John Sipher, former chief of the CIA's Russian operations worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for 28 years. Five years ago, Cypher retired and came to Prague to attend the Stratcom Summit 2019 conference, organized by the European Values think tank.

Aktuálně.cz: You worked for the CIA for almost 30 years. Someone imagines working in the intelligence services, probably the same way as it is shown in the “Mission: Impossible” films with Tom Cruise.

John Cypher: I'll tell you something interesting. Last year I was with my former colleague from the CIA, who served, for example, in Berlin, Iraq and Afghanistan, founded the Spycraft Entertainment agency. One of the activities we want to do is consult with Hollywood directors, screenwriters and actors. In general, people like Tom Cruise.

We would like to help make films more realistic and authentic and more true to reality. In general, work in the special services, so to speak, is somewhat more boring than what we see in some films. It is perhaps more similar to your journalistic work.

— You are an expert on Russia, where you also lived. Today, many people talk about this country, as well as its intelligence agencies, with apprehension and fear. But I'll ask about something else. Do Russians make mistakes?

Context

The Guardian: how Assange was detained

The Guardian 04/11/2019

Le Monde diplomatique: Is Assange a mediator between Trump and Putin?

Le Monde diplomatique 12/28/2018

The CIA is waging war against those who tell the truth.

The Washington Post 04/26/2017

- Yes. And huge. For example, Vladimir Putin. Russian foreign policy it irritates almost every rich country in the world. The Kremlin has no influential friends, and its only allies are countries such as Venezuela and Syria. Putin and his people are trying to keep power in their hands for as long as possible, but they do not have any long-term and meaningful concept for the development of the country. Their intelligence services make mistakes due to excessive aggressiveness. They try to appear strong, omnipresent and omnipotent.

And then they make what amounts to a failed and amateurish attempt to poison former Russian military intelligence agent Sergei Skripal in the UK. This operation was, of course, a signal to its own citizens: what could happen to them if they work for foreign intelligence services.

— You are talking about the failed assassination attempt on Skripal. But today, apparently, it is difficult for any intelligence agency to carry out an operation in such a way that modern technologies she was not exposed. I mean, for example, the work that the analytical group Bellingcat is doing based on satellite data. It was she who exposed the agents in this case.

- Of course, it’s more difficult to work today. When I started, I had a set of fake passports and driver's licenses. I changed names without difficulty. Such opportunities still remain, and it is too early to write off the intelligence services, but today it is much more difficult to avoid exposure, including due to cameras, social networks and electronic data. You can get caught on camera somewhere, maybe even two years ago, and then someone will connect these images with other events. The work of agents in this sense has become much more difficult than before.

— Modern Russia often compared to the former Soviet Union. In the area of intelligence services, are there any differences between a communist state and its modern successor?

- Not very big. In normal countries, intelligence agencies work to help politicians make decisions. The Soviet Union was distinguished by the fact that its intelligence services were actively involved in creating problems for other states. They were shaken and weakened. During the time cold war There are a lot of such examples. Let's say information was spread that the US military created and spread the disease AIDS. This was Soviet disinformation. Today thanks social networks and on the Internet, information spreads even faster.

As you know, Vladimir Putin is a former KGB agent. He looks at foreign policy and politics in general exclusively from the positions of the intelligence services. In Russia, they essentially do everything that the ministries of foreign affairs, defense and some other institutions do in other countries. For example, the security services coordinated the doping of athletes, which means that in this country the security services are in charge and want to control literally everything.

Assange published classified information selectively

“We are talking to you just a few hours after British police in London arrested the founder of the WikiLeaks server, Julian Assange. He lived in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years. How do you assess the criticism against him that he published data selectively and in a way that did not harm Russia? Was he in some way a tool in Russian hands?

- I think so. This was said not only by the past administration of Barack Obama, but also by the current administration of Donald Trump. This was clearly stated by the US Secretary of State and formerly the head of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, who had access to intelligence information. And I say this as a person who is critical of the government of the current US President, who does not really like both Trump and Pompeo.

—Are you happy about his arrest?

