News has broken that Iran's military has captured two U.S. Navy vessels and is holding 10 American sailors. The details of the capture and what caused it are still sketchy, but the Iranian government has assured the White House that the sailors are safe and unharmed as of the time of this writing. The two Navy vessels were named as riverine patrol craft (no confirmation on this … [Read more...] about Will President Obama Use All Options to Bring Our Sailors Home From Iran?
We all know the quote, “December the 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy….” When U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood before Congress and uttered those words, there was no doubt in his voice nor uncertainty in his words. At the very moment he made his appeal to Congress to declare war on the nation of Japan, the survivors of the attack on the naval base at … [Read more...] about Have We Lost Our National Bearings Since Pearl Harbor?
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with and interviewing Charles Faddis, a 20-year former case officer with the Central Intelligence Agency and author of multiple books, including "Beyond Repair," which I recently reviewed. In addition to the aforementioned, Faddis is also the founder and president of Orion Strategic Services, which specializes in threat analysis, … [Read more...] about “Beyond Repair”: An Interview With Former CIA Case Officer Charles Faddis
So I get into my car after a great face-to-face interview that I was looking forward to writing up and getting out on SOFREP (coming soon). As I turn on the radio and tune to my favorite Washington D.C.-area news radio station, they make their breaking news announcement. My first thoughts were, “Ah crap…did my Papal visit article jinx the poor guy? Has the zombie apocalypse … [Read more...] about Why Does the Political Monster Eat Its Young?
Recently, the FBI revealed that it had arrested a 15-year-old Philadelphia-area boy on charges that he plotted to carry out Islamic State-inspired attacks involving explosives-packed pressure cookers (in the style of those used in the Boston Marathon attacks.) Although the plot never went beyond Internet chatter, the plan—targeting Pope Francis during his 25-27 September, 2015 … [Read more...] about How Big a Security Challenge Is the Papal Visit?
Back in mid-July, Efraim Halevy, the former head of Israel’s Mossad (short for HaMossad le Modi in ule Tafkidim Meyu adim, or “Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations”) participated in a radio interview on National Public Radio. The topic of the talk was the infamous nuclear deal with Iran that has been making the news and causing such a stir. What made this … [Read more...] about Will the Iran Nuclear Deal Spark Israeli Targeted Assassinations?
The Office of Strategic Services, America’s daring World War II-era clandestine operation/spy agency, along with organizations such as Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE), set a precedent for taking “high risk, high gain” to a new level. The men and women of the OSS were chosen for their propensity for taking risks to achieve success. Some were captured and some died … [Read more...] about “Beyond Repair”: Why the CIA Should Be Scrapped Now
On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Great Britain rose to give a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, a grim look on his face and an even more grim message in his heart. His speech began with praise for his staunch ally and friend, President Harry S. Truman and the United States, and as the speech progressed, the reason for his concern … [Read more...] about History of Intel Gathering Part 7A: Iron Curtains and Dominos
So, we're going to try a little something different this time around. Nothing to do with intelligence or special operations, but it may appeal to the Bear Grylls or "Dude, You're Screwed" in some of you. Today, we are going to begin a series we’ll call “Dare Ya.” Why, you ask? Weeelll…because it’s my article, so sit…down…and…zip…it. In all seriousness, I just thought that … [Read more...] about Dare Ya: Brave the Homicidal Natives on North Sentinel Island
Fifty-four years ago, one of the most suspicion-wracked and contentious international relationships (next to the U.S.'s with the Soviet Union) heated up when the United States and Cuba ended formal diplomatic ties and closed their embassies in Havana and Washington D.C., respectively. The years following the break were marked by accusations of sabotage and attempted … [Read more...] about Will a Thaw Between the U.S. and Cuba Heat Up Intel Operations?
So it seems that the Indian Army's 21 Para Special Forces commando raid into Myanmar to hunt militants has set off alarm bells in the region, mostly because of the message the Indian government intended to send. The unit was sent across the border partially at the behest of the Burmese government and in response to a June 4 ambush on Indian troops in the area of Chandel, which … [Read more...] about Hot Pursuit and International Law
Note: This is part of a series, co-written by Yankee Papa and James Powell. You can read part one and part two here. In early June 2015, China announced that it would hold military exercises along the Burmese border, to include firing artillery shells into certain jungle areas. Though not officially stated, these exercises were likely in response to fighting between Burmese … [Read more...] about Myanmar and China: Secret Little War (Pt. 3)
