CIA Operatives Struggle to Stay Undetected when traveling In today's world, traveling undercover as a CIA operative is a complex undertaking. In my spy thriller novel, MISSION OF VENGEANCE, CIA spymaster Corey Pearson faced multiple challenges as he embarked on his mission using a new identity. The CIA uses various modes of transportation, including commercial, military, or private planes, depending on the situation. However, in the opening scene, Corey opted for a private plane to avoid major airports, TSA screenings, CCTV cameras, and similar security measures. As Corey received a new identity for this mission, the CIA wanted to sever all ties to his previous assignments due to the sensitive nature of the operation. He was given a freshly forged passport, driver's license, credit cards, and bank account. However, not using his previous false identity brought up new challenges due to the interconnected digital world. All the information related to Corey's previous fake passport was linked to a newer biometric one that had a microchip embedded in it, storing his facial recognition, fingerprint, and iris-scan data. The increasing use of biometric technology has made it challenging for CIA operatives to travel undetected. Biometric scanners are now commonplace in airports, and they can quickly reveal an operative's true identity. For instance, in 2018, a woman named Yeweinisht Mesfin was attempting to board a flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia using a fraudulent Ghanaian passport. When she presented the passport to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, the biometric facial recognition technology flagged the passport as fraudulent. However, biometrics are not foolproof. In 2018, when a woman named Yujing Zhang was arrested at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, carrying multiple electronic devices and a thumb drive containing malware, Zhang had flown from China to the US and had passed through multiple security checkpoints, including biometric scanners, without issue. It was ultimately a human security officer who became suspicious of Zhang's behavior and raised the alarm, leading to her arrest. The Zhang incident highlights the limitations of relying solely on technology for security purposes and emphasizes the importance of human intuition and observation in identifying potential threats. CIA operatives face detection by authorities trained to identify suspicious behavior. Security personnel at foreign airports receive thorough training in spotting suspicious behaviors, and go through similar training that U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees go through. All TSA agents are trained to spot even mildly irregular behaviors at airports through a program called "Behavior Detection and Analysis" (BDA). The BDA program trains them to observe passengers' behaviors and body language for signs of potential threats to aviation security. The training includes techniques for detecting unusual behaviors and indicators of possible criminal or terrorist activities: nerviness, avoiding eye contact, appearing overly alert or nervous, and wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the weather or for the purpose of travel. TSA officers also look for physical signs of potential threats, such as carrying suspicious items or displaying unusual behaviors while carrying luggage. One example of a TSA officer catching a person using this training occurred in 2017 at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, USA. A TSA officer noticed a man acting suspiciously while going through the security checkpoint. The man had a large bulge in his pants that appeared to be an abnormal shape for a body part. The officer alerted a supervisor, who conducted a pat-down search of the man and found that he was carrying a loaded handgun in his waistband. The local police were called in, and an investigation revealed that he had a criminal history and was not allowed to possess a firearm. Little wonder why undercover CIA operatives find traveling to be difficult! The world of espionage is constantly evolving, and the challenges they face continue to grow with the advancement of technology and security measures. As demonstrated in MISSION OF VENGEANCE, the ability to adapt to these challenges is paramount for CIA operatives, for they must stay ahead of the game to operate covertly and undetected. The future of espionage is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: the world of intelligence and counterintelligence will continue to be as fascinating as it is complex. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

Most CIA operatives working overseas are under “official cover,” posing as U.S. government employees- the State Department allows hundreds of its positions in embassies around the world to be occupied by CIA officers representing themselves as diplomats. There’s an obvious advantage of having official cover- if the CIA case officer is caught spying, he/she has the benefit of diplomatic protection and, at the worst, would be publicly outed and sent home in disgrace. Some CIA operatives work under non-official cover and are called “NOCs”. They work abroad without diplomatic protection, pretending to work for some commercial enterprise, either for a real company or a fake front entity. Having no official ties to the U.S. government, NOCs rely heavily on their deep cover story, or legend, to avoid getting caught. In the world of espionage, “cover” refers to the amalgam of lies and props, from false names to phony front companies, that disguise a CIA operative’s true identity and purpose. Want to experience a great spy thriller series? Check out the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster site. There are distinct categories of cover that CIA agents use, and an almost endless list of components. Some cover is tissue-thin and disposable. Other arrangements are so layered and deep that they anticipate hostile probing of every facet of a person’s life. The movie ARGO is a fine depiction of “deep” cover. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to be a CIA NOC working in an unfriendly foreign country without diplomatic immunity, having no "safety net". The threat of being captured looms constantly, for if caught, they are charged as spies committing espionage and receive severe criminal punishments, up to and including execution. That is why they are well trained to deny any connection with their government, thus preserving what’s called “plausible deniability”. Unfortunately, it also denies them any hope of diplomatic legal assistance – or official acknowledgment of their service. Unfortunately, many of the operatives memorialized without names or dates of service on the CIA Memorial Wall were NOCs who were killed or executed in a foreign country. Most captured NOCs have, thank goodness, been sent back to the U.S. through prisoner exchanges, called “spy swaps”. A prime example of a CIA NOC being outed is Valerie Plame. Under the President George W. Bush administration, her undercover status was purposefully revealed by political advisor Karl Rove and VP Dick Cheney. After talking with James Marcinkowski, a former CIA case officer who was a fellow classmate of Valerie Plame’s at The Farm, the mysterious CIA training camp, I wrote the article Karl Rove and Dick Cheney made all Americans ‘Fair Game’. . Marcinkowski revealed the nature of Plame’s exceedingly deep cover. He told me that Plame’s cover was a vast mosaic of lies and props, like a puzzle that’s nearly impossible for enemy intelligence to put together, with each piece important to protect because, as he put it to me, “You don’t know which pieces the bad guys are missing.” Then, Rove and Cheney, intentionally revealed to the news media that she was an undercover NOC. In the MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, one of CIA spymaster Corey Pearson’s counterintelligence team has a most unusual deep cover. Here’s a snippet: Snippet: “How did team eleven get here so fast?” “They were right next door, moored off Cap-Haiten, Haiti, a half-day’s sail away. Arrived here in the Dominican Republic an hour ago and docked in the Ocean World Adventure Park marina and rented a Land Rover.” Agent Sweeney sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, sir, I like my assignment as leader of DR-5, but you’ve got to admit their cover story is the ultimate, one any CIA operative would die for.” Corey took swig from a bottle of Santo Domingo Catalina beer that filled half the refrigerator. Morrison liked to keep his case officers contented. The slight touch of banana tasted good. “No one would argue with you. They assume the perfect cover, sailing the Caribbean on a fifty-foot yacht while masquerading as spoiled rich kids, scuba diving and partying everywhere they go. Who would imagine they move CIA operational gear, weapons, and undercover agents to wherever needed?” “And to kill when necessary. I heard about the Penumbra Database recovery they assisted you with at the mansion on Abaco.” Corey took a large gulp of Catalina while considering the bullet scars in his leg and forearm, knife scar in his upper back and scrap of metal in his knee that resulted from fifteen years of service as a CIA NOC. “Well, Abaco’s another story. At times, there’s experiences we’d like to forget.” End of Snippet Lastly, this video US: CIA claims to be losing troubling number of agents reveals the critical importance for CIA operatives to maintain their deep cover fake identities. Last year, the CIA sent a top-secret message to its global network of stations around the world that said a “concerning number of informants recruited from other countries to spy for the U.S. have been captured, killed or compromised”. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community in his Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Read his newest spy thriller The Shadow War, episode by episode, as he writes it in the new Kindle Vella program.