— Several years ago, Julian Assange said that he would publish information that should have remained secret. But his publications concerned only democratic countries where there is freedom of speech. But the rest - no. I admit that I am glad that he was detained. Of course, if the court finds him innocent, this decision will need to be respected.

Russia cannot compete with the West or China

— Why is hostility towards the West so rooted in Russia? The conviction that the West is an enemy, a danger, and that it cannot be any other way?

— There are several reasons, historical and cultural. Russia believes that if it weakens Western countries, it itself will become stronger. Throughout its history, Russia has been invaded more than once, hence the constant feeling of uncertainty and threat. Russia cannot compete with the West in economics, and the Russian leadership knows this. In addition, Russia is no match for China, which also raises concerns in the Kremlin, although to some extent the United States is a common enemy for Russia and China.

— Is true cooperation possible between the intelligence services of Russia and the United States, say, in the fight against terrorism? After all, in this area the interests of the two countries coincide.

— There is a daily exchange of information regarding terrorism between the United States and Russia. That is, some cooperation has been established. Another thing is trust. It's hard to trust someone who sees you as an enemy.

— How, in your opinion, will intelligence services in the future cope with the problem of preventing terrorist acts organized, for example, by small jihadist groups that are not coordinated by anyone and are formed from several people in different European countries?

— Jihadist groups and organizations are closed, and it is very difficult to penetrate them. You can stop people who are planning a terrorist attack and preparing an escape route for themselves. At some stage, counterintelligence may pick up the trail of such a group. But the most serious problem is different: when a terrorist attack is planned by those who are ready to die, that is, suicide bombers, it is much more difficult to expose their activities and prevent the terrorist attack.

Terrorism is one of the biggest challenges of the future. The world will struggle with this problem for a long time. The jihadists who attack the West are, to a certain extent, a product of contradictions within Islam, the Islamic world, and the Muslim community. Between Shiites and Sunnis. Between people who accept modern world, and those who want to preserve Islam in the past and the Middle Ages. In this sense, I am pessimistic: this problem cannot be solved quickly.

InoSMI materials contain assessments exclusively from foreign media and do not reflect the position of the InoSMI editorial staff.

“High treason, that is, espionage, betrayal of state secrets, or other provision assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives in carrying out hostile activities to the detriment of external security Russian Federation committed by a citizen of the Russian Federation is punishable by imprisonment for a term of twelve to twenty years with a fine in the amount of up to five hundred thousand rubles or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of up to three years, or without it (as amended by Federal Law dated December 8, 2003 No. 162-FZ). Note. A person who has committed crimes provided for in this article, as well as articles 276 and 278 of this Code, is exempt from criminal liability if he, by voluntary and timely notification to the authorities or otherwise, contributed to the prevention of further damage to the interests of the Russian Federation and if his actions do not contain other elements crimes" (Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, Article 275).

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The openness of the vacancy is evidence that such recruiting is not new for US intelligence agencies

If there is such a profession - to defend the Motherland, then, according to logic, there is probably such a thing - to change the Motherland. It is a profession, not just a hobby. Salaried work, with wages, weekends, vacations, sick leave.

And it really does exist, and it’s not difficult to find. It is enough to go to the website of the American intelligence agency and, after some simple manipulations, go to a page with text in Russian inviting you to work. It is clear that not the Americans.

We read one of the paragraphs of the invitation article: “Work in the field of intelligence brings personal satisfaction. To carry out intelligence activities effectively, it takes the most talented men and women, which is what our employees are. Intelligence professionals must be highly skilled in their specific field. In order to protect valuable government information, people who can be trusted and confident in their unconditional devotion to the Fatherland and their profession are selected as employees. Following high moral standards is an integral part of their activities. To be selected for a position of such responsibility and trust, the applicant must obtain a security clearance."

The words are all true and clear, but one thing confuses me. This is an appeal from the CIA office to applicants from Russia. That is, it is precisely Russian boys and girls who must be devoted to the Fatherland - no longer Russian, of course. Moreover, this, as you might guess, is a categorical requirement.

