Blogs of War
  • Home
  • About
  • Podcast
  • Podcast Episodes
  • Resources
  • Help Ukraine
  • Contact
Subscribe
Spotting and Combating Russian Disinformation
Russia

Spotting and Combating Russian Disinformation

Russia's military may be floundering, along with their overt messaging on the war, but their disinformation machine continues to pose a threat in many ways and in many places that receive far too little attention.
Apr 29, 2022 — 2 min read
Russia-Ukraine: Prepare for a Long War
Russia-Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine: Prepare for a Long War

Ukraine has won itself some surprising advantages in the early stages of the war but those can fade quickly if Russia settles in and continues to carry out low risk standoff attacks on civilian centers.
Mar 19, 2022 — 2 min read
Russia-Ukraine: Where Do We Go From Here?
Russia-Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine: Where Do We Go From Here?

The war is less than three weeks old and while there may be more good news than expected, thanks to Ukrainian bravery and allied unity, destabilizing chaos could reign at any moment.
Mar 14, 2022 — 5 min read
Putin's Nuclear Option
Russia-Ukraine

Putin's Nuclear Option

Nuclear escalation isn't a certainty but it is a frighteningly realistic possibility. Putin has both the capability and the ruthlessness to do the unthinkable. Too many have written off his history of clear and aggressive signals on the subject as the common chest thumpings of a dictator.
Mar 11, 2022 — 3 min read
Putin Steers Russia Into The Abyss
Russia-Ukraine

Putin Steers Russia Into The Abyss

The alliance is rising to the occasion while Putin's offensive falters and looks to cost him more than he likely expected. The stakes are now astronomically high and Putin will have to double down on a path that leads to destruction or pull back and face a humiliating defeat. He has no good options.
Feb 27, 2022 — 7 min read
Is the Russian Military Faltering in Ukraine?
Russia-Ukraine

Is the Russian Military Faltering in Ukraine?

The expected Russian blitzkrieg has not shocked or awed observers and the Ukrainian resistance is inflicting losses on the Russian invaders. Is Russia rolling into this slower than expected or have we overestimated their military might?
Feb 26, 2022 — 6 min read
About Those Allied Sanctions
Russia-Ukraine

About Those Allied Sanctions

The current sanctions package delivers a body blow to the Russian economy but it isn't the knockout punch that many people were hoping for (and which may not exist anyway). On the bright side the alliance is strengthening and positioning itself well for an extended effort counter to Putin.
Feb 25, 2022 — 6 min read
Russia Invades Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine

Russia Invades Ukraine

Putin has launched a criminal war based on an unhinged, paranoid interpretation of history and driven by an uncontrolled lust for power. Failing to act risks letting a mafia state grab the reins and steer the world into a dark future.
Feb 24, 2022 — 5 min read
Security Primers for Journalists and Activists in Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine

Security Primers for Journalists and Activists in Ukraine

Putin and his security apparatus are keeping many lists and the barrier to entry is likely very low. If you're a journalist, activist, political figure, or influencer in Ukraine you must up your security game immediately.
Feb 23, 2022 — 5 min read
Inoculate Yourself Against Russian Disinformation - And Its Amplifiers
Russia-Ukraine

Inoculate Yourself Against Russian Disinformation - And Its Amplifiers

With a little effort and objectivity anyone can learn to spot Russian disinformation narratives. They are pervasive, adaptable to any ideology, and increasingly destabilizing. Developing and honing this skill has never been more important.
Feb 22, 2022 — 8 min read
On Putin's Speech
Russia-Ukraine

On Putin's Speech

China and Russia are intent on destroying and remaking the existing world order. They've even put it in writing [http://en.kremlin.ru/supplement/5770]. Earlier statements might have attempted to cast that aspiration in a slightly more positive light than today's speech [http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/
Feb 21, 2022 — 3 min read
Tracking NATO during the Ukraine-Russia Crisis
Russia-Ukraine

Tracking NATO during the Ukraine-Russia Crisis

NATO, as one would expect, has been persistently and relentlessly targeted by the Russian disinformation machine. That's not really surprising. However, this activity has swelled in recent years (for other targets as well) and it can be difficult to cut through the disinformation and organic noise that exists across millions
Feb 21, 2022 — 2 min read
Shortwave Numbers Stations
Covert Contact

