John Sipher

Guest Author

John Sipher (@john_sipher) is the co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment, a firm providing content to the entertainment industry, and a Director of Client Services at CrossLead, a software/consulting firm.

John is a sought-after foreign policy and intelligence expert. His articles have been published in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Politico, Foreign Affairs, Newsweek, Slate, Lawfare, and The Cipher Brief as well as Just Security. He regularly appears on the PBS NewsHour, CNN, MSNBC, BBC and speaks to corporate, academic and governmental groups.

John retired in 2014 after a 28-year career in the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service. At the time of his retirement, he was a member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, the leadership team that guides CIA activities globally. John served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, and in high-threat environments. He has significant experience working with foreign and domestic partners to solve national security challenges. John also served as a lead instructor in the CIA’s clandestine training school and was a regular lecturer at the CIA’s leadership development program. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

John graduated from Hobart College and has a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University. He has attended a variety of executive courses at Harvard University, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, The Aspen Institute, and the Intelligence Community’s Executive Leadership program.

Articles by this author:

Same Data, Same Strategy: A New Look at How the Trump Campaign and Russian Intelligence Operated in 2016

by

May 21st, 2021

A Letter to President-Elect Biden on Restoring Relations with the Intelligence Community

by and

Nov 9th, 2020

Why the 2020 Election Will Be A Mess Part II: Beyond Russian Disinformation

by , and

Mar 9th, 2020

Why the 2020 Election Will Be A Mess: It’s Just Too Easy for Putin

by , and

Feb 19th, 2020

Is Trump a Russian Agent?: Explaining Terms of Art and Examining the Facts

by

Apr 16th, 2019

Trump’s Moves Against the Intelligence Community Are Hurting U.S. National Security

by and

Jan 31st, 2019

Western Covert Action and Russian Active Measures: Hypocrisy or Divergent Values?

by

Jan 22nd, 2019

Putin Had a Win-Win Strategy for Life Post-2016; Trump, Not So Much

by , and

Sep 21st, 2018

We’ve Been Here Before: Sticks Don’t Work Well with Pakistan

by

Jan 18th, 2018

The Steele Dossier in 2018: Everyone’s Favorite Weapon

by

Jan 9th, 2018

Collusion Doesn’t Have to be Criminal to be an Ongoing Threat

by , and

Dec 15th, 2017

Do You Want Putin’s Attention? Sanction Sport

by

Dec 5th, 2017

Who in Their Right Mind Would Believe Putin?

by and

Nov 12th, 2017

The Public Needs a Lesson in Russian Strategic Deception: It’s What You Want to Hear

by

Nov 3rd, 2017

A Second Look at the Steele Dossier

by

Sep 6th, 2017

Sonic “Attacks” on US Diplomats in Cuba: Don’t Rush to Conclusions

by

Aug 21st, 2017

Don’t Expect Indictments Soon in Russia Probe: When Counterintelligence and Prosecutorial Interests Meet

by

Aug 14th, 2017