Indeed, below, in the paragraph “Verification activities related to clearance for secret work,” we read the obvious: “During the investigation, emphasis is placed on the presence of loyalty to the United States ... attention is drawn to the lack of loyalty to another state.” This point is, of course, interesting, if we do not forget that we are talking about an applicant from Russia. Let’s say that the need for invention once again turns out to be cunning and performs a one-man show on the theme “For the stars and stripes of freedom of the world, I am personally ready to strangle dictators with these hands,” but it should be much more difficult to prove the lack of loyalty to the country in which you were born and where, perhaps , there were parents, brothers and sisters and just friends. Here, probably, it is not enough to be just a scumbag: you need to be some kind of moral corpse so that even seasoned CIA officers are amazed: “Yes, this guy (this girl) and Russia are parallel.”

Of course, expect recruiting statistics from the CIA foreign citizens, including from Russia, is not necessary. One can only turn on analytical thinking and imagine that the work is being carried out not only across the ocean, but also within the borders of the United States, where young specialists from leading technical universities come “for a long dollar” at the invitation of the headquarters of leading IT companies. And some of them view cooperation with the CIA as an additional and very significant chance to gain a foothold in the country, receive some additional guarantees and, of course, even more money. And on this point, the CIA gives hundreds of points ahead to our intelligence services, which, alas, cannot afford the same luxury in relation to American citizens. It’s not really about recruiting repatriates, and not about retired tourists... Well, Native Americans from the University of Washington and Yale don’t come to work with us - unless they’re weirdos from whom you can’t ask much, or... the same CIA agents . Although it would be interesting to follow the reaction of both American citizens and the authorities to the publication somewhere in the Washington Post of an advertisement with vacancies in our GRU...

Skeptics, of course, can talk about the extremely low probability of employment in the CIA from Russia. They say that our intelligence services are not asleep, and American intelligence is not McDonald's. Right! He is far from being the best, and even the TsE agents honestly write in the memo: “The recruitment process for the Central Intelligence Agency is very lengthy. Depending on your specific circumstances, the processing time for a job application could be as short as two months or as long as over a year.”

But those who want to cooperate with the American intelligence service have no reason to be upset, even if a refusal comes from overseas. “They may write: “alas, on permanent job- no way, but you can provide us with services” - from translations to outright intelligence work. This is also a channel for establishing contact with those who want to sell important, maybe even secret, data in the “engineering and technological” area,” the Information National Security Agency portal quotes a FSB representative as saying. The source also noted that work in this area is being carried out by this special service, and reminded, just in case, that attempts to be recruited into the CIA “are classified legally in a completely understandable, well-known manner.”

We even know which one. Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, up to 20 years in prison.

Member of the Public Council, Chairman of the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation, Colonel Anatoly Tsyganok, in a conversation with a website observer, noted that CIA vacancies addressed to Russians are, first of all, another reason for the authorities to become concerned with the problem of “brain drain” abroad:

As far as I know, in principle, about 30-40% of our fellow citizens either seek to go abroad for permanent residence, or have already left. As sad as it may be, Russia ranks first in terms of the number of emigrants, and this is a very serious problem that cannot be underestimated. This is a fact, despite the fact that today young people seem to have many ways of self-realization in their homeland. Moreover, in surveys they do not even refer to the difference in wages here and there, there are much more motives...

But the case with the CIA vacancy is not at all the first: ten years ago, for example, a Pentagon representative quite frankly said that his agency was interested in specialists from Russia who were capable of solving certain technical problems. They were apparently trying to find out who would take this bait. And even though it’s quite difficult for me to imagine this myself, I still cannot rule out the possibility that a certain number of our former compatriots got a job at the Pentagon.

- But such openness is still amazing. It seemed that such recruiting, in theory, should not be carried out so publicly. In general, this all seems like a challenge.

The fact is that in the West they generally look at this issue more simply. That is, they are really ready to invite foreign citizens to their intelligence services, completely openly publishing relevant vacancy announcements on their websites. Another thing is that, of course, one response to such a vacancy will not be enough for the applicant: he, as they say, will be checked and tested in all respects. They also take risks to a certain extent. So I would not call this situation out of the ordinary, but, of course, we cannot turn a blind eye to the problem of the outflow of young talented specialists abroad.

