SpyTalk

Tipping Off Our Enemies to Terrorist Attacks

Apr 19, 2024

Discussing recent terrorist attacks and US intelligence warnings to Russia and Iran, former CIA case officer Laura Thomas sheds light on the 'duty to warn' practice in American intelligence. Exploring the ethics, strategic benefits, and reciprocity in alerting adversaries about impending threats, the podcast delves into the complexities and implications of espionage operations.

38:20

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Quick takeaways

Issuing warnings to adversaries through 'duty to warn' practice prioritizes protecting innocent civilians and showcases US intelligence capabilities.

Challenges in duty to warn involve navigating ethical considerations, building trust with adversaries, and addressing potential limitations of the practice.

Deep dives

Duty to Warn in American Intelligence

The podcast delves into the concept of 'duty to warn,' a standard practice in American intelligence. This practice involves issuing warnings to entities, including adversaries, about potential significant threats to prevent loss of life. The episode highlights how this practice, although seemingly surprising to some, aims to prioritize protecting innocent civilians and can also project a sense of US intelligence prowess to adversaries.

Introduction

3min

Ethical and Strategic Considerations of Duty to Warn in Intelligence Operations

13min

Discussion on Lack of Necessity for Warning, Money App and Mattress Ad, and Intelligence Community Rule

2min

Reciprocity and the Duty to Warn in Intelligence Operations

7min

Iran's Historical Perspective on America

4min

Duty to Warn and Ethical Dilemmas

10min

Promotional Conclusion and Sponsor Ad

2min

Last month’s spectacular terrorist attack on a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, which left 144 people dead, was quickly followed by startling news that US intelligence had warned the Russians about the impending assault. When the Kremlin said the warnings hadn’t been specific, moreover, US officials pushed back, saying, in effect, “Oh yes they were,” and added details to its rejoinder. Likewise, it turned out that back in January, US intelligence had warned Iran about an impending Islamic State terrorist attack at a gathering to honor its fallen Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani, who had been killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad.

The revelations that our spy services had actually warned two of our greatest mortal enemies astounded many people and triggered a lot of acidic commentary, confusion and the inevitable conspiracy theories on social media.

Today’s guest, former CIA case officer and base chief Laura Thomas, who held a number of senior intelligence positions during her nearly 16 years of government service, says those actions followed a standard practice in American intelligence. It’s called “a duty to warn.” And she’s here to explain how that seemingly esoteric, even confounding, practice is not only a staple of the spy world—at least on the American side—but it has some espionage benefits as well.

Laura Thomas
https://twitter.com/laurae_thomas

https://www.lauraethomas.com/

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