BELIZE AMBERGRIS CAY I researched Belize and Ambergris Cay for my next spy thriller. During the search for great scenes to write about, I stayed in Placencia, a safer place. Let me give you a few warnings about Belize: Of course, due to COVID-19, you should observe all CDC guidelines. Although I experienced no crime while strolling around Placencia or driving around the country, you should exercise some caution due to crime. Unfortunately, violent crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. But a significant portion of the violent crime is gang related and occurs in the larger cities. I recommend staying in Placencia, where I rented a neat bed and breakfast, or in San Pedro, and Caye Caulker, which are all safer areas for tourists. Ironically, Placencia has much less crime, but I ended up in danger anyhow. A female jaguar with several cubs decided to make a den under my cottage. She ended up killing two Labrador retrievers that lived in a resort down the road. I strolled around the grounds, especially at night, with a baseball bat. The locals told me that jaguars come into Placencia all the time and they leave humans alone… no worries. I got a glimpse of her once at 1am, crawling under the cottage with a gopher she ambushed in her mouth. The real danger for tourists venturing to Belize is not jaguars- it’s named one of the worst five countries in the world for homicides, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, so go to the safer places I mentioned above. Its gang violence is mostly centered on Belize City, especially the south side, which should be avoided at all times. I never carried much cash when I ventured out, and noticed seasoned tourists to Belize, even in peaceful Placencia, didn’t flash their wealth or carry fancy bags, wear fancy clothes shoes, etc. In my Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series, Corey ventured to Belize and minded not to flash his wealth around- take a tip from him: It’s better to blend in, not stand out! Now for the positive features! Communication is no problem since English is the official language of Belize. It’s a drop-dead beautiful country, wedged between Mexico and Guatemala. It is a popular eco-tourism destination with lush tropical rain forests, pristine beaches, and ancient Maya cities. The world's second largest barrier reef lies offshore, and you can hike through dense jungle to see howler monkeys and possibly even a jaguar. There are mountain pine forests, palm-fringed beaches, bonefish flats, rivers, caves, and coral atolls rimmed by fish-rich reefs. Not surprisingly, diving and snorkeling are superb. You will luv the local music and I mention it in my spy thrillers. Throughout Belize the style of music is punta rock, reggae, marimba, hip-hop, jazz, mariachi, orchestra, brukdown, and soca. They love Bob Marley, and that’s how CIA Spymaster Corey Pearson tracked down a contact in Placencia, Belize. (Photo Above)- Corey’s only leads were that he lived on a worn-out lobster boat that he snorkeled off of to capture spiny lobsters that he sold to local restaurants in Placencia, and that he was a dedicated Bob Marley fan. Corey found him, and his boat, hidden in a mangrove marsh. He waded up to the boat in the shallow, gin-colored waters as the Marley "Redemption" song played from inside the hold. He was about to meet a mysterious man who had many secrets to tell. Lastly, enjoy this video “Corey Pearson Spy Series- Belize Cockscomb Rain Forest”, which shows my journey through Belize. Ignore the spy stuff and just enjoy the scenery, and jot down the places to stay at and visit: Robert Morton is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE

The FBI revealed a deep-cover Russian spy ring lurking inside America It was tough to be a CIA operative in the Soviet Union during the Cold War days (It’s still tough today). In the Soviet Union, the KGB kept close surveillance on American spies and State Department officials. Author David E. Hoffman, in his book The Billion Dollar Spy, discusses the CIA’s Moscow station during the Cold War, revealing how spies recruited agents, and what happened when things went wrong. Some of the stories were amusing and some were tragic. On a humorous note, Hoffman writes how a CIA officer new to the Soviet station was amused to sometimes reach for his coat only to find it had vanished. (Later, it would mysteriously return, now likely bugged by the KGB.) His apartment was bugged as well, and his phone lines were tapped. Once, he used an unsecure line to set up dinner at a restaurant with friends. While driving to the restaurant, he figured out that the cars behind him and in front of him were KGB surveillance. At some point in the drive, he and his wife got lost, so they decided to just follow the KGB to see what would happen. The KGB took him straight to the restaurant. The CIA used to have a device called Jack in the Box, made from sex dolls cut from the shoulder down. If an agent was being tailed by the KGB, his driver would turn sharply, giving him time to hop out of the car. The driver would then deploy the device, so it would look like the agent was still in the car. Another tactic involved "repetitive redundancy", where CIA operatives would lull their foreign surveillance into a state of boredom. One agent at the Prague station noticed that the Czech secret police were following him everywhere he went. So, he made his daily routine incredibly boring and predictable. He drove slowly, never deviated from his normal route, nor his normal routine. He drove the babysitter home each evening and got a haircut on the same day, at the same time each week. After six months, he discovered that for his haircut and babysitter drives, his watchers would no longer follow, so long as he reappeared at the same time as usual. He exploited their boredom and lethargy and used their careless gap in surveillance as a moment to meet his contacts. In the MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, I created a situation where former KGB spies were still active in the Caribbean, particularly in the Dominican Republic. Russia had plans to undermine America’s influence in the Caribbean. CIA spymaster Corey Pearson knew the KGB agents were deft at surveillance and counter-surveillance, just like they were in Moscow during the Cold War, so he used counterintelligence tactics to counter them without revealing himself. Here’s a few snippets from MISSION OF VENGEANCE: Snippet 1: He agreed in advance with the defecting KGB agent Yury Bocharov that their next contact location would be the Hard Rock Café in Santo Domingo. Earlier, Corey drove past the Waterfront Restaurant in Sosua and eyed the Red Flamboyant tree outside. In the shade under its crimson canopy was a bench with a blue mark scribbled on the back frame. A signal from Bocharov to meet today at 4 p.m. Corey never wanted to meet directly with Bocharov in Sosua, nor did he desire to use a dead drop to pass information back and forth. The Russians were too skilled in surveillance spy craft. Snippet 2: Corey flew into the Gregorio Luperon International Airport on the CIA’s HST Airlines. He rented a car and began the short drive on Rt. 5 into Sosua, a town In Puerto Plata Province on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The plan was to get a hold of Lieutenant Danilo Sanchez’s crime scene report and conduct countersurveillance before the debriefing at the Waterfront Restaurant. It was a precautionary measure to ensure his counterintelligence team stayed under the radar of Russian intelligence, for a trained KGB spy could cleverly spot a suspicious tail. End of Snippets The video, The FBI Investigates Soviet Deep-Cover Spies in America reveals how, over a decade, deep-cover Russian spies embedded themselves in America, collected intelligence and passed it onto their handlers. It describes a large FBI undercover counterintelligence operation, called Operation Ghost Stories. Enjoy! Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community, and relishes traveling to the Florida Keys and Key West, the Bahamas and Caribbean. He combines both passions in his Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

Russia's KGB spy agency planted hundreds of female ‘Sleepers’ inside the U.S.- trained spies who married U.S. officers at the end of WWII and went to ‘sleep’ with both their husbands and the KGB. They were “activated” periodically as needed. For more information about Russian sleeper cells, in general, check out Russian Sleeper Cells Are Everywhere! Russian sleeper cells may be operating everywhere, especially in Britain. Two months ago, a former British MI6 agent announced that Britain has been infiltrated by a "large network of Russian sleeper agents." I'm beginning to think they are everywhere, indeed. Lastly, enjoy the video about a real-life Russian sleeper cell: Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