Shortwave Numbers Stations

Scot Terban joined me to discuss the use of shortwave numbers stations, recently declassified KGB investigative techniques for identifying recipients of those broadcasts, and how shortwave has changed with the introduction of the internet.
Oct 1, 2020
Chinese Spies in US Law Enforcement - And Everywhere Else
Covert Contact

Chinese Spies in US Law Enforcement - And Everywhere Else

The regular counterintelligence chat with William Tucker is a day late but full of new Chinese espionage activity in the NYPD, the EU, and beyond. We also touch on intelligence history and why literature from the Middle Ages or beyond is not only fascinating but still relevant.
Sep 25, 2020
The Threat of Fake Spies
Counterintelligence

The Threat of Fake Spies

William Tucker returns to discuss the incredible case of Garrison Courtney and Alpha-214. Posing as a CIA NOC Courtney was able to engineer a scheme that duped numerous beltway contractors, intelligence officials, former military officers and many others.
Sep 17, 2020
Election Threats and Disrupting Chinese Espionage
Counterintelligence

Election Threats and Disrupting Chinese Espionage

In this episode we discuss the recent report for Microsoft that details Russian, Chinese, and Iranian attacks on individuals and organizations tied to our presidential campaigns and the recent move to revoke the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese grad students and researchers
Sep 10, 2020
French Officer Busted Spying on NATO for GRU & Other Espionage Cases
Counterintelligence

French Officer Busted Spying on NATO for GRU & Other Espionage Cases

William Tucker joins me to discuss two high profile cases this week, sloppy Chinese tradecraft, and why it always pays to visit the FBI before the FBI visits you.
Sep 3, 2020
Russians Targeted Tesla Gigafactory in Ransomware Plot
Hacking

Russians Targeted Tesla Gigafactory in Ransomware Plot

Scot Terban is back to discuss the plot, common points of vulnerability, and what you can do it, like a Tesla employee, you find yourself in the middle of a Russian criminal plot.
Sep 1, 2020
Texas A&M, NASA, and Chinese Espionage
Covert Contact

Texas A&M, NASA, and Chinese Espionage

William Tucker joins me to discuss the Zhengdong Cheng case, how Chinese espionage might be forced to evolve, global awareness of the scope of China’s spying, and how organizations can protect themselves if they haven’t started evaluating their own risk.
Aug 27, 2020
Careers in Intelligence: Beyond the Three Letter Agencies
Covert Contact

Careers in Intelligence: Beyond the Three Letter Agencies

Dean Baratta joins me to discuss the rapidly diversifying and expanding non-traditional career paths in intelligence. We also touch on some tips for those looking to enter the field.
Aug 23, 2020
Spying for Russia: The Peter Debbins Case
Covert Contact

Spying for Russia: The Peter Debbins Case

William Tucker joins me again to look into yesterday’s indictment of Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins, a former Green Beret alleged to have worked for Russian intelligence for over a decade.
Aug 22, 2020
Counterintelligence Chat: Alexei Navalny & Alexander Ma
William J. Tucker

Counterintelligence Chat: Alexei Navalny & Alexander Ma

William Tucker returns to look at the apparent poisoning of Alexei Navalny and yet another Chinese espionage case, this time involving Alexander Ma. It’s a classic case, with a Hawaii connection, and there’s likely more interesting details to come.
Aug 20, 2020
Preparing for A Career in Intelligence: Thoughts on Personal Security and Behavior
Covert Contact

Preparing for A Career in Intelligence: Thoughts on Personal Security and Behavior

Former CIA officer Maggie Gwynne joins me to discuss how those interested in pursuing a career in intelligence should manage their profiles (online and off) and conduct themselves to prepare for a challenging recruitment and training period.
Aug 16, 2020 — 1 min read
Understanding the Israel-UAE Deal
Covert Contact

Understanding the Israel-UAE Deal

Alon Pinkas returns to Covert Contact for a quick dive on the drivers behind the deal and what it means for the region.
Aug 15, 2020
A Pardon for Edward Snowden?
Covert Contact

A Pardon for Edward Snowden?

William Tucker returns to discuss the Edward Snowden case after President Trump made remarks on the case that sparked new speculation about a potential pardon.
Aug 14, 2020
Blogs of War © 2022
Powered by Ghost