Other News
Selected items or opinions of note that relate to announcements or other news from or about intelligence, the CIA, other IC elements, or CII.
President Visits CIA to Commemorate Its 75th Anniversary
President Joe Biden called CIA the “bedrock of our national security” in a visit to CIA Heardquarters in Langley on July 8 to commemorate the agency’s creation following World War II. He thanked CIA employees for their work on the Ukraine and praised American intelligence officers as the “best in the world.” Use this link to view the President’s Remarks on CIA 75.
Intelligence Community Named a “Best Place to Work”
For the 13th consecutive year, the Intelligence Community (IC) has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” in rankings prepared by the Partnership for Public Service. Read Best Places Press Release of July 13, 2022.
CIA Director William J. Burns’ Remarks at Aspen
On July 23, 2022, Director William Burns in an interview with Andrea Mitchell provided views on topics including the status of the Havana Syndrome investigation, the unprovoked war against Ukraine, on Russia, and a non-official assessment of the status of Putin’s health. View the Aspen Burns Interview on YouTube.
New CIA General Counsel
Kate Heinzelman, a former Justice Department lawyer and private attorney who clerked for a federal judge as well as a Supreme Court Justice was recentlhy confirmed by the Senate to be CIA’s General Counsel.
Statement of CIA Director William Burns on July 14, 2022: We’re delighted by Kate Heinzelman’s Senate confirmation to serve as General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and looking forward to welcoming her to the Agency family. Her experience and impressive legal talent will serve the Agency well.
Visit Here for the CIA Director’s statement upon Kate Heinzelman’s nomination to the position by President Biden.
Statement by CIA Director on the Passing of Gary Schroen
Today, CIA mourns the passing of Gary Schroen, a legend and inspiration to every Agency officer. In Afghanistan more than two decades ago and in every other role he served at CIA, Gary embodied the very best of our organization. We will never forget his unwavering dedication, loyalty, and perseverance to protect and defend our country.
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Gary delayed his retirement to lead an exceptional team of CIA officers–the first Americans into Afghanistan–on a mission against al-Qa’ida and its Taliban supporters. That mission, Operation JAWBREAKER, will forever stand as a tribute to Gary’s courage and leadership. We are fortunate to have the Mi-17 helicopter that Gary and his team used to carry out this daring mission dedicated on CIA’s grounds, where it will serve for generations to come as a reminder of Gary’s extraordinary place in CIA history.
Gary will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
CIA Director on Russian failures in Ukraine invasion (September 8, 2022)
CIA Director Burns on Ukraine (April 2022).
CIA Director Burns’ priorities announced a few months after assuming office included China, crypto, Havana Syndrome, and more (July 2021).
CIA Director Burns on Ukraine (April 2022).
The Significance of Al-Zawahiri’s Death
The then-CIA director Gina Haspel outlined CIA priorities in her first major speech (click for link to full text).
CIA’s then-chief information officer and now the deputy chief operating officer stresses the need for a data-savvy CIA workforce (December 4, 2018).
CIA Director Gina Haspel’s Auburn University speech (April 18, 2019)
Statement by Former CIA officials, tribute to George H.W. Bush
CIA Remembers George H.W. Bush
Statement by Director of the CIA Gina C. Haspel
“We’ve lost a great champion of the Agency—an accomplished Director, faithful advocate, and dear friend—with the passing of former President George H.W. Bush. As a heroic Navy pilot in the Second World War, a skilled statesman who deftly managed the collapse of the Soviet Union and liberated Kuwait from Saddam Husayn’s aggression, and a committed citizen who remained engaged in public service throughout his later years, President Bush exemplified the virtues of patriotism, duty, and compassion. Officers here at the George Bush Center for Intelligence and deployed around the globe honor the memory of a great American. On behalf of the men and women of CIA, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bush family.”
Remembering Mike Spann
(excerpts from https://www.wsj.com, 25 May 2019)
“. . . . .Johnny “Mike” Spann, a CIA officer who deployed to Afghanistan early in the war was killed on November 25, 2001 . . . . . when Taliban prisoners rioted. He was 32 years old.
“Spann was the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan. Before joining the CIA, Spann was a Marine, leaving with the rank of captain. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery alongside other American men and women who have served their nation in war. He is further honored with a black star on the CIA’s Memorial Wall at its Virginia headquarters, along with 132 other fallen agency colleagues.
“So this weekend, as we enjoy our barbecues and kick off the summer, let us not forget how extraordinarily blessed we are to have men and women such as Mike Spann, who willingly placed themselves in harm’s way to preserve our freedom—and paid the ultimate price.” Appeared in the May 25, 2019, print edition. ©2019 https://www.wsj.com. All Rights Reserved.
Former national security officials express concerns about the revocation of former CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance. [Read Here]
Former DDCI writes “Why so many former intelligence officers are speaking out.”
Security Standards, Suitability, Continuing Evaluation:
Executive Order 12968 (1995), Access to Classified Information, as amended in 2008
Executive Order 13764 (2017), Modernizing Structure and Processes for Security Clearances, Suitability, and Fitness (amending prior rules)
CII’s Co-Founder Bill Murray recently gave a podcast interview to share some of the experiences and challenges he faced during his 38-year career as an intelligence operations officer. Read Goodstory Transcript and Hear the Podcast excerpts.