The hottest Intelligence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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My Takes on the Election

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policy Political parties Intelligence
  1. People can argue about why the Democrats lost, but there are many reasons to consider. Each side will focus on factors that support their views and can raise their status.
  2. J.D. Vance could keep Trump voters happy, but many voters are unsure about Trump. If things go wrong, there might be a quick change in popularity for him.
  3. The government can't keep increasing debt forever. The challenge will be finding ways to cut spending that don't upset voters. Intelligence agencies also need to be managed well to make sure they work effectively.

The next year of AI target analysis

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 467 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Military Analysis Intelligence Data
  1. AI is being used to improve how military targets are tracked and analyzed. This means we could see continuous updates on things like tanks, instead of just occasional snapshots.
  2. Companies like Anthropic and Google are investing big in AI for defense purposes. They're aiming to compete with others, like OpenAI, for military contracts and capabilities.
  3. The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is working on integrating AI systems to enhance their intelligence efforts, but it's facing some challenges with existing technologies.

Tulsi Gabbard Holds the Knife

Thinking about... • 641 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Intelligence Disinformation Foreign Policy Political critique
  1. Tulsi Gabbard is seen as unqualified to lead U.S. intelligence due to her past support for controversial regimes and spreading false information.
  2. Her actions, including justifying violence against civilians and promoting propaganda, raise concerns about her intentions and reliability.
  3. If she were to lead national intelligence, it could put U.S. safety at risk and harm relationships with allies.

Choosing Wisely: NRO and SDA Acquisitions

Ill-Defined Space • 38 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Military Aerospace Intelligence
  1. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is ahead in deploying satellites compared to the Space Development Agency (SDA). This is important because faster satellite deployment can improve national security.
  2. The missions of the NRO and SDA are different. The NRO supports a wide range of intelligence needs, while the SDA is focused mainly on helping U.S. military forces detect missile threats.
  3. Both agencies are trying to fix slow satellite acquisition processes. The NRO's partnership with SpaceX is helping them deploy quickly, while the SDA is still working on building a robust supply chain for their satellites.
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Top Links 602 Vibe cession born out. America's Hindenburg moment. The CIA's shadow banking & why guns are different.

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Economy Defense Intelligence Crime
  1. The term 'vibe cession' suggests a cool down in economic enthusiasm. This means people may be feeling less optimistic about the economy.
  2. America's 'Hindenburg moment' refers to a serious crisis or failure. It's a warning sign that something big could go wrong.
  3. The CIA's involvement in shadow banking shows the different ways money can be used, especially when it comes to guns and security. This has implications for how we view finance and power.

Picking a Proven Winner: NRO and Starshield

Ill-Defined Space • 47 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Aerospace Defense Space Manufacturing Intelligence
  1. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is rapidly deploying satellites using SpaceX's Starshield, increasing its satellite fleet significantly in a short time. This means they are becoming more reliant on a single company for their satellite manufacturing needs.
  2. In contrast, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is struggling to build a solid supply chain and is concerned about its satellite manufacturers. They need to make and deploy a larger number of satellites than currently planned.
  3. The NRO's approach may help it quickly achieve its goals, but it raises questions about the risk of depending heavily on SpaceX for critical military capabilities.

Global Britain and King Charles’ Great Reset

Matt Ehret's Insights • 1493 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🌍 World Politics Monarchy Colonialism Globalism Intelligence Nazism
  1. Global Britain exerts vast control over African mining concessions with over $1 trillion worth of resources controlled by British companies.
  2. The City of London is the nerve center of world finance, running trillions in corrupt practices globally via offshore tax havens.
  3. British intelligence, as the creator of the Five Eyes apparatus, has been tied to supporting terrorist groups and cultivating radical ideologies internationally.

Unmasking Russia

Unmasking Russia • 707 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Russia Democracy Intelligence Human Rights Europe
  1. The newsletter 'Unmasking Russia' focuses on uncovering Russia's operations against democracies and human rights crimes.
  2. Expect weekly original content, curated news on Ukraine and Russia, and translations of investigations from 'Unmasking Russia'.
  3. For further support, readers can upgrade to a paid subscription to help the author continue their research and advocacy efforts.

A Spy Among Friends

Castalia • 339 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
💾 History Cold War Espionage Intelligence Biographies Conspiracies
  1. The series _A Spy Among Friends_ explores the relationship between Kim Philby and Nicholas Elliott, highlighting their deep friendship and how it complicated the betrayal Philby committed against British intelligence.
  2. There is a debate about why Philby became a spy for the Soviets. Some think it was ideological, while others believe it was more about seeking elite social status or personal connections.
  3. The idea of intelligence sharing among spies suggests that they may have operated more like a close partnership rather than strict adversaries, raising questions about loyalty and the nature of espionage.

