SpyTalk Intelligence for Thinking People
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A Life Amid Spies: The Two Koreas
by Roberta Cohen on December 11, 2025
In part four of her series, former State Department official and human rights advocate Roberta Cohen recalls efforts by South Korean intelligence to steer her activism and the North’s to thwart it.
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Mossad Falls Victim to Netanyahu’s Desperation
by Yossi Melman on December 9, 2025
A scandal-riven former general will run Israel’s leading spy agency, obliterating a tradition of nonpartisan professionals in the job
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New in SpyWeek: Putin Named in UK Hit, Russia Targets Germany, Pipe Bomber Nabbed, Hegseth Creamed, "Americans" Star Resurfaces
by Jeff Stein on December 8, 2025
Welcome to Spy Week, a curated compilation of important news from the intersection of intelligence, foreign relations and military operations.
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The Fate of the Nation and Donald Trump's Brain
by Jeff Stein on December 5, 2025
Flinging insults, up all night, xenophobic rages, zig-zag policies, crazy pardons. What should we think about Trump's mental state? The fate of Kaiser Wilhelm II offers clues.
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A Life Amid Spies: The KGB
by Roberta Cohen on December 4, 2025
In part three of her series, former State Department official and human rights advocate Roberta Cohen recalls her run-ins with Soviet agents
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The Afghan Shooter and the Limits of Vetting
by Jeff Stein on December 3, 2025
For former CIA soldier Rahmanullah Lakanwal, life just got too hard
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The Gift of Giving
by Jeff Stein on December 2, 2025
Do keep SpyTalk in your thoughts on this special day of limitless generosity
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New in SpyWeek: CIA Vetting, Ukraine Intel, Private Russia Deals, Kash in a Barrel
by Jeff Stein on December 1, 2025
Welcome to Spy Week, a curated compilation of important news from the intersection of intelligence, foreign relations and military operations.
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SpyFaces in the Crowd: Maggie Goodlander
by Tomás Dinges on November 29, 2025
The high-flying congresswoman and former Navy Intelligence officer is targeted by Trump as one of the Seditious Six
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SpyTalking Turkey
by Jeff Stein on November 27, 2025
Give yourself the gift of giving
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The Life and Times of a Ruthless Mossad Chief
by Yossi Melman on November 25, 2025
A new biography of Meir Dagan covers his career from decorated soldier to death dealing Israeli spy boss, to his open disgust for Netanyahu
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The Life and Times of a Ruthless Mossad Chief
by Yossi Melman on November 25, 2025
A new biography of Meir Dagan traces his career from decorated soldier to death dealing Israeli spy boss and beyond
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A Life Amid Spies
by Roberta Cohen on November 24, 2025
In part two of her series, former State Department official and human rights advocate Roberta Cohen recalls her effort to stop a CIA op in Ethiopia that risked the life of a friendly local official
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SpyWeek: Top Dems Accept Trump Intel on Drug Boats But Knock 'Politicisation' of Spy Agencies
by Jeff Stein on November 22, 2025
Welcome to Spy Week, a curated compilation of important news from the intersection of intelligence, foreign relations and military operations.
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Top U.S. Senator Calls Trump’s “Traitor” Posts Extremely Dangerous
by Michael Isikoff on November 21, 2025
Sen. Jack Reed, ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, worries that Trump’s “preposterous” attacks could lead to “lethal action” against his colleagues
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A Life Amid Spies
by Roberta Cohen on November 18, 2025
Former State Department official and human rights advocate Roberta Cohen recalls her brushes with U.S. and foreign intelligence agents through the decades
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Risking a National Security Disaster
by Ronald Kessler on November 17, 2025
Longtime FBI watcher Ron Kessler says stripping counterintelligence primacy from the bureau is a terrible idea
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SpyWeek: Rifts with Spy Allies Over Venezuela, Kash Slights MI5, Rubio Targets Foreign Antifa
by Jeff Stein on November 16, 2025
Also: China spy flies, Russia spy ship off Hawaii, Clapper subpoenaed, Bongino poly nixed, MK Ultra hospital sued
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Clapper Subpoenaed in DOJ Probe of Obama-era Review of 2016 Russian Election Interference
by Michael Isikoff on November 15, 2025
Former intelligence chief is among more than a dozen Obama era officials ensnared in widening Florida-based investigation
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New in SpyFaces in the Crowd: Rick Crawford, from Bomb Tech to Intelligence Committee Chair
by Tomás Dinges on November 13, 2025
The Arkansas Tea Party Republican’s loyalty to Trump has paid off big time






