AI

An Open Letter to Intelligence Analysts from ChatGPT

As generative AI becomes more prevalent in everyday life, intelligence analysts will need to learn how to use it effectively to stay competitive.

Security

Combating Chinese Cyber Threats in South Korea

In light of the escalating cyber threats from China, it is imperative to focus on collaborative defense initiatives that can enhance South Korea's cybersecurity resilience and create a more secure digital landscape.

AI Fiction

Shadows in the Forest

In 2025, a weakened NATO stands by as a resurgent Russia launches a devastating invasion of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Moldova

A History of Russian Aggression and Interference in Moldova's Post-Soviet Independence

Russian interference in Moldovan affairs has a long and complex history that dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

AI Fiction

The Whisky Lessons

A retired intelligence officer shares his experience and lessons with a young recruit during a whisky-fueled training session.

Russia

Russian Propaganda and the Baltic States: A Historical and Contemporary Overview

From the time of the Russian Empire, through the Soviet era and into the post-Soviet period, Russia has employed a range of propaganda techniques to exert influence over the people of the Baltic states.

Counterintelligence

Covert Contact Podcast: The Chinese Espionage Episodes

Your guide to 12 Covert Contact episodes focused on the counterintelligence challenges posed by China.

Russia-Ukraine

Parsing Russia's Dirty-Bomb Warnings

Russian propaganda may be brutally clumsy, often to the point of being comical, but it often serves multiple purposes beyond those obvious in superficial analysis that are worth considering.

Extremism

Why Kanye's Antisemitism is so Dangerous

If cultural icons can normalize hate and still find support at the highest levels of government and commerce we are not headed for disaster - we are already there.

Counterterrorism

Zeroing in on Domestic Extremism

A collection of useful resources for those tracking domestic extremism including a number of new deep dives on extremist orgs, their TTPs, and strategies for countering them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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