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:  Speaker:  International Photojournalist Jonathan Alpeyrie.

June 15, 2024: 

Speaker: Ambassador R. Cekuta

September 2024:  Cancelled

October 2024:  Michael Ambler

November 16, 2024:  VADM Merz

2025

May 17, 2025:  Ambassador Ronald Neumann 

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

AFIO/ME Meeting

October 19, 2024

2:00 p.m.

Kennebunk High School Economos Lecture Hall

89 Fletcher Street, Kennebunk, ME

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Today’s Laos Mine Action Team 53 along the
Ho Chi Minh Trail

The next meeting of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) will be on Saturday, October 19, at 2 p.m. in Kennebunk High School's Economos Lecture Hall, 89 Fletcher Street. Our speaker, Michael Ambler, will discuss the Secret War, the damaged yet beautiful nation of Laos, and the work of Restoration Laos and MAT 53.

From 1965 to 1974, the United States waged a secret war in Laos, in an effort to impede North Vietnamese supply lines and support Hmong militias against the Pathet Lao insurgency.

During this time, the U.S. dropped an unprecedented number of bombs, making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. The devastating impact included the destruction of towns, the displacement of a quarter of the population, and the ongoing threat of unexploded bombs, which continue to claim lives and hinder rural development.

Michael Ambler, head of Restoration Laos, will discuss the legacy of this war and the vital work of Mine Action Team 53. This team, comprised of young women bomb experts, works in the poorest, most remote areas of Laos to clear unexploded ordnance. Thanks to Restoration Laos, which stepped in to preserve the team, they are helping restore safety and dignity to villages, allowing communities to reclaim their land and rebuild their lives.

Michael Ambler is a trained lawyer, a priest of the Episcopal Church, and President of Restoration Laos. A graduate of Princeton University, The University of Michigan Law School, and Episcopal Divinity School, he lives in Maine with his wife Darreby.

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.