Capitol Debacle: Politicization Undermines Intelligence

Was the Capitol Security Breach an Intelligence Failure? Former CIA Analyst Lisa Ruth Says No The melee at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 was a shocking example of mob violence and mentality, and shows just how bad things can go wrong when security is unprepared and overwhelmed. It is also, sadly, a textbook illustration of the dangers of politicizing intelligence. Full disclosure: I was not privy to any classified intelligence briefings for any law enforcement entity ahead of the attack. But as a former intelligence officer, I do know how [...]

By |2021-01-11T19:23:57-05:00January 11th, 2021|Security, Uncategorized, World News Round-Up|0 Comments
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Beirut Explosion: Accident or Israeli Intervention?

The massive blast that rocked Beirut earlier this week is being billed as a tragic accident that left hundreds dead and thousands wounded. The explosion also severely damaged the country’s infrastructure and left many residents without power in the sweltering Beirut summer heat. But former intelligence officers intimately familiar with the region caution that Israel, concerned about the explosive stockpile and the impotent Lebanese government, may have ignited the ammonium nitrate to deny terrorist group Hezbollah access to the chemicals. Ammonium Nitrate Explosion Beirut was devastated on 5 August, after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored [...]

By |2020-08-11T11:19:04-04:00August 8th, 2020|Governments, Security, World News Round-Up|0 Comments
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Former CIA Officer Charged, ISIS Leader Reappears, and UK Defense Minister Fired

Former CIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Spying for China Jerry Chung Shin Lee plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to conspiring “to gather and send secret information to the PRC.” Lee, 54, began working in China and other places as a CIA Officer in 1997. He left the Agency in 2004, reportedly frustrated that his career had stalled. According to prosecutors, Lee met with Chinese intelligence officials in 2010. Between 2010 and 2012, the Chinese government arrested and either jailed or killed dozens of Chinese citizens secretly working with the CIA. Over that same period [...]

By |2019-05-06T21:50:24-04:00May 6th, 2019|International, World News Round-Up|0 Comments
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The Belt and Road Initiative, Ukranian Elections, and U.S. Cuba Relations

China’s Second Belt and Road Forum Is Underway This week, 36 world leaders have gathered in Beijing for to discuss China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nine of the 10 ASEAN countries are represented at the conference as well as four of the five Central Asian countries. This level of attendance shows great regional confidence in the project’s future. Furthermore, 12 of  the 36 attendees are representing European nations including Italy, Portugal, and Austria. As the project continues to develop and more heads of state continue to enter BRI negotiations, it is clear that the project will [...]

By |2019-04-30T20:17:42-04:00April 30th, 2019|International, World News Round-Up|0 Comments
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