The quiet integration of 'Project Maven' and the Pentagon's cloud with 'Minotaur' maritime border surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 590 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Military Intelligence Technology Border control
  1. Project Maven is being integrated with the Minotaur Mission System to help border surveillance. This setup is used by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.
  2. The Minotaur system combines different types of surveillance data, making it easier to detect illegal activities. It links sensors, cameras, and radar into one automated system.
  3. Amazon Web Services is involved in providing cloud support for Minotaur, highlighting the role of big tech in military surveillance programs.

Robot Philosophy

Egg Report • 569 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Reality Intelligence Time Logic
  1. In the realm of computation, complex statements can be broken down into simple ones, reflecting a mono-causal, universalist view of reality.
  2. Projects like AI and VR are attempts to recreate intelligence and reality, each carrying metaphysical claims about the simplicity and illusory nature of complexity.
  3. Engaging with computers and writing code trains individuals to think in a certain way, guiding them towards a robotic mindset and reinforcing metaphysical assumptions.

Planarian: The Immortal Flatworm

Solve Cancer in 365 days • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🔬 Science Biology Regeneration Intelligence Research
  1. Planarians are unique flatworms that can regenerate any part of their body, even after being cut into many pieces. This shows amazing capabilities, as they can grow back perfectly.
  2. These worms also challenge our ideas about intelligence. They can transfer learned information across their bodies, suggesting that intelligence might not just reside in the brain.
  3. Scientists are exploring how the electrical patterns in planarians can guide regeneration and influence cellular behavior. Understanding this could lead to advances in human healing and possibly control over our own biology.

Le Bureau des Légendes edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Television Fiction Drama Intelligence Human experience
  1. Le Bureau des Légendes is a French spy drama that focuses on the emotional side of intelligence work. It shows how the personal lives of agents are affected by their dangerous missions.
  2. The show differs from typical American spy thrillers by being slow-paced and realistic. It emphasizes psychological complexity and real-world geopolitical issues instead of explosions and action.
  3. Fiction can reflect reality in unique ways. Just like the writer Gérard de Villiers, who often wrote about future events based on insights from the intelligence community, 'Le Bureau' offers deep understanding of current world issues through its storytelling.

Israel's Intel Failure

Diane Francis • 719 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Security Conflict International relations Terrorism
  1. Israel's intelligence missed major warnings about an attack from Hamas, despite receiving detailed information about their plans. Many red flags and alerts were ignored by the leadership.
  2. In September 2023, Ukraine's intelligence warned Israel that a group was preparing Hamas for an attack, but this information did not reach the right people.
  3. Even soldiers on the ground noticed suspicious activity and reported it, but their concerns were dismissed by their commanders, which contributed to the surprise attack.

Transcript: America This Week, Episode 78: "The Surveillance State is a Moody, Sadistic Child"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1634 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Intelligence Anxiety CIA Russia
  1. The rise in Bitcoin price can serve as a proxy for general anxiety felt by the investing public, reflecting concerns about uncertain times.
  2. A notable news development was the New York Times article revealing the ways in which the CIA assists Ukraine in its conflict against Putin.
  3. The general anxiety levels are increasing across various facets, not just limited to one area.

Breaking History Ep 30: Don't be a fool for the FBI (The Truth of 180 years of Terrorism Foreign and Domestic)

Matt Ehret's Insights • 491 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💾 History Terrorism Intelligence Conspiracies Documentaries
  1. The post discusses uncomfortable truths about the FBI and the origins of terrorism over the past 180 years.
  2. It questions the involvement of the British Empire in the current Civil War plan in the USA.
  3. The post raises concerns about potential foreign manipulation in the current political situation in the USA.

What I Learned about how the U.S. Handled the Run-Up to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Drezner’s World • 845 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Intelligence Sanctions National Security Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. believed Putin invaded Ukraine due to perceptions of Russian weakness, not U.S. weakness.
  2. Intelligence was used effectively by the Biden administration to persuade allies and delay Russia's invasion.
  3. Biden officials concluded that pre-emptive sanctions wouldn't have deterred Russia and focused on seizing oligarchs' assets to highlight corruption.

THE FALL OF BASHAR ASSAD

Seymour Hersh • 60 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Conflict Diplomacy Terrorism Intelligence
  1. Bashar Assad's Syria had a complicated relationship with the US. Despite being labeled as a sponsor of terrorism, Syria was actually providing valuable intelligence against Al Qaeda.
  2. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a controversial decision that didn't directly target the real source of terrorism, as Saddam Hussein was not associated with Islamist groups. This raised questions about the rationale behind the war.
  3. A little-known incident occurred during the Iraq War when American forces attacked Syrians on the border. Despite the deaths, Syria chose not to retaliate publicly, highlighting a tense but intricate geopolitical situation.