Do you want to be a spy? Shh! Don't answer this. An agency generally considered synonymous with espionage on behalf of the United States government, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has two very specific rules for applicants. Rule #1: Don't tell anyone you're applying to for a job. Rule #2: Don't tell anyone you're even thinking about applying!

In other words, if you want to know how to work for the CIA, don't ask anyone.

Doing this will set aside your aspirations and therefore break both of these rules. However, you can read this article which tells you everything.

CIA Careers

If you think you want to attract the attention of a spy, you'll want to work for a specific branch of the CIA - the Directorate of Operations (DO), formerly called the National Clandestine Service (NCS). DO is integral part The CIA, which is responsible for the secret collection of human intelligence (aka spy). These are the positions entry level, which are available to job candidates after they have completed an extensive training program.

Key Collectors and Operations Staff usually work abroad, recruiting and processing foreign sources of human intelligence.
Major collectors and collections managers also spend most of their careers working abroad. They manage the collection of human intelligence, evaluate and distribute it among representatives foreign policy US and intelligence community analysts.

Human Resources Officers serve as liaisons between state DO staff and external officers in the field. They spend most of their time in Washington, but may have occasional overseas assignments. They are experts both in a specific region and in transnational areas, for example, terrorism or crime.
Special Skills Specialists work either at Washington headquarters or abroad. They use their experience in the military or its language, technology, or media to conduct or support CIA operations. Job titles that fall under this category include Targeting Officer, Language Officer, Paramilitary Officer, Programs and Plans Officer, and Information Resources Officer.

Entry-level CIA careers and qualifications

Candidates for entry-level positions may join the Directorate of Operations as interns in the Professional Intern Program, Underground Intern Program, or Trainee-Based Intern Program. The program they participate in is determined by the job they are applied to and their level of experience.

Those who want to become major collectors enter either the Professional Trainee Program or the Underground Service Program, depending on their previous experience. Individuals with several years of work or military experience will enter the Underground Service program directly. Those who only have higher education, must enter the Professional Trainee program before eventually moving into the Underground Service program. Applicants who wish to become Headquarters employees, such as Human Resources Officers and Specialized Skills Specialists, participate in the Headquarters Internship Program.

At the end of the candidate's training period, the DO will place him or her on a career track that officials agencies deemed a good fit for his or her demonstrated skills and agency needs.

All job applicants must have a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 average. For those training to become major collectors, knowledge of foreign language. Candidates for headquarters positions must have a demonstrated interest in international affairs. Although candidates are from different disciplines, those with experience in international business, finance, international relations, economics, physical science, or nuclear, biological, or chemical engineering are considered most desirable. U.S. Citizenship is a requirement for all positions and all applicants must have security clearance.

Espionage is a career rife with stress. If you want to work for the CIA, you have to be able to handle it. Other necessary qualities include good judgment, the ability to multi-task and manage time well, as well as excellent writing, listening and verbal communication skills. Strong problem solving and critical thinking abilities are also required. Important has also a readiness for continuous learning. Since assignments often require one to be part of a team, the ability to work with others is a must.

Application process

If you are interested in working for the Directorate of Operations, you can apply for jobs online at the CIA website. There you will also find detailed information about the application process. Before you can apply, you must create an account. Do not do this unless you are sure you have enough time to complete the application. You will need to do this within three days of creating your account. When this time is over, your account will be disabled. It will also be disabled after your application terminates. When you complete your application, you will receive an on-screen confirmation. The CIA will not send email. You can apply for four positions in one application, but the agency requests that applicants do not submit multiple applications.

If your application is accepted, pre-employment may take up to one year. During this time, you will have personal interviews and be subject to medical and psychological testing, drug testing, a polygraph, and an extensive background check. Through this verification, the DO ensures that you have no foreign allegiances, are trustworthy, cannot be coerced, and are willing to protect sensitive information.