MI5's Russian Desk navigates the intricate web of espionage inside the UK Eleven years ago, I stumbled upon an article in Russia's newspaper PravdaRu, shedding light on MI5's hunt for a Russian expert. Intrigued, I delved into MI5's website and confirmed the existence of the vacancy. Titled "Russian Intelligence Analysts," the ad's opening line intrigued me: "The deeper you go into a language the more you uncover."MI5's call for specialists in Russian language and culture aimed to bolster their arsenal against the web of Russian espionage weaving through British corridors of power. The ad elaborated: "Using your specialist Russian language skills and your knowledge of Russia's cultural affairs, history, politics, ideology, and economy, you will add real understanding to the intelligence that has been gathered and deliver clear analysis in a variety of ways. Your work will enable us to take a well-informed view of potential threats to national security, including terrorism and espionage." The agency recognized how important it was to speak Russian fluently and understand their culture to stop Russian spies from sneaking onto British soil. The sharp minds at MI5 who spoke Russian like pros decoded secret messages, broke down propaganda, and uncovered sneaky moves by Russian spies, all while working hard to keep British leaders and influential persons safe from their influence. The 2006 incident stands as a testament to MI5's vigilance. British authorities unearthed a labyrinth of Russian espionage aimed at MI5 and MI6, Britain's domestic and foreign intelligence apparatus. A joint investigation by MI5 and MI6 uncovered covert surveillance operations orchestrated by Russian operatives. The diplomats stationed in London were unmasked as undercover Russian spies, actively surveilling British officials and intelligence operatives. In response, the British government expelled four Russian diplomats, effectively disrupting Russian espionage efforts within British borders. This event underscored the indispensable role of Russian language specialists in safeguarding Britain's national security interests. Mission of Vengeance: Join Corey Pearson and his elite CIA operatives as they unearth a Russian plot to undermine America’s influence in the Caribbean. In the shadowy world of counterintelligence, another example of MI5's battle against Russian infiltration emerged in 2018, marked by the expulsion of Russian diplomats in the aftermath of the Salisbury poisoning debacle. The world will never forget, when in March of that year, in Salisbury, England, former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, fell victim to a lethal nerve agent, Novichok. The brazen attack ignited global outrage, triggering a collaborative investigation involving British intelligence agencies, notably MI5. MI5's Russian language and intelligence specialists unearthed damning evidence linking the poisoning to Russia's GRU spies. Leveraging sophisticated surveillance techniques, electronic intercepts, and meticulous analysis of communications by MI5 Russian language specialists, the GRU operatives complicit in the heinous act were identified. As the investigation delved deeper, MI5 uncovered a sprawling web of Russian espionage entangling the UK. This revelation compelled the British government to respond decisively. In a bold move, the UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats suspected of operating under the guise of diplomatic cover, a significant blow aimed at curbing Russia's clandestine activities on British soil. Reflecting on the article from eleven years ago, I realized the significance placed on proficiency in the Russian language for prospective MI5 recruits. The job listing emphasized the necessity for candidates with a sincere passion for languages, cultivated through academic study, professional exposure, or immersive experiences abroad. As Britain's experience serves as a stark reminder, it also stands as a heads-up to America's FBI and CIA. The evolving nature of espionage transcends borders, and the lessons learned in countering Russian influence in Britain resonate equally across the Atlantic. Thank goodness, the CIA has also been on the hunt to hire those who have foreign language proficiency: Foreign Language Proficiency a Top Priority for CIA Recruiters. In the face of shared threats, the importance of linguistic proficiency in safeguarding national security cannot be overstated, underscoring the enduring necessity for skilled linguists within intelligence agencies worldwide. Robert Morton, M.Ed., Ed.S. is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the online Spy series "Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster." Check out his latest spy thriller, Mission of Vengeance.

In the November 22, 2017 edition of "Spy Agency Happenings," the rebuilding of Putin's KGB spy agency is the central theme. The article explores Vladimir Putin's childhood as a street fighter living in a crowded housing development in the Soviet Union and his aspirations to become a spy. As a teenager, Putin attended a public reception at the KGB Directorate office to inquire about how to become a spy. It also discusses other KGB spies who defected from the agency and turned up in Britain and the US with large amounts of sensitive intelligence to share. The “Spy Agency Happenings!” issue covers how Putin and his FSB spy agency have reinstated the use of Cold War "Active Measures" against America and the West, the same disinformation schemes used by the KGB during the Cold War. In the 60s, KGB agents spread a rumor that the US government assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. In the 80s, they spread gossip that American intelligence had created the AIDS virus at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The KGB infiltrated and supported progressive movements inside the US, as well as leftist parties and insurgencies throughout Latin and South America. This November 22, 2017 issue of “Spy Agency Happenings!” further explains that Putin's philosophy about the KGB is complex. He has expressed nostalgia for the Soviet Union and the KGB's role in maintaining order and stability, but he has also acknowledged that the organization had its flaws and made mistakes. U.S. intelligence believes that Putin's past KGB training influences his current foreign policy decisions, like the invasion of Crimea and the heavy use of disinformation and propaganda to influence public opinion in the U.S. 2016 presidential election. It also discusses the CIA's efforts to stop the KGB's "Active Measures" during the Cold War, including the overthrow of regimes in Iran, Cuba, Haiti, Brazil, Chile, and Panama. While the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, the CIA asked Russia to abandon these measures, and Russia promised to do so. However, when Sergey Tretyakov, the station chief for Russian intelligence in New York, defected in 2000, he revealed that Moscow's "Active Measures" had never subsided. This Russian hegemony has resurfaced under Putin's leadership. The MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller novel describes Putin’s reactivation of the KGB. It follows the story of Corey Pearson, a seasoned CIA spymaster, who is tasked with investigating a group of former KGB agents who are using the same "Active Measures" tactics employed by Putin to undermine America's credibility in the Caribbean. As Pearson delves deeper into the case, he realizes that the stakes are higher than he initially thought. The former KGB agents have already established a strong network of sleeper agents across the region and are planning a major attack on the US. With time running out, Pearson must use all his skills and resources to stop the impending threat. As the clock ticks down to the final showdown, Pearson must navigate treacherous waters to bring the KGB agents to justice and save America from a catastrophic attack. With high-stakes action, complex characters, and a pulse-pounding plot, MISSION OF VENGEANCE is a gripping spy thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I hate to end with a negative conclusion, but the resurgence of Putin's KGB spy agency and their use of Cold War "Active Measures" against America and the West is a dangerous threat to global stability. With the potential for catastrophic attacks on democratic governments, the stakes have never been higher. As tensions escalate and the clock ticks down, the world watches with bated breath to see what will happen next. The shadow of the KGB permeates Russia’s current intelligence agencies (the GRU and FSB) and looms ominously over the future. The only hope for a peaceful resolution rests in the hands of the U.S. and its allies, and their willingness to risk everything to stop it. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series.

Are you cut out to be a spy? Have you ever wondered if you meet the requirements to become a CIA Spy? The authors of this test say in 5 minutes you'll find out. This test will reflect your knowledge of CIA spying operations, gadget uses, and general knowledge of spycraft. It was administered to hundreds of people and 90% of them FAILED. Good luck! CIA SPY EXAM: Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

In The Shadow War spy thriller, CIA spymaster Corey Pearson and Ana, one of his operatives, track a man to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. They trail him to his accommodations- the Atlantis Bridge Suite, at a cost of $25,000 per night! It has the distinction of being the most expensive hotel suite in the world. Since their target has a so-so job back in the U.S., where he earns a middle-class income, they grew even more suspicious of him. The Atlantis Bridge Suite has 10 rooms that include a 50 x 25 ft living room, complete with grand piano, two entertainment centers and an 800 square foot balcony; a dining room with a 22-karat gold chandelier and custom-designed 10-seater table; and a kitchen with its own private entrance. Corey lock-picked the door and planted a bug in the gold chandelier when the target was touring the Atlantis grounds. The Bridge Suite, located in the Royal Tower, is also known as the Michael Jackson suite as he often stayed in the 5,000 square-foot luxury room. The Royal is the main building of Atlantis. It’s among the iconic towers, and the penthouse suite connects them. While Corey Pearson was bugging the target’s suite, Ana tailed him while he toured the Atlantis grounds. Even if you are not staying at the Atlantis, you can purchase a “Day Pass” and experience it’s treasures. Ana kept an eye on the target as he visited Dolphin Cay, an incredible waterpark, the marine habitat, and the beaches. She watched him from afar through binoculars as he made friends with the dolphins at Dolphin Cay. He got up close and personal with the beautiful Atlantis Bottlenose Dolphins. Dolphin Cay is a story of dolphin survival. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 and devastated the Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, sixteen dolphins were left stranded. They were rescued, nursed back to health, and given a new home when Dolphin Cay was built at Atlantis. If you visit Atlantis, please stop in at Dolphin Cay and give it your support; every visit helps maintain the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, which creates solutions to marine conservation challenges from coral reef degradation to marine species in decline. MISSION OF VENGEANCE- take the journey of espionage and intrigue with CIA Spymaster Corey Pearson Ana followed the target into the Atlantis Aquarium, which encompasses 14 lagoons filled with eight million gallons of ocean water and over 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species. She had no difficulty blending in with the tourists mingling in the glass tunnels, with the marine creatures gliding around them. After a while, the target dropped his exploring and started back toward the Bridge Suite. Ana alerted Corey, who quickly vacated the place after planting another bug inside the frame of a Charles Cham oil painting worth over $15,000. So, who owns the Bridge Suite at Atlantis? A South-African entrepreneur named Sol Kerzner invested $450 million to create the 600-acre resort on beautiful Paradise Island, Bahamas. Smacking of sumptuous, over-the-top hedonism, the Bridge Suite is the jewel on the top of Kerzner’s crown. The suite occupies a span between the resort's two main buildings in the 23-story Royal Towers, thus its name. Very suspicious that a middle-class man with a ho-hum job could stay at a place that was occupied by the likes of Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Celine Dion, Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, and Donald Trump. Corey Pearson and his CIA operative Ana also knew that a few unscrupulous Saudi sheiks and one corrupt, high-rolling businessman stay in the Bridge Suite while trying their luck at the Atlantis Resort’s casino, the largest one in the Caribbean. They want to find out if there is any link between them and this unassuming target. Lastly, here's a video tour of the Atlantis Royal Bridge Suite. Enjoy, and speak softly. Remember, CIA spymaster Corey Pearson has the place bugged! Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community in his Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Read his newest spy thriller The Shadow War, episode by episode, as he writes it in the new Kindle Vella program.

