UPCOMING MEETINGS

March 16, 2024: 

Josef “Joe” Kurlanski presenting on cyber security. 2:00 p.m.

Kennebunk High School, Economos Lecture Hall

April 20, 2024: 

Speaker: Foreign Service Officer (Ret.) Louis Sell.

May 18, 2024: TBA

June 15, 2024: 

Speaker: Ambassador R. Cekuta

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FORMER INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS

The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) was incorporated in 1975 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-political, educational association for current and former intelligence professionals and supporters of the US intelligence community. The Association is based in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

AFIO’s mission is to build a public constituency for a sound, healthy and capable U.S. intelligence system. The focus is on education fostering an understanding of the important role of intelligence in National Security and nurtures interest by students in careers in the many fields used by U.S. Intelligence Agencies. This includes the role of supporting intelligence activities in U.S. policy, diplomacy, strategy, security, and defense.

In addition, AFIO focuses on understanding the critical need for effective counterintelligence and security against foreign, political, technological, or economic espionage, as well as covert, clandestine and overt counter-terrorist or criminal operations threatening US security, the national infrastructure or corporate and individual safety.
AFIO’s mission has special significance in today’s international diplomatic and business environments.

Membership and subscription:
To join or subscribe go to: www.afio.com

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Counterterrorism Tactics and Strategies: Navigating the Evolving Landscape.

Introduction

In the ever-shifting terrain of global security, counterterrorism remains a paramount concern for intelligence professionals. The landscape of terror threats has evolved significantly, adapting to new technologies and geopolitical changes. This article delves into the current and emerging tactics and strategies in counterterrorism, offering a comprehensive view for intelligence veterans and active professionals alike.

The Changing Face of Terrorism

Terrorism in the 21st century has transformed, with decentralized groups and lone-wolf actors replacing more structured organizations. The rise of digital platforms has enabled these actors to recruit, radicalize, and disseminate propaganda with alarming efficiency. This shift demands a reevaluation of traditional counterterrorism approaches....click here for more

THE MAINE CHAPTER MISSION STATEMENT

Our objective is to promote to the general public the importance of having an effective intelligence community for a strong first line of defense.

We accomplish this by bringing to Maine high value contemporary primary sources from the intelligence community to present their experiences about the facts behind today's media headlines.

Source priority:  Intelligence Community, Ambassadors, State Department officials, foreign nationals, and senior advisors to high echelon administration officials.

        AFIO Maine:  April 20, 2024 Meeting

Conflict in the Ukraine

The next public meeting of AFIO (Association of Former Intelligence Officers) will be on Saturday, April 20th, at 2:00 p.m.in Kennebunk High School's Economos Lecture Hall, 89 Fletcher Street. The speaker, Mr. Louis Sell, will address some of the current situations in the Ukraine as impacted by Vladimer Putin and the Russians.

Mr. Snell is a retired Foreign Service Officer who worked six years in the US Embassy in Moscow and eight years in parts of Yugoslavia. He has an extensive background in other areas including serving as a member the Bosnian Peace Conference and helping found the American University in Kosovo in 2003. He speaks Serbo-Croatian and Russian.

His presentation will address the long and complicated relationship between Russia and the Ukraine and what this conflict means for the US and the world. Also there will be information about phases of the war, casualties, foreign assistance and what needs to be done. Lastly Mr. Snell will look at the possibility of nuclear war.

The AFIO meeting is open to the public and will begin at 2 p.m. in the Economos Lecture Hall at Kennebunk High School, 89 Fletcher Street. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.