Pros and cons of working for the CIA Directorate of Operations

If you want intrigue, DO has it. Even the pages containing information about career opportunities read like a spy novel. The word "spy" is never used and applicants are warned never to reveal their intentions. However, life undercover is not for everyone. A person must hide his identity from others. And because the work is hidden, there is little recognition for a job well done. However, the agency rewards and recognizes its employees internally.

NGO employees serving abroad receive competitive pay. Their benefits include housing for themselves and their families. Their children receive educational benefits. They also have the opportunity to travel around the world.

Secret instructions of the CIA and KGB for collecting facts, conspiracy and disinformation Popenko Viktor Nikolaevich

Who is a CIA agent?

Most ordinary people do not see much difference in the phrases “CIA employee” and “CIA agent.” But in the CIA itself, the word “agent” does not mean any employee of the department (who is usually called an employee), but one who secretly (according to “legend”) works in another country, i.e., an illegal intelligence officer. However, some of the intelligence officers themselves do not quite like the term “agent,” which is why career CIA officers working in foreign stations prefer to call themselves “operational officers.” And the operatives themselves usually call agents the local contingent recruited in the host country and subordinate to them, that is, foreigners who are executors of CIA operations and act at the end of a long chain. This book presents the training of a CIA agent specifically as an operational officer, and the term “agent” will further be applied to both career CIA employees and all recruits, that is, to those who knowingly cooperate with the CIA. By the way, CIA employees themselves usually do not call their organization “CIA” or “direction”; among themselves they call it “company”.

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If you are smart, have a college degree, are ready to serve your country, and are ambitious, then you can choose a career with the CIA. Provided that you are a US citizen and meet all the requirements, you are eligible to apply to work for the CIA. Keep in mind that competition is high (as for all government jobs) and that there are many reasons to turn you down. But despite this reality, if you dream of such a job, it’s worth trying.

Steps

Meet the CIA

Have a healthy psyche. You will be tested in some way on how you handle emotional stress. Also, if you end up in the Secret Service, you must be able to withstand the mental pressure of dangerous situations with a threat to life. For example, if you are caught, you may be tortured and even forced to renounce your state. Additionally, if your "agent" is caught by his own government, you will be faced with emotional issues related to how this person (and possibly his family members) will be treated (sometimes it could even be the death penalty). There can be many such situations, and your psyche must be able to cope with them.

Be honest and forthright. Be prepared to be checked as much as necessary. During the interview or periodically during work, you will be tested on a polygraph. Although the polygraph is not an absolutely accurate instrument, the CIA equipment is one of the best and is operated by highly qualified specialists. Security professionals tend to err on either side with caution if there is reason to believe you are lying. It is during this check that it will be possible to find out if you lied about the use of illegal drugs, facts of betrayal, failures with finances, and so on. All inspection results are protected and kept in strict confidentiality. And don't expect this process to be comfortable for you; it's an unpleasant feeling when someone tries to "incriminate you", not to mention the fact that you will be hooked up to a machine that could affect your future career.

Be prepared for further scrutiny throughout your CIA career. You will be required to undergo regular re-tests (to detect changes in your lifestyle, connections, etc.) and polygraph tests.

Be prepared to maintain high standards of professional conduct both on and off the job throughout your CIA career.

Be prepared for relocation or business trips. CIA work will require frequent movement. In addition, many CIA positions require frequent travel, which can distract from family life, if you haven't thought about how you'll handle it (the CIA offers child care centers in some places). Don't underestimate the impact of work on you personal life. If you want to get home every day at 5 o'clock and be regularly available to your family, then working as a CIA agent will not give you that opportunity. If this situation is unacceptable to you, then consider a different career. However, some CIA positions will offer stability.

