Author Archive

John Sipher

Retired 28-year veteran of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service

John Sipher is a retired 28-year veteran of the CIA’s National Clandestine Service. He served in the Senior Intelligence Service.
Ideas

Paul Whelan Isn’t a Spy, and Putin Knows It

The American’s detention reminds us that Russia continues to perfect dirty tricks pioneered by the KGB.

  • John Sipher, The Atlantic
Ideas

Trump Is Repeating Soviet Leaders’ Intel Mistakes

Stalin ignored his spies when their findings contradicted his assumptions. Now the U.S. president is doing the same.

  • John Sipher, The Atlantic
Ideas

Why American Spies Worry When Trump Meets Putin

Just as the Russian leader has unleashed his intelligence and security services, the American president has kneecapped and undermined his own.

  • John Sipher, The Atlantic
Ideas

Taking Putin's Word For It

Trump wants to believe both the Russian president’s denial of election meddling, and the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies. But he can’t have it both ways.

  • Ryan Goodman and John Sipher, The Atlantic