Intelligence

Former Career US Diplomat Charged with Spying for Cuban Intelligence for Decades

MIAMI (AP) — A former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia has been charged with serving as a mole... Read More

MIAMI (AP) — A former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia has been charged with serving as a mole for Cuba's intelligence services dating back decades, the Justice Department said Monday. Newly unsealed court papers allege that Manuel Rocha... Read More

2023-09-15 20:20:18
by Kate Michael
DHS Chief Intelligence Officer Pushes for Increased Transparency

WASHINGTON — In the wake of controversies that surfaced in the summer of 2020 regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s... Read More

WASHINGTON — In the wake of controversies that surfaced in the summer of 2020 regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Secretary Ken Wainstein is on somewhat of a transparency tour. This coincides with Congress facing... Read More

2023-03-17 20:33:22
by Dan McCue
Still No Word on Whether Biden Will Sign COVID Intelligence Bill

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday ignored shouted questions from reporters about whether he’ll sign legislation that unanimously passed... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday ignored shouted questions from reporters about whether he’ll sign legislation that unanimously passed Congress last week calling for declassification of information on the origins of COVID-19. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine... Read More

2023-02-13 21:28:01
by Dan McCue
Biden to Establish Interagency Group to Look Into UFOs in US Airspace

WASHINGTON — The White House announced Monday that President Joe Biden is establishing an interagency group to look into unidentified... Read More

WASHINGTON — The White House announced Monday that President Joe Biden is establishing an interagency group to look into unidentified objects in U.S. airspace. The formation of the inquiry team was announced by White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby,... Read More

2022-09-30 21:11:10
by Dan McCue
Garland Sets New Rules for DOJ’s Use of State Secrets Privilege

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday imposed a new set of rules Justice Department officials will have to... Read More

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday imposed a new set of rules Justice Department officials will have to follow to invoke the state secrets privilege in litigation in the name of protecting national security. In a memo sent... Read More

2022-05-18 00:16:29
by Tom Ramstack
UFOs Described at Congressional Hearing as Potential National Security Threat

WASHINGTON — Defense intelligence officials told a congressional panel Tuesday that sightings of "unidentified aerial phenomena" are increasing but they... Read More

WASHINGTON — Defense intelligence officials told a congressional panel Tuesday that sightings of "unidentified aerial phenomena" are increasing but they could not explain why. They don’t know where they come from or how the ultra-fast flying discs stay in the... Read More

2022-03-11 18:17:27
by Tom Ramstack
Intelligence Officers Warn of Dangers as Russian Invasion of Ukraine Gets Uglier

WASHINGTON — The world has become a more dangerous place in the past three weeks since the Russian invasion of... Read More

WASHINGTON — The world has become a more dangerous place in the past three weeks since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, U.S. intelligence officials told a Senate panel Thursday. In addition to Russia’s war with Ukraine threatening to spread much... Read More

2021-12-13 21:11:47
by Dan McCue
Homeland Security Chair ‘Deeply’ Disturbed by Report Government Surveilled Journalists

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security says he’s “deeply” disturbed by multiple news reports suggesting... Read More

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security says he’s “deeply” disturbed by multiple news reports suggesting an elite branch of U.S. Customs and Border Protection used government databases to investigate as many as 20 journalists, as... Read More

2021-10-27 14:42:02
by Kate Michael
Retired Clandestine Service Officer’s New Book Filled with Spy Stories and CIA Critique

WASHINGTON — After 34 years in the CIA — both in clandestine service and as an operations officer — Douglas... Read More

WASHINGTON — After 34 years in the CIA — both in clandestine service and as an operations officer — Douglas London has some great stories in the life of a spy, but he also has some criticisms of the agency... Read More

CIA creates Working Group on China as Threats Keep Rising

WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA said Thursday it will create a top-level working group on China as part of a... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The CIA said Thursday it will create a top-level working group on China as part of a broad U.S. government effort focused on countering Beijing's influence.  The group will become one of fewer than a dozen mission... Read More

One to Charge Them All: EU Demands Single Plug for Phones

LONDON (AP) — The European Union unveiled plans Thursday to require smartphone makers to adopt a single charging method for... Read More

LONDON (AP) — The European Union unveiled plans Thursday to require smartphone makers to adopt a single charging method for mobile devices. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, proposed legislation that would mandate USB-C cables for charging, technology that... Read More

2021-08-18 20:46:09
by Tom Ramstack
Inspector General Report Describes Intelligence Failings in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Defense Department officials on Wednesday afternoon acknowledged the kind of surprise about the fall of Afghanistan mentioned... Read More