CIA sleight of hand- dosing drinks In the 1950s the CIA worked with American magician John Mulholland to develop a manual full of tricks that could be useful to CIA agents. They learned sleight of hand maneuvers, advice on dressing to blend in, and methods of passing secret messages unnoticed. Then came along two former CIA historians, Bob Wallace and Keith Melton, who were heavy into researching Cold War spy-gadget stuff. In their studies, they uncovered a CIA “magic” journal, which was written by John Mulholland, which supposedly had been incinerated and was believed to have been lost forever. It wasn’t. They analyzed the contents and published a book from it: The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception. It shares the (declassified) history of CIA trickery from the beginning. The Cold War made for strange partners; no one could imagine the CIA teaming up with a well-known magician, but, in 1953, Mulholland was hired by the Agency to adapt his craft for its agents. Yes, a guy who’d made his living pulling a rabbit out of a hat showed CIA operatives how to do their jobs better. The spooks learned the art of sleight of hand maneuvers, advice on dressing to blend in, and methods of passing secret messages. Much sleight of hand, apparently, could be used for dosing drinks, passing pills, and exchanging messages without anyone noticing. And then there were the covert signals that magicians used, such as tying your shoelaces in special patterns that conveyed different messages. Former deputy CIA director John McLaughlin was correct when he said, "magic and espionage are kindred spirits. Mulholland's writing on delivery of pills, potions and powders was just one example of research carried out back then in fields as diverse as brainwashing and paranormal psychology." Yes, the height of the Cold War made spying, espionage, and magic rather precarious endeavors …and strange bedfellows. In the MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, CIA women were trained in the art of sleight of hand, and they slipped a drug into a Russian assassin’s drink at a disco. Here’s a snippet: It happened quickly. CIA spymaster Corey Pearson let his plan unfold. The two Dominican Republic ladies, actually low-level CIA assets, walked down Dr. Rosen Street onto Calle Pedro Clisante and passed Whistle Blower, whose table was next to the sidewalk. One toted the luxurious Haumea handbag that the Russian KGB defector Yury Bocharov bought for her at the Blue Mall in Santo Domingo. It hung low and was opened. Whistle Blower was well trained in the art of sleight of hand. She furtively dropped a small package into it, while simultaneously lifting a forkful of her trifle to her mouth. The packet contained a vial of some sort and a Bluetooth microphone disguised as a ballpoint pen. Minutes later, Corey walked at a fast pace across the street and entered the disco, then strolled to the men’s room. The noise and lights engulfed the senses; no one would remember seeing him. He swung open the restroom door, then placed a rubber door stopper under it so no one could enter. The killer was peeing up a storm into the urinal. The Furosemide diuretic that the girls imperceptibly slipped into his drink worked quickly. End of Snippet Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

Sergei Skripal, a former GRU officer, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a nerve agent called Novichok that was applied to the front door handle of Sergei's home in Salisbury, England, by GRU assassins The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) is Russia's domestic intelligence agency and is responsible for a wide range of intelligence and counterintelligence activities both inside and outside of Russia, including surveillance, recruitment, cyber espionage, covert operations, honeypot operations, and assassinations. Russia has two primary intelligence agencies, the FSB and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and each has distinct responsibilities and capabilities. The FSB is primarily responsible for domestic operations, while the GRU is focused on foreign intelligence gathering and covert operations. Nonetheless, they often collaborate and coordinate their efforts when their missions against Western democratic governments intersect. They share information and intelligence. The FSB may provide the GRU with information about domestic individuals or organizations that are of interest to the GRU's foreign intelligence operations. In contrast, the GRU may provide the FSB with information about foreign actors or groups that are deemed to pose a threat to Russia's autocratic regime. The two agencies often work alongside each other for intelligence gathering and for counterintelligence operations against the West. Stay updated on happenings with the U.S. Intelligence Community- subscribe to the FREE "Spy Agency Happenings!" newsletter now! Both the FBS and GRU are ultimately subordinate to the Russian government and its leadership. As a result, their activities and operations are coordinated and directed at the highest levels of government to advance Russia's geopolitical interests. In "MISSION OF VENGEANCE" (part 1) and "THE SHADOW WAR" (part 2), Russian intelligence sends assassins to kill CIA operatives. These two novels showcase just how brutal the GRU and FSB have become in their intelligence gathering, espionage, and counterintelligence operations against the U.S. and freedom-loving democracies. The activities of the GRU and FSB have had a significant impact on American interests and individuals in recent years. They have been linked to numerous incidents that have resulted in harm to Americans and US interests. For example, the FSB has been accused of hacking into the Democratic National Committee's email system during the 2016 US presidential election, leading to the release of sensitive information that was damaging to the Democratic Party. The GRU has also been implicated in various cyberattacks, including the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, including in the United States. Additionally, both agencies have been linked to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK in 2018, as well as the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020. These incidents not only pose a threat to the individuals directly involved but also to the broader international community and the rule of law. Overall, the actions of the GRU and FSB demonstrate the continued threat posed by Russian intelligence agencies to US national security and American citizens. It is clear that their reach is vast and formidable. From infiltration and recruitment of foreign intelligence operatives and agents to cyber espionage and hacking aimed at stealing sensitive information, disrupting critical infrastructure, and influencing foreign elections, to covert operations and disinformation campaigns designed to manipulate public opinion and sow political discord in foreign countries, the GRU and FSB are advancing Russia's authoritarian geopolitical interests. The threat they pose should not be underestimated, and vigilance and a proactive stance against their activities are critical to protecting American interests both at home and abroad. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

