Inside Intelligence: Spying and Covert Action Made Simple

Hosted by Johns Hopkins University and Advanced Academic Programs.

Key Participants:

• Jack Devine: Founding partner and president of the Arkin Group; 32-year CIA veteran.
• Dr. Michael Ard: Moderator; Program Director and Senior Lecturer for the MS in Intelligence Analysis program.
• Peter Huggins: Event Producer.

Introduction to Jack Devine:

• Served as acting and associate director of CIA’s operations outside the U.S. (1993-1995).
• Chief of the Latin American Division (1992-1993).
• Managed CIA sensitive projects in Latin America and headed the Afghan task force.
• Author of "Good Hunting" and "Spymaster’s Prism".

Key Themes Discussed:

Importance of Spying

• Historical Context: Spying is an ancient practice; mentioned in the Bible and used by historic figures like George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt.
• Contemporary Relevance: Despite advancements in technology, human intelligence remains critical for understanding the intentions of foreign leaders and hostile governments.

Covert Action

• Definition: Activities directed by the president to influence foreign events secretly.
• Presidential Authorization: All CIA covert actions require presidential approval; no unauthorized actions since 1973.
• Public Perception: Often misconceived; Devine emphasizes transparency and oversight.

Case Studies

Chile (1970s)

• Background: CIA involved in efforts to prevent Salvador Allende’s socialist government; resulted in controversy and missteps.
• Outcome: Covert actions focused on supporting political opposition and media.

Iran-Contra Affair (1980s)

• Initial Involvement: Devine involved in assessing and managing logistics for arms trade aimed at freeing hostages.
• Fallout: Violated the Boland Amendment; significant political scandal.

Afghanistan (1980s)

• Success Story: Devine led the program that supplied Afghan Mujahideen with Stinger missiles, impacting Soviet military strategies.
• Outcome: Credited with aiding Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan; considered a successful covert operation.

Present-Day Covert Action and Intelligence

• Russia and Ukraine: Need for updated counterintelligence and covert action in response to Russian aggression.
• Counterintelligence: Importance of identifying moles and protecting against espionage from foreign entities.

Lessons Learned and Ethical Considerations

• Just War Principles: Covert actions should follow ethical guidelines similar to just war theory.
• Bipartisan Support: Essential for successful covert operations to ensure they are backed by the American public and government.
• Future Challenges: Managing disinformation and cyber threats in an increasingly digital world.

Conclusion

• Ethical Conduct and Oversight: Importance of maintaining ethical standards and oversight in intelligence operations.
• Continued Relevance: Covert actions remain a critical tool in international relations, when conducted with caution and under appropriate authority.