The Assassin Who Came in From the Cold
Nikolai Khokhlov was a Soviet war hero and agent selected for a dangerous mission: kill a Russian dissident in Frankfurt, West Germany. Khokhlov went to Frankfurt as ordered, but his actions there shocked his superiors in Moscow, and opened a new chapter in the Cold War.
Seven More Must-Read Books on Spycraft and Espionage
The question I am asked most frequently is what books I recommend for further reading on the topics I write about. There are a trove of fascinating true tales of espionage out there, and I want to share with you seven more books that are sure to hold your interest and take you down new paths.
The Guns of Welwyn: Weapons of the British SOE
During WWII, British technicians and engineers developed an incredible variety of weapons and gadgets at Station IX located on the grounds of the Frythe Estate near Welwyn, England. Here are five of the unique weapons they developed for use behind enemy lines.
The Clandestine Operative’s Sidearm of Choice
Among intelligence agencies and clandestine organizations, the High Standard Model HD Military Silencer (MS) is the standard for suppressed pistols by which all others are judged. First adopted in 1944, the pistol remained in the inventory of the CIA as late as the 1990s and possibly beyond.
Seven Amazing Spy Vehicles to Rival 007
A James Bond film wouldn’t be complete without a flashy sports car loaded with hidden weapons and gadgets. Although the real world of spycraft features very few high-speed car chases, there’s no question that espionage occasionally requires unique forms of transportation.
Nine Famous Female Spies, Saboteurs, and Double Agents
Female spies, saboteurs, and double agents have left their mark on history for centuries. Often overlooked or underestimated, they have proven every bit the equal of their male counterparts time and time again. Here are nine of the most famous women from the world of spycraft.
Radioactive Tea: The Death of Alexander Litvinenko
Arguably the most famous Russian assassination-by-poisoning occurred on November 1st 2006, when Alexander Litvinenko, a former member of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) suddenly fell ill after a meeting in London with some of his old comrades.
Ten Unique Weapons from the World of Spycraft
Some incredibly creative weapons and gadgets have come out of research laboratories and been placed in the hands of spies, saboteurs, and guerillas all over the world. Here is a sampling of ten of the most unique weapons from the world of spycraft.
Poison Perfume: How the GRU Hunted Down a Defector in London
Former GRU Colonel Sergei Skripal was living a quiet life in Salisbury England when some of his old colleagues came calling in March 2018. He had earned the ire of Vladimir Putin years earlier, and Putin was not one to forgive or forget his enemies.
Death by Umbrella: The Murder of Georgi Markov by the Bulgarian Security Service in London, 1978
On September 7th, 1978, Georgi Markov was walking along a crowded sidewalk on the Waterloo Bridge over the River Thames. Suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his right thigh, he turned to see a man picking up an umbrella off the sidewalk. A taxi pulled up beside the stranger, who entered it and immediately departed the area.
Russian Stagecraft: The Ryan Fogle Debacle
In May 2013, the Central Intelligence Agency suffered one of its most embarrassing fiascoes in recent memory. Not embarrassing in the sense that illegal or immoral activities were brought to light before a Congressional committee. Rather, embarrassing in the sense that one of their case officers looked like a complete fool on the international stage.
Eight Unforgettable Books About Spycraft and Espionage
I’ve read dozens of books over the years; visited museums all over the United States, and conversed with many knowledgeable current and former members of the intelligence community.Here I want to provide you with some of my favorite references for diving ever deeper into the world of spycraft.
Ten of the Most Realistic Spy Films of All Time
Spy films are a Hollywood mainstay, and consistently draw the attention of moviegoers the world over. Most spy films are heavy on the fantasy and action, and light on real spycraft. Here I review my ten favorite spy films that give viewers the most real look into the world of spies and spycraft.
Unbreakable: 949 Days in a Cuban Prison
The incredible story of three brave and resourceful CIA technicians incarcerated for years by Fidel Castro, in the infamous Presidio Modelo prison. There, they undermined the guard force and the Castro regime alike again and again from inside the walls, using their engineering skills, personal courage and American spirit.
Elicitation Techniques: Five Strategies to Learn Anything from Anyone
There are techniques as old as society itself which are one of the mainstays of the spy world, which always have and always will yield great results. These techniques can be practiced by anyone, at any time, starting right now! These highly effective techniques are grouped together and known as elicitation.
Six Tips for Using a Burner Phone to Enhance Your Privacy
Every aspect of your life is tracked, logged, measured, analyzed, and acted upon. An easy way to circumvent a wide variety of active and passive tracking is to disengage from your primary phone and start using a secondary or temporary phone purchased for cash. These are often known as burner phones.
Spies in Uniform: The US Military Liaison Mission in East Germany
With the ever-present specter of another World War hanging over the entire region, the Military Liaison Mission was a high-pressure assignment that attracted some of the most capable service members America could produce.
An Introduction to Spycraft and Espionage
Why did you find your way here? Because you are fascinated by the world of espionage. It’s been romanticized in film and literature for decades, most notably by the James Bond films. Wearing a tuxedo, loaded down with gadgets, driving a fast car with a beautiful girl in the passenger seat. You’ve seen it a dozen times.