(Forge Books) is about the turf wars between the Pentagon and the CIA and the privatization of national security.
In case you're ever wondering why Congress doesn't seem to get it when it comes to human intelligence, from a passage discussing HUMINT in a recent CRS report "Intelligence Issues for Congress:"
"Today, however, the need is to seek information from clandestine terrorist groups or narcotics traffickers who do not appear at embassy social gatherings."
But the problem is, hanging with bad boys (and girls) has risks not commonly associated with cocktail party espionage:
"Any involvement with terrorist groups or smugglers has a potential for major embarrassment to the U.S. government and, of course, physical danger to those immediately involved."
My god, NOCs are not only at risk of causing the US government embarrassment, but they could be tortured or killed--which is probably preferable to living with the guilt of embarrassing the USG or having to attend those deadly cocktail parties.
The Marines' bar, anyone?
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Okay, was just about to post and I realized there's a relevant passage from OUTSOURCED. I haven't broken the news to my regulars here yet, but the main male character of OUTSOURCED isn't CIA, he's one of the Secret Squirrels--yes, General Boykin's fun-loving Pentagon spies and he's a NOC who was undercover among the bad boys:
“You haven’t told me your name,” Jackie said.
“Ray.”
“Is that your real name?”
“Real as it gets.”
“So you’re CIA?”
“Don’t overestimate the Agency. Most of them are cocktail party pimps. It’s their local whores who screw the muj, not them.” His voice was clipped.
“Somehow I didn’t think my husband Brian sent you.”
“He might have sent someone, but it wasn’t me.”
“Then what were you doing there, posing as one of them?”
“It’s complicated.”
She sighed and turned away from him. “I liked you a lot better when you first rescued me.”
“I liked me a lot better then, too.”
OUTSOURCED is now available at bookstores or online.
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Now a private word with The Spies Who Monitor Me:
I did check for you guys at Hqs. Sorry to say it's not going to be in the EEA--too bureaucratic of vetting process. It is across the street at the Tysons Corner Mall Barnes and Noble where it's supposed to be on a front table, though I had a fuzzy report it was on the shelves--if it isn't pls. let me know and I'll raise hell--my publisher paid for that. (Yes, that one of the dirty little secrets of the publishing industry--paid placement.) The Tysons Borders promises to have it out tomorrow, I'm told. Sorry DoD guys, my Pentagon intel is slow getting back to me about the Mall bookstore. Hmm, DoD humint not as efficient as the Agency's...strange. Would one of you guys mind doing me a favor and check on it? If it's not there, I need to know if they're carrying it and if not, I'll have my publisher's reps jump on it. Ping me or leave a comment. Thanks! It would be appreciated!)
And a final housekeeping note: The Spy Who Billed Me is delighted to welcome all of you from SAIC to the Party! Now CIFA, you shouldn't feel bad anymore--you beat those guys by days!
I'm kind of surprised you don't have SAIC on your list of PMCs on the left sidebar.
Posted by: Joshua Foust | June 13, 2007 at 11:17
Good catch, Josh. I was sure I had them under Rent-A-Spy.
'Tis corrected. My apologies to the SAIC team.
Posted by: R J Hillhouse | June 13, 2007 at 13:37
Dr. Hillhouse,
Received my copy of "Outsourced" today, but it's stuck at the Post Office until tomorrow morning. Looking forward to reading it, and appreciate you having it sent to me.
Keep up the great work - you're my only source of info about intelligence services being outsourced.
Posted by: Erik Rader | June 14, 2007 at 20:47
I didnt hear about that really. I dont know
Posted by: seviyeli sohbet | June 11, 2009 at 11:49