Daniel N. Hoffman
Columns by Daniel N. Hoffman
The critical work of CIA Director William Burns
CIA Director William Burns' high-value counsel to the president and his team, especially Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, is critical for making informed foreign policy decisions. Published August 10, 2023
In intelligence, allies like Ukraine are the ultimate force multiplier
During my last overseas CIA assignment as a station chief in a South Asian war zone, we worked in close partnership with our colleagues in the intelligence community, State Department and U.S. military. Published July 27, 2023
How Ukraine’s campaign to defend Bakhmut weakened Putin
In May 2022, the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut found itself on the front lines of Russia's war of aggression, the unlikely focus of a ferocious offensive by Kremlin forces. Published July 13, 2023
CIA officer Ric Prado’s stellar career still inspires agents today
One of the great regrets of my decadeslong CIA career is that I never had the honor of serving under the legendary CIA senior clandestine services officer Ric Prado. Published June 29, 2023
Willful blindness doomed Putin’s disastrous Ukraine war from the start
Mr. Putin's only success -- amid his colossal failure to prepare his own military force for war -- has been to induce a measure of "escalation paralysis" from the Biden administration. Published June 22, 2023
President Kennedy’s call, ‘let them come to Berlin,’ still has lessons to teach 60 years later
It was 60 years ago this month that President John F. Kennedy delivered his impassioned speech in defense of liberty, freedom and self-government to 1 million citizens in the then-democratic enclave of West Berlin. Published June 5, 2023
Stars on the wall at CIA headquarters tell Memorial Day tale
The CIA's Memorial Wall is in the lobby of the Original Headquarters Building. Published May 25, 2023
As autocrats attack journalists, the world must stand in defense of a free press
In 2018, my late wife, Kim, and I attended the White House Correspondents' Association dinner for the first time. Published May 11, 2023
Why I didn’t sign the Hunter Biden laptop letter
I was one of the retired senior officials who received an email from former acting CIA Director Michael Morell asking us to sign the now-infamous Hunter Biden laptop letter. Published April 27, 2023
Thoughts on Pentagon’s national security leak and what comes next
There is a lot we're still learning about the Pentagon intelligence document leak, but this much we do know: The Biden administration is confronting a significant counterintelligence flap. Published April 20, 2023
With a serving of ‘sisu,’ Finland add weight to NATO’s clash with Russia
A few decades back, I had the honor of joining friends from the Helsinki Rotary Club to bring some good cheer to Finnish war veterans during the holiday season. Published April 13, 2023
Yes, there’s a new Cold War — and China started it
It's time to harness the power of that bipartisan consensus against China, or our national security will suffer the gravest of consequences. Published March 30, 2023
After long intelligence career, Patricia Moynihan still putting out fires
Emergency medical technicians are almost always the first to arrive and provide lifesaving medical care for the critically injured. Published March 16, 2023
Good policies, good allies needed to confront China
In the aftermath of the shootdown of the Chinese spy balloon, U.S. relations with Beijing are at their worst since President Richard Nixon opened up to China 50 years ago. Published March 2, 2023
Ukraine debacle leaves Russia facing future as China’s vassal
One year into the most devastating war in Europe since World War II, China is ruthlessly focused on taking maximum advantage of a weakened Russia and an isolated Vladimir Putin. Published February 16, 2023
In troubled times, Biden’s speech should embrace peace through strength
Two hundred and thirty years ago, President Washington used the very first State of the Union address at Congress Hall in Philadelphia to outline the doctrine of peace through strength. Published February 2, 2023
What the Ana Montes espionage case can teach us
Former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst Ana Montes, who was convicted of spying for Cuba in 2002, was released from a Texas federal prison earlier this month. Published January 19, 2023
At the CIA, foundation helps the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
On Memorial Day, the CIA holds a ceremony to honor the courageous agency officers who gave their lives in service to their country. Published January 5, 2023
Team Biden needs to publicly defend democracy against brittle dictators in Iran and China
Sparked by the arrest and death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a wave of popular protest, strikes and civil unrest against Iran's dictatorship has spread throughout the country. Published December 22, 2022
CIA’s Deputy Director Marlowe delivers a pointed message to a floundering Russia
Dave Marlowe has been the CIA's deputy director of operations since June 2021, and his work is worth knowing about. Published December 8, 2022
