Daniel N. Hoffman
Columns by Daniel N. Hoffman
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
Giving thanks to Ukraine for fighting the bigger fight
Now entering its tenth month, Russia's barbaric war on Ukraine has produced the most destructive humanitarian disaster in Europe since World War II. Published November 24, 2022
One family’s story of the debts we owe our veterans
In 1918, after the end of World War I, my grandfather, who had served in the Navy, and his brother, who had served in the Army, returned to their hometown of Boston, where they had a tearful reunion. Published November 10, 2022
Time to put politics aside and treat fentanyl crisis as a clear and present danger
Alarm bells should be ringing in the Biden White House after the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 300,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills worth almost $10 million in a Bronx apartment building last month. Published November 3, 2022
From Putin’s dark past, lessons for addressing today’s crisis
In March 2018, it is useful now to remember, Russian GRU military intelligence operatives traveled to Salisbury, England, where they poisoned defector Sergei Skripal with the chemical nerve agent Novichok. Published October 20, 2022
Biden needs a ‘plan B’ when it comes to Iran
Iranian security forces in recent days have been arresting civilians chanting "Death to the dictator" as nationwide protests grip the country. Published October 6, 2022
Not done yet — Putin still dangerous as his Ukraine war goes south
Director CIA William Burns told a recent cyber security conference in Washington that it was "hard to see the record of the war -- Putin's record -- as anything other than a failure so far. Published September 22, 2022
A decade after Benghazi, honoring four American heroes who paid the ultimate price
This month, the CIA and State Department will honor and remember four American heroes who were killed during the firefight with terrorists at the U.S. diplomatic compound and CIA annex in Benghazi. Published September 8, 2022
China can’t be the CIA’s only focus in a world of threats
While elected officials often train their sights capriciously from one area of focus to another, the CIA must simultaneously and continuously track all threats across the globe. Published August 25, 2022
Al-Zawahiri’s death should be celebrated, but big questions remain
The successful counterterrorism strike that killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri removed from the battlefield a dangerous terrorist who declared war on the U.S. decades ago. Published August 11, 2022
Time for U.S. to end the ambiguity and guarantee Taiwan’s security
The goal for Washington and Taipei is to make Taiwan a hard target, one too costly in spilled blood and lost treasure for China to invade. Published July 28, 2022
Despite his delusions, Putin is no Peter the Great
For those who ever had the pleasure of serving in Moscow's "belly of the beast," there must have been little surprise when KGB officer Vladimir Putin emerged from the ash heap of the Soviet Evil Empire as President of Russia in 2000. Published July 14, 2022
Jack Barsky and the Fourth of July
"Jack Barsky" is not his real name. The real Jack Barsky died when he was ten years old. Jack Barsky was a cover legend, which the KGB created to send East German national Albrecht Dittrich to the United States in the late 1970's as a deep undercover spy. Published June 30, 2022
Wisdom from a dad on Father’s Day
Each and every Father's Day, especially since I became the father of two boys of my own, a flood of childhood memories of my late father rushes over me. Published June 16, 2022
Using anti-terror expertise to fight human trafficking in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin's barbaric war in Ukraine has spawned a humanitarian catastrophe. Published June 2, 2022
Memorial Day: A somber thanks to our fallen troops
There is no more sacred and somber day for the U.S. than Memorial Day when we commemorate the men and women who died in military service. Published May 26, 2022