Black Gold: The Smithsonian Connection

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 825 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Espionage Intelligence Finance Corruption Conspiracy
  1. Smithsonian Institution was involved in covert operations such as hidden military and intelligence programs, despite its public image as a museum.
  2. The Smithsonian faced Congressional investigation for financial misconduct, including converting public funds into private money and secretive financial accounts.
  3. The institution's past connections to intelligence networks and illicit activities suggest a deep entanglement in hidden finance and corrupted power structures.

Which intelligence?

Paola Writes • 471 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Science Fiction Intelligence Music
  1. Intelligence comes in various forms beyond traditional measures like logical-mathematical or linguistic-verbal.
  2. The definition of human intelligence can be complex, with factors like motivation and self-awareness playing a role.
  3. Efficiency in gaining skills may be a significant factor in measuring intelligence, but human intelligence is complex and cannot be solely defined by efficiency.

Top Links 536 The crisis in Cuba. Europe's dependence on the USA. The failure of intelligence in Ukraine & from Marx to Baumol to Butler.

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Crisis Management Diplomacy Intelligence
  1. Cuba is facing a significant crisis, which could impact its people and economy.
  2. Europe relies heavily on the USA, affecting its political and economic decisions.
  3. There have been failures in intelligence regarding the situation in Ukraine, showing gaps in understanding global issues.

Why the Turing Test is Not Enough

Insight Axis • 592 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Philosophy Science Intelligence Testing
  1. The Turing Test is a thought experiment, not a formal test, and was proposed by Alan Turing to test machine intelligence
  2. Passing the Turing Test does not necessarily indicate true intelligence in AI, as it requires reasoning capabilities and explanatory capacity
  3. Artificial General Intelligence testing should involve multi-dimensional assessments beyond the Turing Test, covering various aspects like linguistic, spatial, and mathematical intelligence

The genetics of intelligence: Exploring the link between DNA and IQ

Nucleus Genomics • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
🔬 Science Genetics Intelligence Research
  1. IQ is affected by both genetics and environment, with genetics accounting for about 50% of IQ scores. This means there are things we inherit from our parents that can influence how we score.
  2. Research has found specific DNA differences, called genetic variants, that seem to be linked to higher IQs. These variants don’t work alone but together can give insights into intelligence.
  3. The Nucleus IQ score uses genetic data to predict how your DNA might influence your IQ score, reflecting the latest research in this area. It's an evolving field, and there's still much to learn about genetics and intelligence.

The Curious Case of Austin Tice

The Dossier • 167 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Foreign Policy Military Intelligence Human Rights
  1. Austin Tice is a U.S. Marine and journalist who went missing in Syria over 12 years ago, and the last evidence of him being alive was a video from 2012.
  2. The Biden Administration believes he is alive, but there is little public evidence to support this claim, creating confusion about his situation.
  3. Despite efforts from various U.S. administrations, clear information about Tice's whereabouts or condition remains elusive, and many hope for answers as the conflict in Syria evolves.

Former Obama CIA Chief Backs Nikki Haley

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 773 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Intelligence Government National Security Campaign
  1. Former Obama CIA Chief Michael Morell publicly supports Nikki Haley's presidential campaign with both donations and endorsements.
  2. Morell organized efforts to shape the 2020 presidential election by discrediting a report on Hunter Biden, a move tied to intelligence officials interfacing with the Biden campaign.
  3. Several high-ranking former intelligence and national security officials, including Michael Morell and Douglas Feith, are backing Nikki Haley's campaign for president despite limited voter support.

Anomaly detection firm tied to numerous former CIA officials affiliated with Beacon Global accidentally published its confidential data brokerage and persona management agreements

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 854 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Security National Defense Surveillance Government Contracts
  1. Orbis Operations, led by former CIA officials, accidentally published confidential data agreements.
  2. Anomaly detection techniques used by intelligence agencies and corporations focus on detecting anomalies and insider threats.
  3. National security data brokers like Orbis fuse various data sources for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

CIA “Cooked The Intelligence” To Hide That Russia Favored Clinton, Not Trump In 2016, Sources Say

Public • 456 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Election Scandal
  1. CIA allegedly manipulated intelligence to hide that Russia favored Clinton over Trump in the 2016 election
  2. The Trump-Russia scandal was based on a report that inaccurately painted Trump as a puppet of Putin
  3. The Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) released in 2017 falsely claimed that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump