LATEST Author Interview COLUMNS

UnderCover with Spymasters Author Chris Whipple

by Chris Whipple

“The Cipher Brief has become the most popular outlet for former intelligence officers; no media outlet is even a close second to The Cipher Brief in terms of the number of articles published by...

How a CIA Analyst Spots Fake News

by Cindy Otis

This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free.  We invite you to support quality content by becoming a  Cipher Brief Level I Member .  Joining this experienced...

A Guide for the Transition Mission

by Alison P. Bouwmeester

Alison Bouwmeester spent 28 years working as a CIA case officer.  When she retired and went to work in the private sector, she found that many of her former colleagues reached out to her for...

An Inside Account of the US Evacuation from Libya

by Sarah Carlson

This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free.  We invite you to support quality content by becoming a  Cipher Brief Level I Member .  Joining this experienced...

Not Your Typical CIA Officer, Or?

by Tracy Walder

The Unexpected Spy: From the CIA to the FBI, My Secret Life Taking Down Some of the World’s Most Notorious Terrorists By Tracy Walder | @tracy_walder Tracy Walder is a former Staff Operations...

The Ex-Spy's Reading List in the Age of COVID-19

by Marc Polymeropoulos

This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free.  We invite you to support quality content by becoming a  Cipher Brief Level I Member .  Joining this experienced...

Author Gordon Corera talks about the Russians Among Us

by Gordon Corera

This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free.  We invite you to support quality content by becoming a  Cipher Brief Level I Member .  Joining this experienced...

Behind the Budapest Escape

by Bill Rapp

Undercover readers might remember that we introduced you this past spring to Bill Rapp, a former CIA analyst turned author.  He’s an interesting character in his own right, with the look and charm...

What Really Happened at CIA Black Sites

by Phil Mudd

Phil Mudd wrote the book on CIA Black Sites.  Relying on his access and ability to convince former CIA Officers to talk about their experiences working at black sites, Mudd delivers an insider look...

Author Alex Finley Dishes on Life as a Spy

by Alex Finley

Alex Finley worked for CIA’s Directorate of Operations for about six years in the early 2000s.  Her roles took her to places like West Africa and Europe and also allowed for some time at...