In the new The Shadow War spy thriller, an evil man, a former Russian KGB spy known as the Invisible Killer, took over a dead person's identity in order to blend into American society as a sleeper agent. The dead person was a street person, a drifter, with no identity of his own worth speaking of. The good guys, too, often assume fake identities to add credence to their cover story. Designing a good cover story is one of the most difficult and crucial parts of a CIA operative going undercover. They must research extensively the details and customs of the identity they're assuming for, even in a casual conversation, they may inadvertently expose some inconsistencies as to who they say they are. If foreign intelligence services are suspicious of some minor irregularity or slight discrepancy is who someone says they are, their falsified documents backed up with hacked databases, even any bribed records keepers who helped create the false identity, may be uncovered. In The Shadow War, the Invisible Killer created a conveniently unverifiable cover story. The dead person’s identity that he assumed had a background that couldn’t be verified or disproved- the place and period from his past had no personal records to be scrutinized or witnesses to be interviewed. Want to experience a great spy thriller series? Check out the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster site. An unverifiable past embedded in one’s cover story is not that unusual. A CIA operative may claim all his past records may have been burned down in an orphanage fire… yes, he or she pretended to have been raised as an orphan, and the parents are unknown. Others may be the "lone survivor" of an accident or may have come from a small town that was leveled by a tornado or some natural disaster. Yes, the county courthouse and local hospital, along with all the personal records, was destroyed. Other cover stories with past unattainable records or witnesses may be used by operatives who claim to have been born and raised in countries ravaged by civil war or by horrific conquests by foreign aggressors, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Potentially non-tragic unverifiable cover stories are coming from communities that shun modern things like hospitals and birth certificates, or where the hall of records has been destroyed. In The Shadow War, the CIA and operative Corey Pearson tries to find the true identity of the Invisible Killer, who’s posing as an ordinary American. Here’s a few snippets: Snippet 1: He stared out the window of the Beechcraft turboprop, thinking of the monster he must hunt down. Nevidijva Ubica, alias “Invisible Killer”, a former KGB spy who worked alongside Vladimir Putin during the Cold War days. The latest intel on him suggests he’s embedded under deep cover somewhere in the U.S. A dangerous man, indeed, highly suspected of murdering two CIA operatives on Corey’s team, along with a KGB defector who Corey had recruited and used as a double agent in the Dominican Republic. Snippet 2: What was most bothersome in Bocharov’s debriefing was when he swore that the Invisible Killer created operational sleeper cells inside the U.S. while stationed in East Germany… over forty years ago. Mark yelled back from the cockpit. “Houston’s approaching. Landing in five minutes.” Corey buckled his seatbelt and sipped his Vesper martini. The cells are no doubt still in operation and the Invisible Killer is lurking somewhere within America’s heartland… by the order of POTUS, I must hunt him down and kill him. End of snippets Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community in his Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Read his newest spy thriller The Shadow War, episode by episode, as he writes it in the new Kindle Vella program.

Actually, I've written 21 chapters and many more are coming your way! In Chapter 21: “The Silent Infiltration”, of The Shadow War spy thriller novel, the plot thickens as Sonia, the young spy, successfully infiltrates the corrupt Senator Cummings' office. Using her well-crafted cover story and charm, she impresses the senator and gains his trust, becoming an integral part of his team. Little does he know that Sonia's true allegiance lies with the counterintelligence team led by CIA spymaster Corey Pearson. Meanwhile, back at Langley's CIA headquarters, Frank Kimble, the CIA Deputy Director, communicates with Morrison, who is coordinating operations from a safe house in Key West. They discuss the progress of their covert operatives, Sonia and Rick Ruemley, who are tasked with gathering critical information to prevent a potential attack on the U.S. Corey Pearson receives a special package from Stacie, the CIA mole within the NSA. Inside is the "GhostWire," a cutting-edge surveillance device designed to intercept and decrypt Collins' encrypted communications on his laptop. Stacie assures Corey that GhostWire operates undetectably and can self-destruct if compromised. As the chapter unfolds, Corey briefs Sonia on her mission to insert GhostWire into Senator Collins' laptop, a crucial step in gathering intelligence about Collins' dealings with his Russian handlers. The tension rises as Corey and his team realize the high stakes involved, knowing that even a slight mistake could lead to catastrophic consequences. The "Corey Pearson - CIASpymaster" series intricately weaves real-life CIA spy craft tactics and strategies throughout its gripping plot. As the series follows the adventures of Corey Pearson, a seasoned CIA operative and master spy, readers are taken on a thrilling journey that mirrors the actual world of espionage. In Chapter 21: “The Silent Infiltration,” you delve into the covert world of espionage as Corey Pearson and his team conduct secret operations with extreme precision. From handling confidential informants to infiltrating high-risk targets, it showcases the intricacies of covert operations. "The Silent Infiltration" chapter takes you on a thrilling ride of espionage, deception, and high-stakes covert operations as the players in The Shadow War strive to outmaneuver their adversaries and protect their country from imminent danger. The chapter ends with Corey poised to deploy the GhostWire, fully aware that the fate of the nation rests in his hands. Robert Morton is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and writes the “Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster” spy thriller series.

The book the CIA wanted to keep off the bookshelves! In the murky world of espionage, where shadowy intelligence operatives struggle against one another to gain tactical advantage, things can often go very, very wrong. This is one such story. Told by a former master CIA spy, truth is woven with fiction to create a gripping yet authentic action packed tale of real intelligence operatives at war.

Recruited by the CIA to work in their financial crimes division, Louise Moscow sets out to expose the corruption that took down the world’s oldest bank. A riv

In 2013, the CIA discovered that Al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan were planning a major attack on the New York Stock Exchange. The plot involved a Canadian citizen named Chiheb Esseghaier, who had been recruited by the terrorist group to conduct a suicide bombing on the exchange. Esseghaier had received extensive training in Pakistan and had already conducted reconnaissance missions in New York City. The plan was to target the stock exchange with a truck bomb, timed to go off during the morning rush hour. The attack was intended to cause massive damage and loss of life, and to strike a major blow against the U.S. economy. The CIA learned about the plot through a variety of intelligence sources, including intercepted communications between the plotters, human sources on the ground, and other intelligence agencies. Over time, the agency was able to piece together the details of the plot and identify the individuals involved. One of the key challenges facing the CIA was the fact that the plotters had gone to great lengths to conceal their communications and avoid detection. They used encrypted messaging systems and other secure methods to communicate with each other and with their handlers, making it difficult for the CIA to intercept and decipher their messages. Despite these obstacles, the CIA was eventually able to gather enough information to disrupt the plot and prevent the attack on the NYSE. The agency worked closely with other intelligence agencies and law enforcement partners to track the movements of the plotters, gather evidence, and ultimately arrest them before they could carry out their plan. The CIA’s ability to intercept communications between the plotters provided valuable information on their plans and movements. The agency also used human sources on the ground in Pakistan to gather information about the training and activities of the plotters. Secrets and danger lurk around every corner in the spy thriller MISSION OF VENGEANCE featuring CIA Spymaster Corey Pearson. Are you ready? The CIA used signals intelligence, or SIGINT, to monitor the plotters' communications and activities. The agency used sophisticated technology to intercept and analyze phone calls, emails, and other forms of electronic communication to identify key players in the plot and track their movements. The CIA also relied on traditional intelligence-gathering methods, such as surveillance and reconnaissance. The agency used drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor their movements. One of the biggest challenges facing the CIA in gathering intelligence on the plot was the plotters' use of encrypted messaging systems and other secure communication methods. This made it difficult for the agency to intercept and decipher their messages and required the use of advanced decryption technology to break through their defenses. Another challenge was the fact that the plotters were operating in a remote and hostile region of the world, making it difficult for the agency to gather reliable intelligence on their activities. However, the CIA’s use of a network of human sources and technical resources enabled analysts to gather information and piece together the details of the planned attack. Despite these challenges, the CIA was able to gather enough intelligence on the plot to disrupt it. The agency's sophisticated intelligence-gathering methods, combined with its skilled analysts and operatives, played a crucial role in safeguarding American lives and protecting national security. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

