The hottest Intelligence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Seymour Hersh 80 implied HN points 27 Jul 23
  1. The Ukrainian attacks on the Russian Kerch Bridge were significant events in the ongoing conflict.
  2. The Biden administration played a vital role in supporting Ukraine in these attacks.
  3. Concerns exist in the American intelligence community about potential Russian retaliation to the Ukrainian drone attacks.
Seymour Hersh 48 implied HN points 27 Feb 24
  1. James C. Pfautz had a successful military career, flying combat missions in Vietnam and holding high-ranking positions in Air Force intelligence.
  2. Pfautz was known to push his staff hard, aiming for excellence in the intelligence work they produced.
  3. An intriguing story revolves around the 1983 shootdown of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 by a Soviet pilot, highlighting the critical question of whether the pilot knew he was targeting a commercial airliner.
Diane Francis 119 implied HN points 13 Jan 21
  1. There's a serious threat of domestic terrorism in America, and the size and nature of this threat are not well understood. This creates risks for public events, like the Inauguration.
  2. Many political and security experts suggest that America needs better laws to track and manage domestic terrorism, similar to what other countries have in place.
  3. The infiltration of extremist groups into law enforcement poses additional challenges. This complicates the ability to effectively monitor and respond to these threats.
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Seymour Hersh 76 implied HN points 01 Jun 23
  1. John Durham's report suggests that Russiagate was initiated by the Clinton campaign and aided by political reporters and senior FBI officials.
  2. Durham's inquiry reveals that the Clinton campaign might have funded the Steele Reports and Alfa Bank allegations to smear a political opponent.
  3. The focus of Durham's report was on who knew about the alleged Clinton Plan intelligence, indicating a potential political smear campaign.
Perceptions 53 implied HN points 11 Nov 23
  1. There is a shift happening in digital knowledge work due to advancements in AI
  2. AI is impacting freelance marketplaces and job opportunities for highly skilled workers
  3. Individuals may need to start businesses or offer consultations as AI continues to develop
All-Source Intelligence Fusion 61 implied HN points 27 Aug 23
  1. A poll on Niger's coup support was conducted by a company that serves as a surveillance platform for U.S. Special Operations Forces.
  2. Premise Data, the pollster, has connections to U.S. military training and operations in various countries.
  3. Other U.S. intelligence contractors, like Two Six Technologies, also use polling as a cover for covert operations.
Proof 65 implied HN points 06 Jun 23
  1. A federal whistleblower with credible credentials claims the US military has recovered spacecraft of non-human origin.
  2. The evidence provided could establish the existence of highly advanced intelligent life beyond Earth.
  3. The story has sparked official hearings, expert endorsements, and a wave of public interest in UFO and alien technology claims.
Trying to Understand the World 5 implied HN points 16 Jul 25
  1. Understanding intelligence can be tricky. Many people want quick answers, but the reality is often complicated and requires deeper research.
  2. Media often oversimplifies intelligence, turning it into dramatic narratives. This can make people believe in stereotypes instead of the real workings of intelligence agencies.
  3. Intelligence collection is not just about spying; it involves understanding various interests between countries. Even allies spy on each other to protect their own interests.
Seymour Hersh 63 implied HN points 10 May 23
  1. The article discusses the refusal of the Biden administration to declassify 48-year-old Senate testimony by James Angleton, the notorious onetime head of CIA counterintelligence.
  2. Pervez Musharraf criticized US efforts to monitor Pakistan's nuclear arsenal due to the US policy of denying Israel's membership in the global nuclear club.
  3. The text mentions Seymour Hersh's encounter with James Angleton, who was in charge of the CIA's illegal domestic spying program and part of Washington's Old Boys network.
Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology 31 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. There is a negative correlation between IQ and fertility across the world, suggesting a decline in intelligence over time.
