Amazon’s new ‘secret region’ for the CIA

Amazon Web Services last week unveiled a new cloud computing "secret region" to store classified information for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other members of the American intelligence community. In 2013 it was revealed that the CIA was pursuing a $600 million cloud computing contract with Amazon, in what The Atlantic has described as … Continue reading Amazon’s new ‘secret region’ for the CIA

CIA spies on ‘liaison services’ — including other US intel community members?

In the wake of the 2016 U.S. election, Wikileaks and its founder Julian Assange have become, if possible, even more controversial than they were previously. Yet their latest contribution to the political chaos swirling in Washington may set some kind of new record. In March, Wikileaks began publishing a trove of Central Intelligence Agency documents … Continue reading CIA spies on ‘liaison services’ — including other US intel community members?

Truth, lies and Reality Winner

The day after NBC News aired an exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and just days before former FBI Director James Comey's highly anticipated testimony on his investigation into potential Trump administration collusion with Russia, another sensational storyline related to Russian meddling in the U.S. election emerged June 5 -- this one threatening to … Continue reading Truth, lies and Reality Winner

A tale of two FBI bosses, Trump-Russia ties, deception and the media

Following President Donald Trump's surprise firing of FBI Director James Comey last week, major developments in the Russia investigation story have been unfolding almost too quickly to follow. Wednesday's appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as the new Justice Department special counsel to investigate election interference allegations, however, provides an opportunity to reflect on … Continue reading A tale of two FBI bosses, Trump-Russia ties, deception and the media

Wikileaks a ‘non-state hostile intelligence service,’ says Wikileaks-tweeting CIA boss

Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, made some interesting comments Thursday about Wikileaks, calling the anti-secrecy organization a "non-state hostile intelligence service" -- despite his own past public support for the group as a congressman during last year's presidential race. Pompeo, who said Thursday that "WikiLeaks walks like a hostile intelligence service, and … Continue reading Wikileaks a ‘non-state hostile intelligence service,’ says Wikileaks-tweeting CIA boss

Plausible deniability surrounding surveillance abuse wears thin

In the wake of Wikileaks' bombshell "Year Zero" disclosures on Tuesday, former Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden, a frequent defacto spokesman for the intelligence establishment, appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, of all places, to awkwardly attempt to explain the stunning revelations. Hayden cracked a joke or two … Continue reading Plausible deniability surrounding surveillance abuse wears thin

Wikileaks ‘Year Zero’ release reveals CIA hacking capabilities

Following the Edward Snowden leaks four years ago that revealed extensive and detailed information on the National Security Agency's mass surveillance programs, media reports surfaced indicating that Russia’s Federal Guard Service was reverting to using typewriters and paper documents in an attempt to avoid the pervasive monitoring of the digital age. But if Russia's response … Continue reading Wikileaks ‘Year Zero’ release reveals CIA hacking capabilities

Weaponizing the narrative in the information war with Russia

Well, it's 2017, and in less than three weeks, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. This surreal situation still has many scratching their heads, wondering how it came to be. While some are coming to terms with Trump's election as a symptom of a broken system that … Continue reading Weaponizing the narrative in the information war with Russia

The Democratic Party autopsy: A look at how and why Trump won

The dramatic finale to the 2016 US presidential election, ending with Donald Trump victorious, has left the mainstream media and pollsters, along with many Democrats and people around the world completely dumbfounded. Yet signs that a Trump win was a distinct possibility had been visible for some time. Some of the election polling, such as … Continue reading The Democratic Party autopsy: A look at how and why Trump won

US warning to Russia a real threat or PR posturing for US public?

The risk of foreign hackers shifting the outcome of the U.S. presidential election has likely been exaggerated. Nevertheless, officials and policy makers reportedly "do anticipate so-called cyber mischief, including the possible release of fake documents and the proliferation of bogus social media accounts designed to spread misinformation," according to NBC News. To fight back against … Continue reading US warning to Russia a real threat or PR posturing for US public?