Description: Are you a history buff when it comes to the CIA? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz! See how much you know about the agency's storied past, from its origins to its modern-day operations. Following the quiz, you’ll find an in-depth historical explanation to each question and answer. You’ll become knowledgeable about the CIA’s history. Good luck on the quiz! Question 1: In what year was the CIA officially created? A) 1945 B) 1947 C) 1950 D) 1963 Question 2: What was the name of the CIA's top-secret mind control research program? A) Project Insight B) Project MKUltra C) Operation Mockingbird D) Project Azorian Question 3: Who was the first director of the CIA? A) Allen Dulles B) William Donovan C) Richard Helms D) Harry Truman Question 4: Which US president ordered the creation of the CIA? A) Franklin D. Roosevelt B) Harry S. Truman C) Dwight D. Eisenhower D) John F. Kennedy Question 5: In what year was the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed CIA-backed attempt to overthrow the government of Cuba? A) 1961 B) 1962 C) 1963 D) 1964 Answers: 1) B, 2) B, 3) A, 4) B, 5) A. Now for the history lesson! Here’s an in-depth historical description of each question and answer. Question 1: In what year was the CIA officially created? The creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1947 was a response to the changing geopolitical landscape in the aftermath of World War II. The U.S. government recognized the need for a centralized intelligence agency to provide strategic analysis and intelligence gathering to support national security interests. The National Security Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1947, established the CIA as an independent agency within the executive branch of the U.S. government. The CIA's mission was to collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence to support the president and other policymakers. The CIA's early years were marked by significant challenges, including the need to build an intelligence network from scratch and adapt to rapidly changing global events. The agency quickly became involved in covert operations, such as the overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953 and the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Despite these challenges, the CIA has remained an integral part of the U.S. government's national security apparatus. The agency has played a vital role in intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism efforts. The CIA has also been at the forefront of technological advancements, using cutting-edge tools and techniques to gather and analyze intelligence. Today, the CIA remains a highly secretive organization, with much of its work shrouded in secrecy. However, its role in protecting U.S. national security is critical, and its contributions to intelligence gathering and analysis have helped to shape U.S. foreign policy for over 70 years. Question 2: What was the name of the CIA's top-secret mind control research program? Project MKUltra was a top-secret mind control research program conducted by the CIA from the 1950s to the 1970s. The program aimed to develop techniques for mind control and interrogation, often using drugs like LSD, and was shrouded in secrecy and illegal activity. The program began in the early 1950s and was initially motivated by concerns over Soviet and Chinese brainwashing techniques. The CIA's aim was to develop methods for controlling the minds of individuals for intelligence gathering and interrogation purposes. The program involved a range of unethical and illegal activities, including experiments on human subjects without their knowledge or consent, psychological torture, and the administration of dangerous and untested drugs. One of the most notorious aspects of Project MKUltra was the use of LSD as a tool for mind control. The CIA hoped that by administering LSD to subjects, they could induce a state of mind in which the individual would be more susceptible to suggestion and control. This often involved administering large doses of LSD to subjects without their knowledge or consent, leading to severe physical and psychological harm. The program was revealed to the public in the mid-1970s, after a series of investigative reports and congressional hearings. The revelations led to widespread public outrage and criticism of the CIA's unethical and illegal activities. In response, the U.S. government launched a series of investigations into the CIA's activities, and the agency was forced to acknowledge its role in Project MKUltra and other illegal activities. The legacy of Project MKUltra is complex and controversial. While the program was widely criticized for its unethical practices and violations of human rights, it also led to significant advances in the field of psychology and neuroscience. Some of the techniques developed during Project MKUltra, such as sensory deprivation and hypnosis, continue to be used in legitimate psychological research today. However, the legacy of Project MKUltra serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked government power and the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms. The revelations about the program have also led to increased scrutiny of the CIA's activities and the need for greater transparency and accountability in intelligence gathering and analysis. Question 3: Who was the first director of the CIA? Allen Dulles was the first director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He served as director from 1953 to 1961, a period of significant growth and expansion for the agency. Dulles was born in 1893 in New York City. He studied at Princeton University and later at George Washington University Law School. After serving in World War I, he joined the law firm Sullivan and Cromwell, where he specialized in international law and represented clients in Europe and Asia. In 1942, Dulles was recruited by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA, to serve as its station chief in Bern, Switzerland. He was later promoted to head of the OSS's operations in Europe and was instrumental in organizing the agency's efforts to gather intelligence on Nazi Germany and support resistance movements in Europe. After the war, Dulles returned to his law practice but remained involved in intelligence and foreign policy issues. In 1953, he was appointed director of the newly created CIA by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. As director of the CIA, Dulles oversaw a significant expansion of the agency's activities and capabilities. Under his leadership, the CIA was involved in a wide range of covert operations, including the overthrow of foreign governments, support for anti-communist forces in the Cold War, and the development of new technologies for intelligence gathering and analysis. Dulles was also involved in some of the CIA's most controversial activities, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the assassination of foreign leaders. He was criticized by many for his role in these operations, and his tenure as director of the CIA was marked by controversy and criticism. Despite these criticisms, Dulles is remembered as a key figure in the early history of the CIA and the development of American intelligence capabilities. His legacy continues to be debated and studied by scholars and policymakers, with some viewing him as a visionary leader and others as a symbol of the dangers of unchecked government power. Question 4: Which US president ordered the creation of the CIA? Harry S. Truman was the US president who ordered the creation of the CIA. Truman's decision to establish the agency was driven by the need for better coordination and analysis of intelligence in the aftermath of World War II. Truman was born in Missouri in 1884 and grew up on a farm. He served in the Missouri National Guard and the US Army during World War I, rising to the rank of captain. After the war, he returned to Missouri and entered politics, eventually becoming a US senator. In 1945, Truman became president of the United States following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman faced a series of significant challenges during his presidency, including the end of World War II, the beginning of the Cold War, and the Korean War. One of Truman's key accomplishments as president was the establishment of the CIA in 1947. The agency was created by the National Security Act, which reorganized the US military and intelligence agencies and established the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. Truman believed that the CIA would be an essential tool for protecting American interests and promoting national security. He saw the agency as a way to gather and analyze intelligence from around the world, to support US foreign policy goals, and to conduct covert operations to advance American interests. Despite Truman's support for the CIA, he was also aware of the potential dangers of unchecked intelligence activities. He famously warned against the creation of a "Gestapo-like" secret police force in the United States and called for greater transparency and oversight of the intelligence community. Truman's decision to create the CIA was a significant milestone in the history of American intelligence and had far-reaching implications for US foreign policy and national security. The agency has played a critical role in many of the most significant events of the past 75 years, from the Cold War to the war on terror, and continues to be a key player in the world of intelligence and national security. Question 5: In what year was the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed CIA-backed attempt to overthrow the government of Cuba? The Bay of Pigs invasion was a CIA-backed attempt to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro in Cuba. The invasion was launched on April 17, 1961, when a force of around 1,500 Cuban exiles, trained and equipped by the CIA, landed at the Bay of Pigs on the southern coast of Cuba. The operation was planned and executed by the administration of President John F. Kennedy, who had taken office in January 1961. The Kennedy administration hoped that the invasion would spark an uprising among the Cuban people against Castro's government and lead to the overthrow of the regime. However, the operation was a disaster. The Cuban military was well-prepared and quickly overwhelmed the invading force. The exiles were outnumbered and outgunned, and after just three days of fighting, they were forced to surrender. The invasion resulted in the deaths of over 100 Cuban exiles and marked a significant failure of US foreign policy and intelligence operations. The Bay of Pigs invasion was a turning point in the Cold War and had significant implications for US-Cuban relations. It led to a hardening of Castro's stance towards the United States and pushed Cuba further into the orbit of the Soviet Union. The failure of the operation was a major embarrassment for the Kennedy administration and exposed weaknesses in US intelligence and military capabilities. It also raised questions about the use of covert operations to achieve foreign policy goals and prompted a reevaluation of US foreign policy in Latin America. In the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs, the Kennedy administration made a number of changes to the way that the CIA operated, including increasing oversight and transparency and scaling back covert operations. The invasion remains a cautionary tale of the dangers of overconfidence and the challenges of intelligence and foreign policy in the modern era. Congratulations on finishing the CIA history spy quiz! I hope you learned something new and exciting about the agency's storied past, from its origins to its modern-day operations. From the creation of the CIA and its first director to the dark secrets of Project MKUltra and the Bay of Pigs invasion, the history of the CIA is full of fascinating facts and stories. Whether you're a history buff or just looking to test your knowledge, we hope you enjoyed the quiz and learned something new about one of the most secretive agencies in the world. Keep exploring the world of intelligence and espionage, and who knows what secrets you might uncover! Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

All eyes are on the Middle East. Israel has successfully launched a first strike on Iran, taking out all of their nuclear sites and six of their nuclear warheads-and causing The Twelfth Imam to order a full-scale retaliation. US President William Jackson threatens to support a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Jewish State for unprovoked and unwarranted acts of aggression.Meanwhile, CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime and intercepted information indicating that two Iranian nuclear warheads survived the attack and have been moved to a secure and undisclosed location. In danger not only from the ongoing missile strikes on Iran but also from the increasingly hostile and suspicious governments of multiple countries, David and his team are in a race against time to find the remaining nuclear warheads before disaster strikes.