  2. More developed countries show a weaker decline in intelligence compared to less developed nations.
  3. Embryo selection for intelligence could potentially offset the decline in intelligence, especially in wealthier countries.
steigan.no 4 implied HN points 29 Jun 25
  1. There has been a significant case of corruption involving USAID and several executives, where they pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme worth over $550 million. This raises concerns about misuse of taxpayer money.
  2. The situation in Syria has become complex with various groups fighting for control, leading to fragmentation instead of stability. The country is now divided among different factions, influenced by external powers.
  3. NATO's increased military spending aims to strengthen Europe's defense but has made the continent more dependent on American weaponry, leading to concerns about the long-term consequences of this reliance.
Rounding the Earth Newsletter 11 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. Facebook is quick to censor discussions about election engineering. Posts about how the 2024 election might be influenced can disappear rapidly.
  2. There are suspicions that Facebook could be part of a larger scheme involving intelligence agencies. Its history appears to align with data mining operations rather than just a casual college project.
  3. People might be unaware of psychological tactics being used against them. This raises concerns about manipulation during significant events like elections.
Dr.John B’s Newsletter 1 HN point 15 May 24
  1. The mirror test assesses whether animals can recognize themselves in a reflection. Not all intelligent animals pass this test, indicating it may not be a definitive measure of intelligence.
  2. Only a few species, such as certain primates, dolphins, elephants, and even a horse, have successfully recognized themselves in a mirror.
  3. Critics argue that the mirror test may not be entirely accurate in gauging animal intelligence as it overlooks other senses like smell, and not all animals react to reflections the same way humans do.
Silent Lunch, The David Zweig Newsletter 27 implied HN points 14 Aug 23
  1. US government is accused of withholding critical information about the lab leak of Covid-19.
  2. The DNI report on Covid-19 origin was criticized for being deficient and potentially deliberate in not revealing important information.
  3. There are suspicions of a deliberate lack of effort to uncover the truth about the pandemic's origin, with concerns about potential cover-ups and implications on global health and geopolitics.
Rounding the Earth Newsletter 9 implied HN points 25 Oct 24
  1. The DMED project involves military health data, and there are claims of serious data issues that were ignored. This lack of action raises suspicions about its integrity.
  2. There seems to be a connection between figures in the movement against COVID vaccines and intelligence agencies, which adds layers of complexity to the conversation about vaccine safety.
  3. Some of the leading individuals in the Medical Freedom Movement have backgrounds that hint at broader agendas, creating doubt about their true intentions.
Robot Bible 1 HN point 05 May 24
  1. Human language has evolved in a full circle, starting from symbols to pictures and now back to pictures used in programming, indicating the importance of symbols in communication.
  2. The debate between Chomsky and Everett on language acquisition challenges the idea of a universal grammar and suggests that language is deeply influenced by culture.
  3. Developing true emergent intelligence in programs requires more than just increased computational power; it involves exploring mechanisms to control autonomous systems predictably.
Natto Thoughts 1 HN point 24 Apr 24
  1. The acronym "TZ" found in leaked i-SOON documents could stand for phrases like special investigation or special reconnaissance, and it is crucial for Chinese public security bureaus, hinting at its importance in network security efforts.
  2. In the context of Chinese acronyms, TZ might represent Chinese phrases with Pinyin initials T and Z, such as investment, special investigation, special military, or other relevant terms.
  3. Companies like i-SOON have seen business opportunities in offering products and training related to network investigation and reconnaissance, indicating a high demand for capabilities in this area among Chinese public security bureaus.
Dominic Cummings substack 12 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  1. RV Jones's memoir 'The Wizard War' from World War II offers lessons on technology, intelligence, and organization that are relevant today.
  2. The story highlights the importance of duty and public service in leadership roles, emphasizing the need for purpose and service over self-seeking easement.
  3. The blog post discusses significant issues like rot in nuclear weapon infrastructure, failures in Westminster over Ukraine, and the importance of security in technology, urging for better collaboration and regulation.
