The Role of Intelligence and Deception in Ancient Greece
Menelaus and Meriones lifting Patroclus’ corpse on a cart while Odysseus looks on, Etruscan alabaster urn from Volterra, Italy, 2nd century BC Between 1500 B.C. and 1200 B.C., Greece was…
The Hidden Path: Spiritual Practices of the Ninja
Ninja historic illustration, Meiwa era, c. 1770. The ninja or shinobi, often depicted as shadowy figures of stealth and combat, were also deeply spiritual warriors. Their spiritual practices were integral to…
The Stoic Underpinnings of Ian Fleming’s James Bond
Bronze bust of the author Ian Fleming by the British sculptor Anthony Smith. Commissioned by the Fleming family to commemorate the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth in 2008. Photo: Fortheloveofknowledge…
The Drengr Code: Viking Warrior Virtues
Guests from Overseas (1901) by Nicholas Roerich, depicting a Varangian raid. The Drengr Code was a set of principles that guided the behavior of Viking warriors. It emphasized bravery, loyalty,…
Harnessing Apache Wisdom: Practical Applications for Modern Life
The Apache warriors, known for their exceptional resilience, adaptability, and strategic acumen, have left a lasting legacy that extends beyond their historical context. By examining the core principles that guided…
John T. Downey: The CIA Officer Who Was America’s Longest Held POW
John T. Downey (left) and Richard Fecteau at CIA headquarters in 2013. November 17, 2024, marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of former CIA officer John Thomas Downey, often…
The Norwegian Milorg: A Pillar of Resistance in WWII
Milorg resistance fighters marching after the handover of Akershus Fortress to the resistance movement by the Germans in May 1945. The Norwegian Milorg, short for “Militær Organisasjon” (Military Organization), was…
The Crucial Role of Intelligence in Winning the Cold War
Remains of the “Iron Curtain” in the Czech Republic, 2014. Photo by Marcin Szala / CC BY-SA 3.0. The Cold War, spanning from the end of World War II in…
Turning the Tide: OSS Double-Agent Operations in World War II
The OSS Memorial situated on the south wall of the OSS Memorial situated on the south wall of the Original Headquarters Building lobby, Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency photo.…
JFK Special Warfare Museum: A Tribute to Army Special Operations Forces
Soldiers from each of the Army’s seven Special Forces Groups at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy in November 2011. U.S. Army photo by SFC Jeremy D. Crisp /…