 Most
of the people on Alias are spies. Most of the time, they act like
spies. Which means they probably should in your fic. These resources
cover various aspects of the spy trade, including terminology and
procedures. Remember that guns and technology
have been split into another section, although some of these
resources overlap.
terminology
Glossary of Spy Terms: A good long list of terminology in the
spy trade. Also has a lot of history (such as when things were
founded/initiated, etc.)
Tradecraft: A Glossary of Terms: A shorter list, but it covers
some big terms missing from the above glossary. Combined, they're
fairly comprehensive.
The CIA's Glossary: If the above two didn't do it for you, this
one surely will. This tends more toward departmental abbreviations,
but it's got plenty.
spy stuff and how-to
Dark
Corner: I could spend hours here. Seriously. It contains a
Spying World section which talks about how agents are selected and
recruited, agent training, covers, communication, security, types of
agents, concealment, counterintelligence and counterespionage,
ciphers and codes and invisible inks. Also sections on spy cities
and spy tools (including cameras, lockpicking tools, phone tapping,
voice changers, listening devices, etc.). Other sections of the site
cover things like handwriting analysis, lie detectors, lockpicking
(again) and hacking, as well as a lot of paranormal stuff (if you're
also interested in that). The caveat? None of it seems to be
official, so the design and writing tend to reflect this. But it's
worth a look.
How Lock
Picking Works (howstuffworks): A step-by-step guide to
lockpicking.
CIA's Tree: Some Kind of Secret (Wired): Article talks about
some real-life spy gadgets.
Ex-CIA chief revitalizes 'truth serum' debate (USA Today):
Focuses on Sodium Pentothal, what it does, and whether it's actually
used. Also discusses some other interrogation techniques.
Truth
Serums & Torture (AlterNet): A different angle on truth serums
and torture.
Going Ballistic! (Wired): A tour of fabled Cheyenne Mountain.
Wrist-Top Revolution (Wired): Article about wearable computers
and watches.
spy life
Analyze This (ABC News): Article about the need for analysts and
what they do.
U.S. Marshals
Witness Security: If you're writing a fic in which people go
into witness protection, this is the real-life equivalent.
Association of Former Intelligence
Officers: If only to prove that there is such thing as a retired
spy.
A Spy's Strange Sexual Life (CBS
News): The main article is about Robert Hanssen and is way on
the creepy side. But check out the side links to interactive
features on double agents, spy secrets, polygraph, and inside the
FBI.
official sites and documents
The CIA: Among the numerous
features here are a FOIA Reading Room, numerous reports that are
just waiting to become plot bunnies, information about CIA careers,
headquarters, and a particularly rich set of resources at its
Publications
& Reports subsite (including a downloadable Factbook on
Intelligence and CIA Maps and Publications).
Virtual Tour of the CIA (CIA Web site): I ran across this when I
was looking for information about the memorial wall. This link takes
you to that info, but I'd bet the rest of the tour is also useful.
The NSA: A lot of information
about cryptography here, as well as INFOSEC, public information
releases, and security recommendation guides.
The FBI: Includes sections that
cover reorganization of the FBI, counterterrorism and
counterintelligence, technology and terrorism.
U.S.
Espionage Act of 1917: Full text of the Act, I do believe.
National
Reconnaissance Office: Includes a FOIA section and declassified
data (look under Corona or Archives), including images and video.
MI5 (British Security Service):
Includes sections on openness, history of the security service,
myths and understandings, and British law.
Government Communications
Headquarters (Britain): Includes a codebreaking section.
Office of
the Surveillance Commissioners (OSC, Britain): Details how to go
about covert surveillance in Britain.
intelligence world
FAS: This subsite may or may
not still be up. It contained more intelligence-world specific
examinations of things like terrorism, worldwide intelligence
agendas, imagery, etc. If it's gone, try the
root, which still has some
interesting stuff.
The National Security
Archive (George Washington University): There's a lot of
historical information here, including old documents released
through FOIA. Includes projects on topics like the Cold War, Nuclear
History, Cuba and China.
Jane's Intelligence Review:
Promises impartial coverage of the intelligence world, and covers a
broad range of topics, including terrorism, "systematic transational
crime," weapons proliferation and the cyber world.
Recent Espionage
Cases: Although it doesn't look it, this is at least
semi-official (it was on a government site). Covers espionage cases
from 1975-1999 and you can access them by name, organization and
date.
On Behalf of National
Security: This Russia-based site provides a different view on
the intelligence world, and some intriguing articles.
Global
Security.org Intelligence Resources: Contains information on the
intelligence organizations of a number of countries, as well as
news, reports and imagery.
The Terrorism Research
Center: Topics include terrorism, information warfare and
critical infrastructure.
Cryptome: Contains more
recent news, a good place to go if you're looking to bounce a story
off of current events. |