The Cosmopolitan Globalist 4 implied HN points 02 Jan 25
  1. Predicting the future is hard because people often think they're better at it than they really are. Many make mistakes like being too confident or not paying attention to the facts.
  2. Some people, called superforecasters, are really good at making accurate predictions. They focus on facts, break problems into smaller parts, and keep track of their past predictions to learn from them.
  3. To improve predictions, it's important to express guesses as probabilities, look for different opinions, and stay open to changing your mind when new information comes in.
Am I Stronger Yet? 15 implied HN points 12 Sep 23
  1. Intermediate superintelligence is not expected to happen overnight, but gradually surpass human capabilities on various tasks.
  2. Intelligence significantly impacts productivity in tasks; talented individuals can find more efficient solutions and execute them quickly.
  3. AI advancements go beyond intelligence, offering unique advantages like relentless focus, lack of fatigue, and enhanced communication abilities.
Sex and the State 18 implied HN points 18 Apr 23
  1. Former CIA director Allen Dulles was involved in controversial actions and may have played a role in JFK's assassination.
  2. The defense establishment in the US has historically been focused on communism and tolerant of fascism.
  3. The power players in the US defense and intelligence sectors often come from similar elite backgrounds and may prioritize corporate interests over democracy.
OSINT & Analysis by Oliver Alexander 15 HN points 27 Apr 23
  1. Russian minisub SS-750 was confirmed near Nord Stream sabotage sites, implicating Russia's involvement.
  2. Danish Defence Command took photos of the Russian SS-750 at the sabotage site but couldn't release them due to intelligence value.
  3. Russian submarines were in the Baltic Sea around the time of the explosions, raising the possibility of a Russian submarine being present near the sabotage site.
Michael Shellenberger 7 HN points 13 Feb 24
  1. The United States Intelligence Community, including the CIA, used foreign spy agencies to target Trump advisors before the alleged collusion with Russia.
  2. The FBI should not have begun its investigation into Trump and Russia collusion in 2016, according to a special prosecutor for the Department of Justice.
  3. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance was used to surveil Trump's associates, with 26 of them specifically targeted for contact and manipulation.
Espionage& 2 implied HN points 09 Jan 25
  1. Russia allegedly spent $30 million to influence the Taliban against American soldiers, reportedly as revenge for past CIA actions in Afghanistan. This shows how geopolitics can be shaped with money.
  2. The article raises concerns about the role of British Intelligence and suggests they might be trying to influence U.S. politics, particularly regarding Trump’s support for Ukraine.
  3. There's a mention of the previous 'Russiagate' scandal which impacted Trump’s presidency, hinting that similar tactics may be used again in the future. This points to ongoing political manipulation.
Apperceptive (moved to buttondown) 8 implied HN points 05 May 23
  1. Artificial intelligence term originates from a time of great optimism and confidence in modeling human intelligence.
  2. Early AI researchers focused on abilities like linguistic fluency and chess skills, which are not central to human intelligence.
  3. Historically, the measures of intelligence used in AI development have roots in racism and socioeconomic factors.
Public 4 HN points 15 Feb 24
  1. Former CIA Director Gina Haspel blocked the release of a binder containing evidence of potential involvement in Trump-Russia collusion
  2. Corruption, rather than tradecraft, is the main concern officials have about keeping certain documents classified
  3. There have been repeated efforts by senior intelligence officials, including Haspel, to prevent the declassification of information related to the Trump-Russia investigation
All-Source Intelligence Fusion 4 HN points 28 Sep 23
  1. The head of CIA OSINT highlights the importance of surveillance on Twitter and Telegram for gathering open source intelligence.
  2. CIA's focus on AI technology has improved data analysis efficiency for vast amounts of surveillance data.
  3. The CIA incorporates controversial surveillance technologies like facial recognition and cellphone tracking data into their open source intelligence methodology.