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The CIA's Master of Disguise: Jonna Mendez Talks the Art of Deception and Illusion During the Cold War

The CIA's Master of Disguise: Jonna Mendez Talks the Art of Deception and Illusion During the Cold War

FromThe Burn Bag – National Security and Foreign Policy Redefined


The CIA's Master of Disguise: Jonna Mendez Talks the Art of Deception and Illusion During the Cold War

FromThe Burn Bag – National Security and Foreign Policy Redefined

ratings:
Length:
54 minutes
Released:
Apr 22, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

In this episode, A'ndre and Andrea welcome Jonna Mendez, a distinguished former Chief of Disguise in the CIA's Office of Technical Service, for an intriguing discussion on espionage, disguise, and Jonna's groundbreaking career. Known for her role that is sometimes akin to "Q" from the James Bond series, Jonna sheds light on her 27-year tenure at the CIA, where she specialized in clandestine photography and innovative disguise tactics in some of the most hostile theaters of the Cold War.  The conversation explores the art of disguise, examining what makes a good disguise, the contingency plans for disguise failures, and how these tactics differed from those of adversaries. Jonna also shares her perspective on how technological advancements, especially biometrics, impact modern clandestine operations and what innovations the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology is pursuing.  Jonna also discusses the challenges of proving herself in a male-dominated field and the significance of mentorship in her success. You can check out Jonna's book, In True Face, here.
Released:
Apr 22, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

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