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Defense Department officials on Wednesday afternoon acknowledged the kind of surprise about the fall of Afghanistan mentioned in a new inspector general’s report. “No, I did not see a collapse of an army of that size in... Read More

Biden Orders More Intel Investigation of COVID-19 Origin

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence officials to "redouble" their efforts to investigate the origins of the... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence officials to "redouble" their efforts to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any possibility the trail might lead to a Chinese laboratory.  After months of minimizing that possibility as... Read More

2021-04-13 18:08:33
by TWN Staff
Murphy Sets Sights On China’s Influence Campaign in Latin America, Caribbean

WASHINGTON - Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., is pressing for a comprehensive assessment of China’s efforts to expand its presence and... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., is pressing for a comprehensive assessment of China’s efforts to expand its presence and influence in Latin America and the Caribbean and how these efforts could undermine American interests. Under the auspices of a... Read More

Biden Chooses Veteran Diplomat Burns as CIA Director

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday he has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns to be his CIA director.... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday he has chosen veteran diplomat William Burns to be his CIA director. A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, had a 33-year career at the State Department under both Republican... Read More

2020-07-25 19:08:59
by Dan McCue
China, Russia and Iran Top Election Security Threats, Counterintelligence Chief Says

WASHINGTON - China, Russia and Iran are continuing to try to disrupt political campaigns and the 2020 general election, posing... Read More

WASHINGTON - China, Russia and Iran are continuing to try to disrupt political campaigns and the 2020 general election, posing "a direct threat to the fabric of our Democracy," the nation's top counterintelligence official said Friday. William Evanina, director of... Read More

2020-07-10 20:07:32
by Dan McCue
Cunningham, Murphy Want Congress Informed When Foreign Entities Target US Troops

WASHINGTON - Reps. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., and Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., want intelligence officials to immediately notify key members of Congress... Read More

WASHINGTON - Reps. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., and Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., want intelligence officials to immediately notify key members of Congress when they determine -- with moderate to high confidence -- that a foreign government is deliberately seeking to kill or... Read More

Bipartisan Opposition Leaves Surveillance Bill in Doubt

WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation extending surveillance authorities the FBI sees as vital in fighting terrorism was thrown into doubt as... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation extending surveillance authorities the FBI sees as vital in fighting terrorism was thrown into doubt as President Donald Trump threatened a veto and Republican leaders and top liberal Democrats said they would oppose it. House Democratic... Read More

2020-05-26 19:52:41
by Dan McCue
Lofgren Announces FISA Amendment Agreement, Clearing Way for House Vote

WASHINGTON - Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., announced Tuesday there will be a vote tomorrow on a measure she's championed to... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., announced Tuesday there will be a vote tomorrow on a measure she's championed to prohibit the collection of Americans’ internet search history and web browsing data without a warrant. Since January, Lofgren, Rep. Warren... Read More

2020-05-21 20:24:12
by Dan McCue
Senate Confirms Ratcliffe as National Intelligence Chief

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday confirmed Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence, placing him at the... Read More

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday confirmed Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence, placing him at the head of several agencies from which President Donald Trump jettisoned official after official. The last Senate-confirmed director of national intelligence,... Read More

2020-05-19 13:59:18
by Dan McCue
Rubio to Lead Senate Intelligence Committee

WASHINGTON - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has been tapped to be the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, taking... Read More

WASHINGTON - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has been tapped to be the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, taking the place of Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who stepped down last week amid an investigation into his stock transactions. Burr... Read More

2020-03-17 14:08:05
by Dan McCue
Senate Reaches Deal for 77-Day Extension of FISA Authorities

WASHINGTON - The Senate reached a short-term deal Monday night on reinstating national security authorities that expired over the weekend,... Read More

WASHINGTON - The Senate reached a short-term deal Monday night on reinstating national security authorities that expired over the weekend, giving the chamber a chance to pivot to debate coronavirus relief legislation. Senators unanimously agreed to a 77-day extension of... Read More

House Clinches Deal to Renew Spy Bill With Tight Senate Timeline

WASHINGTON — House negotiators reached a bipartisan agreement to extend provisions of a law authorizing surveillance of suspected spies and... Read More

WASHINGTON — House negotiators reached a bipartisan agreement to extend provisions of a law authorizing surveillance of suspected spies and terrorists, according to Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat. Lawmakers are trying to avoid a temporary lapse or the need... Read More

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