An NRO spy satellite The NRO is the most super-secret intelligence agency; it maintains America’s spy satellite fleet- its very existence was classified and hid from the public until 1992, when the DCI recommended its presence be declassified. The NRO stands for the “National Reconnaissance Office”, a U.S. Government intelligence agency in charge of designing, building, launching, and maintaining America's spy satellites. It is not part of the CIA and is integrated into the Department of Defense (DOD) agency- but it is staffed by both DOD and CIA personnel. It is funded through the National Reconnaissance Program, part of the National Foreign Intelligence Program. The NRO work for the Secretary of Defense and the Director of the NRO reports to both the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense. You probably guessed by now that it is a hybrid organization consisting of some 3,000 personnel including NRO cadre, Air Force, Army, CIA, NGA, NSA, Navy and US Space Force personnel! No surprise that it is funded out of both the U.S. intelligence budget and the military budget to the tune of roughly $ 6.7 billion annually. Its amalgam nature symbolizes its importance to America’s national security; it is committed to protecting the security of the U.S., its citizens, and its allies through unparalleled capabilities in space-based intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance. NRO spy satellites capture signals and images that are critical to keeping us out of harm’s way. Not only do they reveal threats to the homeland, but they also provide battlefield awareness, support counternarcotics, survey the damage from natural disasters, and much more. The reason the NRO was created further shows its importance. It was formed during the height of the Cold War when the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite. The POTUS immediately created a super-secret, classified organization on September 6, 1961that would oversee “all satellite and overflight reconnaissance projects whether overt or covert”. The NRO remained a secret until 1992. In the MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, the CIA relies heavily on NRO spy satellites to help it execute its missions. Here’s a short Snippet: Snippet: “We’re operating at Obscure Transgression. The OT team is officially activated although I already called in team eleven and they’re here now. The Dirty Tricks Division is sailing from Abaco, Bahamas as we speak, and Morrison is repositioning the stealth satellites to fly over Bocharov’s estate. In fact, the IMINT satellite is snapping pictures right now.” End of Snippet Lastly, enjoy this video- WE ARE THE NRO. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

The CIA may not modify cars to the extent that MI6 does in the James Bond movies, but it has done some neat stuff with vehicles and sedans. It is true that the agency does not have the same capabilities as those depicted in James Bond movies, as its primary focus is intelligence gathering and analysis, and the agency does not have the same resources as fictional intelligence agencies like MI6. While the CIA may have some specialized equipment and vehicles for specific operations, it does not have the capability to regularly modify cars to the extent seen in James Bond movies. The CIA uses a variety of vehicles for specific operations, depending on the mission requirements and the environment in which the operation takes place. Unmarked sedans and SUVs are commonly used for surveillance operations and can blend in with traffic to avoid detection. One example of the use of unmarked vehicles for surveillance occurred in 2014 when the CIA conducted a covert operation to monitor Russian diplomats in Washington D.C. and New York City. CIA operatives used unmarked sedans and SUVs to follow the Russian diplomats, and the vehicles were equipped with cameras and other surveillance equipment to gather intelligence. The operation took place over several years and was part of a broader effort to monitor Russian intelligence activities in the United States. It seems the CIA likes to use unmarked vehicles for surveillance operations in urban environments. In one of its operations during the hunt for Osama bin Laden, CIA operatives used a car, specifically a sedan, in 2010 to conduct surveillance on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden was believed to be hiding. The team used a variety of vehicles, including at least one unmarked sedan, to move around the city and gather intelligence. The sedan was used to blend in with local traffic and avoid drawing attention to the surveillance team. It may have also been equipped with specialized surveillance equipment to monitor communications or capture images and video of the compound. Ultimately, the CIA's efforts, including the use of sedans and other vehicles, led to the successful raid on the Abbottabad compound in 2011, which resulted in the death of bin Laden. The vehicles used by CIA operatives are not equipped with the gadgets and weapons that “Q” installed in James Bond’s Aston Martin, such as ejector seats, machine guns hidden behind the headlights, oil slick dispensers to lay a slick of oil on the road to spin out pursuing vehicles, smoke screens to obscure their car from view, or tire slashers and rocket launchers. However, some have bulletproof glass, like the sedan used to monitor bin Laden. In fact, the sedan had some impressive gadgets on board, such as surveillance equipment that monitored communications and captured images and video of bin Laden's compound. It was fitted with high-quality cameras capable of capturing clear images and video footage of the compound from a distance. The sedan was equipped with sophisticated listening devices, such as directional microphones or parabolic reflectors, which could pick up conversations and other sounds from a distance. The communication intercept equipment installed in the sedan intercepted and decoded communications, such as cell phone signals or radio transmissions, to gather intelligence on the activities of those inside bin Laden’s compound. To ensure that their communications remained secure, the sedan and the team operating it used advanced encryption and secure communications protocols to prevent their transmissions from being intercepted or monitored by the enemy. Ultimately, the CIA's efforts, including the use of sedans and other vehicles, led to the successful raid on the Abbottabad compound in 2011, which resulted in the death of bin Laden. Another instance where the CIA used a car for an operation was during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. The CIA used a specially modified Lincoln Continental sedan to help smuggle six American diplomats out of Iran. The car was modified with a variety of features to help the diplomats evade detection and escape from the country. The Continental was bulletproof and fitted with armor plating to protect the occupants from gunfire and other attacks. It also had hidden compartments to conceal the diplomats and their belongings during the escape. The car was equipped with top-of-the-line communications equipment, like a satellite phone and other communication devices, to stay connected with the outside world and to coordinate the escape. Lastly, the car's license plates were altered to make it more difficult for Iranian authorities to track it. Overall, the CIA's use of the specially modified Lincoln Continental played a crucial role in the successful escape of the American diplomats from Iran and demonstrated the agency's ability to creatively adapt and modify vehicles for covert operations. The CIA employed a fleet of specially modified Ford sedans for surveillance and intelligence gathering during the Cold War. The cars, known as "Fords of the CIA," were modified with a range of features to aid in covert operations. These modifications included: · Custom paint jobs and license plates to help the cars blend in and avoid detection. · Hidden compartments and storage areas to conceal surveillance equipment and other sensitive materials. · Special communication systems that allowed agents in the cars to communicate with each other and with headquarters. · Advanced surveillance equipment, including cameras and listening devices that were used to monitor targets. · Additional security features, such as bulletproof glass and reinforced frames, to protect agents in dangerous situations. The "Fords of the CIA" were used in a variety of operations throughout the Cold War, including surveillance of foreign leaders and tracking the movements of suspected spies. The cars were a key tool in the agency's efforts to gather intelligence and maintain national security during this tumultuous period of history. So, while James Bond might have his flashy cars, the real heroes of espionage drove the "Fords of the CIA." And if you want to see these cars in action, check out the spy thriller MISSION OF VENGEANCE where these cars play a crucial role in the CIA's efforts to take down an evil villain. Who needs a sports car when you have a "Ford of the CIA"? Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

Barry L. Becker served as the vice president of international marketing and sales from 1984-1991 for Eyedentify, a company specializing in eye-retinal biometrics technology for positive identification. In 1987, his article entitled “Eyedentify Counters Security Threat” appeared in the Journal of Defense and Diplomacy, Volume 5, Number 3. The article: https://Inkd.in/eQF8f7 Mr. Becker retired in 2013 after spending over twenty years as a sole proprietor of an independent manufacturers’ rep firm based in Portland, Oregon, covering the Pacific Northwest. He has also consulted for biometrics technology companies since 1991.