Must be a US citizen. Only US citizens can apply to work for the CIA. If you don't have citizenship, get one.

application process

Write a statement. If you are confident that you meet the above requirements, then it is time to apply. You can do this online, but be prepared for a lengthy process and a lot of information to fill out about yourself. The application process begins at: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/cia-jobs/index.html. Look at the vacancy you are interested in, read the requirements and make sure you meet them. If you don't meet the minimum requirements, then it's not worth wasting your time.
- Make sure that the application deadline has not yet expired and strictly follow the specified rules. If you miss anything, your application will be rejected.
- Get your resume in order, as it must be attached along with the online application.
- Job listings are updated regularly. This means that if you don't find anything interesting, look back later.
Be patient to wait. The verification process can take a long time, especially if you have many foreign contacts that need to be verified. If you have been completely honest and upfront, this will speed up the review process.
- Do not write or call to find out the results. You won't get an answer.
- Typically, if the CIA is interested in your profile, they will contact you within 45 days.
- Don't despair. Keep trying, maybe you are not quite suitable for the position you chose, or there were too many other highly qualified people and one small flaw in your application led to its rejection. Just keep trying and your persistence may pay off. In some cases, you will be hired once you gain more experience, so get a PhD, get a military position, or do something else to increase your chances.
Get ready for the next stage if your application is successfully reviewed. All initial job offers are conditional and you still have a long way to go before you get hired. You are now required to undergo a series of physical, psychological, security, and intelligence tests to determine your suitability to work for the CIA.
- Get a medical and psychological examination. Medical examination is intended to assess your physical fitness for the job and also to screen for drug use. Psychological tests evaluate your intelligence, sanity and mental stability.
- Please wait until your verification is completed. The review is extremely thorough and often takes a long time (can take two years). The CIA website states: "The review of the information examines your loyalty to the United States, strength of character, reliability, honesty, creditworthiness, prudence and judgment. In addition, it considers non-involvement with other nations, the possibility of coercion, and the willingness and ability to comply with regulations governing use." processing and protection of confidential information."
- Take a polygraph test.
Accept or decline the job offer. If you've made it through the selection process, you're in luck: only about 17% of candidates pass the tests. Now you can apply for a job and prepare for training, after which you may get the ideal job for you!
- Participation in professional training. Some jobs, especially in the Secret Service, will require you to undergo training during which you will be required to successfully complete training for a specific job. You may have to move for the duration of your training (about six months), and the CIA generally does not pay to house your family during this time.
- You will not become an official employee until you have undergone extensive training, which, depending on the position, can be very difficult.

Foreign languages also in demand nowadays are: Greek, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean. Serbian, Croatian, and Turkish.
The CIA has a number of programs for students, including internships for undergraduate and graduate students. The selection criteria are quite strict and completion of the training program does not guarantee a job, but if you perform well during the internship you will have a good chance of receiving a job offer.
You may be offered a position different from the one you originally applied for. Wages depends on your qualifications. It regularly increases over time. Starting salary is around 40K. In addition, excellent benefits are provided. For example: paid leave, state health and life insurance, pensions, training and internships, medical services, child care centers, credit organizations.
Consider joining the military first. Although the CIA does not give preference to veterans in hiring, candidates with experience military service, especially in military intelligence, will have an advantage. You also need to have a higher education.
The CIA generally does not hire anyone over 35 for government intelligence work.
The CIA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
You will be required to maintain confidentiality. People skills are a plus for operations officers (intelligence agents), but if you have problems retaining information, then this is not the job for you.
The CIA often recruits from the senior years of colleges and universities in an attempt to lure qualified candidates before they find jobs in the private sector. Be sure to attend job fairs.
It's useful to be a scientist. Spy organizations sometimes require scientists with special skills.

Warnings

Working for the CIA can make you a colder, more calculating person.
Be prepared for emotional stress. The professional training, as mentioned, is very intense (and at times overwhelming). After completing training, especially for the secret service, you will be tested on your capabilities to find out the "breaking point" before going to work where other people's lives are at risk. And the sooner it comes, the less chance you have of success.
Don't lie when filling out your application or during the hiring process. The screening is extremely strict and if a lie is found, in most cases, unless it is a misunderstanding, your application will be rejected. Remember that different intelligence departments communicate with each other. Deviation from work or dismissal from one place will complicate the transfer to another place. Additionally, you may be reassigned to a less secretive unit, so always try to put your best foot forward.
Keep in mind that CIA salaries tend to be lower (sometimes much lower) than those offered in the private sector for positions requiring similar education and experience. On the other hand, your job security will be greater if you maintain high standards of personal conduct.