Lisa Manfull and Michael Shermer discuss the feminine approach to espionage and finding Osama Bin Laden. They explore the skills needed to be a spy, the restrictions on women advancing in the CIA, and the contributions of women in the intelligence community during historical events such as World War II and 9/11.
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Quick takeaways
Women in the CIA faced biases and hurdles that limited their access to high-stakes field roles, but they challenged these biases and opened doors for other women.
Inclusivity and recognizing the potential of diverse talents are crucial to overcoming biases within intelligence agencies.
Emotional intelligence and empathy played a crucial role in espionage, particularly for female agents, and proved invaluable in successful intelligence operations.
Deep dives
Bias against women in the CIA
One of the biases against women in the CIA was the belief that they couldn't perform in high-stakes, field-based roles like being case officers and spies. The prevailing opinion was that women lacked the necessary assertiveness, ambition, and ability to close deals. This bias was deeply entrenched, and the most prestigious and exciting jobs within the agency were dominated by men. Additionally, there were biases against women's emotional intelligence and their ability to navigate male-dominated cultures like Greece. These biases were used as reasons to keep women out of certain roles and limit their career growth within the CIA.
Resistance to women in espionage
The biases against women in espionage were also reinforced by self-interest within the agency. Male officers often saw the most exciting and important jobs as their territory, and they didn't want to share it with women. This created a highly competitive environment where women had to fight to be taken seriously and prove their worth. There was a prevailing belief that women were better suited for clerical and administrative tasks, such as researching and providing information, rather than direct field work. These biases were used to justify limiting women's access to high-level positions and decision-making roles.
Overcoming biases and prevailing in espionage
Despite the biases and hurdles they faced, many women within the CIA were determined to prove themselves and excel in espionage. They had to be both agreeable and resilient, able to navigate complex political dynamics and withstand frustrations. Some women were able to turn biases in their favor by identifying overlooked opportunities and strategically building networks. They played to their strengths, such as resourcefulness, making connections, and analytical skills. Their successes challenged the prevailing biases and opened doors for other women within the agency.
Need for inclusion and talent diversity
The biases against women in the CIA highlight the importance of inclusivity and recognizing the potential of diverse talents. World War II demonstrated that women could contribute to vital national security efforts and bring unique perspectives and skills. However, in the post-war period, biases and self-interest led to a narrowing of opportunities for women within the CIA. Overcoming these biases requires a willingness to draw on the full reservoir of talent and not exclude any group based on stereotypes. Embracing diversity ultimately strengthens intelligence agencies and enhances their ability to address complex global challenges.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Espionage
Emotional intelligence and empathy played a crucial role in espionage, particularly for female agents like Lisa Manvel Harper. Lisa believed that her ability to understand and take care of assets in dangerous situations was enhanced by her emotional intelligence. She could assess an asset's well-being, trust her instincts, and provide necessary support. Additionally, Lisa felt that being a woman made her less threatening to male assets, who often shared information with her without suspecting her importance. This unique skill set of emotional intelligence and empathy proved invaluable in successful intelligence operations.
Challenges of Intelligence Analysis in a Changing Landscape
The shifting focus of intelligence agencies from the Cold War to counterterrorism posed significant challenges to intelligence analysis. As the Soviet Union collapsed, the CIA had to navigate an uncertain terrain of emerging threats and changing dynamics. Cognitive biases, wishful thinking, and pressure to gather intelligence were factors that influenced assessments. In the case of Iraq, the intelligence on weapons of mass destruction highlighted the complexities of distinguishing accurate information from false propaganda. Moreover, the coordination and information sharing between agencies, such as the CIA and the FBI, was a problematic aspect in intelligence gathering and analysis.
Shermer and Mundy discuss: • CIA research methods • a brief history of the CIA • the purpose of intelligence agencies • Misogyny and sexism in the early decades • the skills needed to be a spy • what women notice that men don’t in the spy business • Lisa Manfull Harper feminine approach to espionage, and finding Osama Bin Laden • how women worked around the restrictions on women advancing in the CIA • Lisa Manfull Harper and the CIA in the 1950s and finding Osama bin Laden in the 2000s • Heidi August and Gaddafi • Shirley Sulick and KGB • Molly Chambers and 9/11.
Liza Mundy is an award-winning journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of four books, including Code Girls. A former staff writer for the Washington Post, Mundy writes for The Atlantic, Politico, and Smithsonian, among other publications. Her new book is The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA.
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