The topic of secret Russian bioweapons labs and their potential to cause harm has become increasingly relevant in recent times. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about the use of bioweapons as a tool of warfare or terrorism have grown. While U.S. intelligence uncovered no evidence that any bioweapons have been used in the current pandemic, the possibility remains that such weapons could be developed and deployed in the future. In fact, U.S. intelligence has been monitoring a suspected secret Russian bioweapons lab that is believed to be operating clandestinely. The suspicions are based on satellite imagery and other unnamed intelligence gathering methods that have identified unusual activity at the site, including the construction of new buildings and the presence of military personnel. The facility may be conducting research on dangerous pathogens and developing bioweapons that could be used against the United States and its allies. The situation is being closely monitored by U.S. intelligence, but the covert nature of the facility makes it difficult to determine its true purpose and capabilities. This finding by U.S. intelligence motivated me to write the spy novel THE SHADOW WAR, which centers around CIA Spymaster Corey Pearson's efforts to prevent the release of a deadly bioweapon by Russian Intelligence. The novel sheds light on the world of espionage and the dangers posed by bioweapons, both real and imagined. As such, it provides a timely and thought-provoking read for those interested in the intersection of science and international politics. The Soviet Union had an extensive bioweapons program that began in the 1920s and continued until the 1990s. It was kept highly secretive and conducted research and development of biological agents in numerous facilities across the country, including the State Scientific Research Institute of Microbiology in Moscow, which was one of the largest and most advanced bioweapons research labs in the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, there are several other major sites in the country that are known for their work on deadly viruses and biological agents. The Vector Institute, located in Siberia, conducts research on the Ebola virus and smallpox. Another facility, the Kirov Bioweapons Production Facility, located in the Ural Mountains, was used during the Soviet era to produce anthrax and other bioweapons. In addition to these facilities, there is the Scientific Research Institute of Biological Instrumentation located in St. Petersburg. It specializes in developing advanced equipment and technology for bioweapons research. In addition, U.S. intelligence monitors the Biopreparat State Research Center, a network of facilities located throughout Russia that were built during the Soviet era for the development and production of biological weapons. U.S. intelligence is concerned about all these sites, and suspicions mount that Russia is developing new and advanced bioweapons that could pose a threat to global security. The world remains on edge as these facilities continue their work behind closed doors, hidden from the prying eyes of international inspectors. During the Cold War era, the Soviet bioweapons program developed advanced delivery systems for biological agents, which included aerial bombs, missile warheads, and sprayers. These delivery systems were designed to disperse the biological agents over a wide area, allowing for maximum casualties and widespread destruction. How deadly could these bioweapons be? The Soviet Union developed extremely lethal biological agents, including anthrax, smallpox, plague, and tularemia. Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and can cause severe illness or death. Smallpox is caused by the variola virus and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide before being eradicated in 1979. Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and can be spread through contact with infected animals or fleas. Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis and can cause severe illness or death if left untreated. Many inside U.S. intelligence remained skeptical when the Soviet Union officially renounced the use of biological weapons in 1972. In fact, many experts believe that some, possibly all, of these secret bioweapons labs are still operating clandestinely today, continuing to develop deadly biological agents that could pose a threat to global security. The shadowy world of bioweapons development is a key theme in THE SHADOW WAR, where I highlight the dangers of such weapons and the need for continued vigilance in preventing their use. In THE SHADOW WAR, CIA Spymaster Corey Pearson and his counterintelligence team discover a new virus bioweapon that will cause mass casualties in the United States. The discovery is made through a combination of HUMINT intelligence gathering, satellite surveillance, and undercover operations. They uncover evidence that Russian sleeper cells inside the U.S. plan to release the bioweapon before the presidential election in order to ensure that a fictional and corrupt Senator Cummings beats the current POTUS Rhinehart. The bioweapon is designed to be easily disseminated through a variety of delivery systems, including sprayers, in order to infect a large number of people quickly and easily. The spy thriller drives home what the devastating consequences would be if such a bioweapon were to be released inside America. The virus would spread rapidly, cause widespread illness and death, overwhelm healthcare systems, and disrupt American society and the economy. The potential for the virus to mutate and become even more deadly would also be a concern. CIA spymaster Pearson and his counterintelligence team work tirelessly to prevent the release of the bioweapon. Pearson’s efforts to track down and stop the Russian sleeper cells highlights the urgent need for U.S. intelligence along with law enforcement to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the development and use of bioweapons, due to he high stakes involved if they fail. The motivation behind the Russian spies’ plan is political in nature. Russian intelligence has identified Senator Cummings as a favorable candidate who would be more likely to advance Russia's interests if elected. By creating chaos and instability in the United States through the release of the bioweapon, Russia hopes to sway the election in Senator Cummings' favor. Although fictional, the bioweapon attack plan highlights the ongoing threat posed by foreign intelligence agencies and their willingness to use extreme measures to achieve their goals. The situation underscores the importance of robust intelligence gathering and analysis to identify potential threats before they can be carried out. In THE SHADOW WAR, Russian sleeper cells plan to use a sprayer device to release the bioweapon in a densely populated area of the United States. The sprayer device is a type of aerosol dispersal system that releases the bioweapon into the air, allowing it to be inhaled by those in the surrounding area. The use of a sprayer device underscores the potential vulnerability of densely populated areas in the US to bioweapon attacks. Populated cities and urban centers are at particular risk, given the high concentration of people and the difficulty of containing the spread of a contagious disease in such environments. Additionally, other potential targets could include transportation hubs such as airports or train stations, where infected individuals could spread the disease to others who are traveling. Corey Pearson and his team work to identify potential targets and areas of vulnerability within the US population. They recognize that the key to preventing an attack is to identify and disrupt the delivery system before it can be deployed. This requires extensive intelligence gathering, analysis, and coordination with other government agencies and international partners. In conclusion, the potential dangers posed by bioweapons are immense and the threat they pose cannot be underestimated. The history of Soviet-era bioweapons programs serves as a chilling reminder of the continuing risks posed by Russian bioweapons labs. U.S. intelligence must continue its vigilance and monitoring of Russian bioweapons labs to ensure that they do not pose a threat to global security and stability. The fictional account in THE SHADOW WAR may not be that fictional at all. The consequences of a bioweapon attack are simply too great to ignore, and we must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent such an event from occurring. Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.

In his latest novel, David Ignatius tackles the intersection of quantum computing and spying

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A CIA counterterrorist gets caught in the middle of a deadly Beltway power play in Flynn's (Balance of Power) latest political thriller. Long on one-dimensional characters, action scenes and espionage details, it falls short on comprehensible plotting. Battle-scarred protagonist Mitch Rapp returns to take on a sensitive new assignment in Europe, only to have things go awry when his two CIA colleagues turn on him following the assassination of a wealthy German count who has been selling arms to Saddam Hussein. Rapp survives their double-dealing, but he is forced to go underground to decipher the labyrinthine chain of political connections and to learn who was trying to have him killed. Back in Washington, a similar game of spy-versus-spy is being conducted by the elderly, dying director of the CIA and his chosen successor. Rapp eventually surfaces to help his bosses, but things get personal for the ace counterterrorist when Rapp's bride-to-be is kidnapped as part of the ongoing political maneuvers. Flynn sweats the small stuff to bring his conspiracy to life, but he also introduces enough secondary characters to populate two novels, and he frequently stalls the narrative momentum by providing an overwhelming level of detail regarding various high-tech gadgets and espionage operations. The biggest disappointment, though, comes at the end, when the book is exposed as a shameless setup for a sequel. Flynn is a popular writer, but his third thriller won't do much to enhance his critical reputation or his sales. 9-city author tour. (Nov.)

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