John McLaughlin seems to suffer from ‘bad memory’. Let us kindly help this old chap to recollect some real facts. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today Continue reading →

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On This Day — U2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers Exchanged in Spy Swap for KGB Rudolf Ivanovich Abel (February 10 1962) [2019]

Posted on February 10, 2019 by L

“He [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

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. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 10, 2019 by L

“Meet Molly Hale. She’s been the CIA’s public voice since 2002, responding to faxes, phone calls, emails, and snail mail sent to the Agency. Now she’s going digital.”

CIA Website (February 4 2019)

“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

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 Continue reading →

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City of Spies — EEAS : “Hundreds of Chinese Spies in Brussels”

Posted on February 9, 2019 by L

Perhaps, the most puzzling part of the [Belgian Intelligence Services] report is what it does not mention. Although most countries are extremely concerned about China investments in their Telecom infrastructure, the Belgian report is silent on this issue. Why, on earth, why?”

Intel Today – December 3 2018

“Brussels has now overtaken Vienna when it comes to the density of so-called intelligence services from outside the EU.”

Peter Gridling — Head of Austria’s domestic intelligence agency (June 2018)

The internal security service of the European External Action Service warns of spies in Brussels. In particular, Russian and Chinese intelligence services are increasingly active.
Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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Trump to Nominate Daniel Hoffman to President’s Intelligence Advisory Board

Posted on February 9, 2019 by L

“Overall I have not seen any evidence of anyone actually colluding with the Russians.  [I have not seen any evidence ] of Russian intelligence colluding with a campaign to cause harm to another.”

Daniel Hoffman — Former CIA Chief of Station in Moscow (August 2017)

“A number of outspoken analysts bitterly criticized [Charles E.] Allen for bending his views to political expediency during the Iran initiative. Allen, they said, took advantage of his access to Casey to promote a political line – that an opening could be made to Iranian moderates-that could not be supported by the information they had gathered on Iran’s internal politics. Allen played the White House game, these critics claimed, by using contrived information provided by CIA consultant George Cave to support the Iran program. Charlie Allen briefed the NSC on the basis of Cave’s disinformation.”

Mark Perry — The Last Days of the CIA

On February 4 2019, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board: Daniel Hoffman of Massachusetts, Charles E. Allen of North Carolina, and John K. Hurley of California. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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TODAY — Chancellor Angela Merkel Inaugurates New BND Headquarters (February 8 2019)

Posted on February 8, 2019 by L

“A healthy distrust is helpful, but being overly suspicious is a hindrance.”

Chancellor Angela Merkel (February 8 2019)

“The Bundesnachrichtendienst is the sole foreign intelligence service of the Federal Republic of Germany. As such it reports directly to the Federal Chancellery.

The mission of the Bundesnachrichtendienst is to provide the Federal Government with fast and comprehensive information. Since nothing goes out-of-date quite as fast as up-to-date information, the security policy parameters within which the Bundesnachrichtendienst operates are constantly changing. We live in a multipolar world. Globalization intensifies mutual dependencies worldwide.

Present-day crises and conflicts are often highly dyna­mic and require rapid action from policymakers. New conflict types and conflict scenarios dominate the international arena.”

Scope of Work — BND Official website (2017)

On Friday February 8 2019, Chancellor Angela Merkel inaugurated the new, fortress-like Berlin headquarters of the BND, Germany’s foreign intelligence service. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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Havana Syndrome — Canadian Diplomats sue Ottawa

Posted on February 8, 2019 by L

“Throughout the crisis, Canada downplayed the seriousness of the situation, hoarded and concealed critical health and safety information, and gave false, misleading and incomplete information to diplomatic staff.”

Group of Canadian diplomats

“I am not going to comment on the specifics, but I do want to reiterate that I have met with some of these diplomats and, as I said to them, their health and safety needs to be our priority.”

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland

A group of Canadian diplomats says the government left them in danger after mysterious health problems struck embassies in Cuba.  Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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5G — Will European Countries Ban Huawei? [UPDATE — Italy to ban Huawei from its 5G plans]

Posted on February 7, 2019 by L

“Perhaps, the most puzzling part of the [Belgian Intelligence Services] report is what it does not mention. Although most countries are extremely concerned about China investments in their Telecom infrastructure, the Belgian report is silent on this issue. Why, on earth, why?”

Intel Today (November 30 2018)

“The UK needs to take decision on the extent to which we are going to be comfortable with Chinese ownership of these technologies.”

MI6 chief Alex Younger (December 3 2018)

“Given the massive cybersecurity and national security risks, the only responsible decision is for Berlin to follow the Australian, New Zealand, and U.S. lead and ban Chinese providers from the German 5G network. In doing so, Europe’s strongest economy would send a crucial signal to the rest of the European Union members that are grappling with the same decision.”

Thorsten Benner — Director of the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin (December 9 2018)

“Huawei shares with the Chinese state intimate and extensive knowledge of the foreign telecommunications systems it is involved with.”

General Michael Hayden — Former head of the U.S. National Security Agency

“If China would resort to putting Canadians to death to defend its corporate national champion, what might it do if the Chinese Communist Party had unfettered access to Canada’s vital communications networks?”

Richard Fadden — Head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service spy agency from 2009 to 2013 (January 20 2019)

December 5 2018 — The United States, Australia and New Zealand have already blocked Huawei from building their new 5G networks on security grounds. On Wednesday (Dec. 5), Britain’s BT Group said it would rip Huawei equipment from its core telecom network. Canada is also likely to ban Huawei.

On Friday (Dec. 7), it was reported that Japan is expected to ban government use of products made by Huawei and ZTE over cybersecurity concerns.

So, why on earth has Europe been silent on this critical issue for so long? What are they waiting for? I am afraid that it will all depend on Germany’s decision. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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Two Years Ago — Former Acting CIA Director Mike Morell : “Trump Has Some Special Bond With Putin”

Posted on February 7, 2019 by L

“President Donald Trump’s statements on Russia have been very bizarre and it suggests that he doesn’t have a good understanding of what Putin has done over a very long period of time.”

Former CIA Director Michael Morell

morell2

February 7 2017 — Former Acting CIA Director Michael Morell has suggested that Trump’s affection for Putin may be to blame on Russia having compromising material on Trump. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today Continue reading →

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On This Day — IRA Launches Mortar shells at 10 Downing Street (February 7 1991)

Posted on February 7, 2019 by L

“It was a remarkably good aim if you consider that the bomb was fired 250 yards [across Whitehall] with no direct line of sight. Technically, it was quite brilliant and I’m sure that many army crews, if given a similar task, would be very pleased to drop a bomb that close. You’ve got to park the launch vehicle in an area which is guarded by armed men and you’ve got less than a minute to do it. I was very, very surprised at how good it was. If the angle of fire had been moved about five or ten degrees, then those bombs would actually have impacted on Number Ten.”

Peter Gurney — Head of the Explosives Section of the Anti-Terrorist Branch

The Downing Street mortar attack was carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) on February 7 1991. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY Continue reading →

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