Zach Dorfman

“You might take me out. But I’ll merck the whole global economy with me”

In addition to journalism, I’m open to think tanks, policy work, cybersecurity firms—anywhere that might be interested in the skill sets I’ve managed to build up over nearly two decades in this space.

It’s no secret that investigative journalism is on life support. The economics of the profession, always shaky, have become increasingly untenable. If you enjoyed this, or any of my other work, and are looking for a full-time editor or writer, get in touch!

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

And thank you for sharing!

A different time. And a very different mindset.

They Came to Spy on America. They Stayed to Coach Little League. In the wake of the Cold War, some Soviet bloc spies decided their fake American lives weren’t so bad.

Not going to give away any plot spoilers from @zachsdorfman.bsky.social's riveting spy tale, but I am astonished by the final CIA/FBI decision towards these Soviet illegals:

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

The Iranian regime believes—apparently correctly, though the messaging from the US has been inconsistent—it is facing an existential threat. Its economy is already in shambles. What does it care about blowing up global trade in order to save itself? If you are Tehran, what wouldn’t you endure?

They Came to Spy on America. They Stayed to Coach Little League. In the wake of the Cold War, some Soviet bloc spies decided their fake American lives weren’t so bad.

Love this @zachsdorfman.bsky.social story on what happened to spies after the Soviet Union fell, a true life version of The Americans www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
• More hardline than father
• He’s the IRGC candidate
• Relatively young: 56
• Avoids public
• Trusted by father, clerics
• Was in military during Iraq-Iran war
• His wife, Zahra, killed in Israeli airstrike w his father

Joking

Bill Harvey? The Div D Chief?

Granted, Mojtaba might not be long for this world. Ask all the Al Qaeda “number threes” how being in leadership went for them.

Killing the old man just so his reportedly much more radical/hardline son could take the reins. The Kim Jong-II to Kim Jong Un pipeline, facilitated by bombing runs.

This order would also presumably apply to most, if not all, CIA officers in Riyadh under diplomatic cover. The CIA station there was already damaged by an Iranian strike. Still, quite the time for CIA to be ostensibly pulling back its presence in the capital of one of its closest regional allies.

Thought you like this one

There’s a little something for everyone in this impressivley researched spy-vs-spy piece by @zachsdorfman.bsky.social archive.is/QwS3c

They Came to Spy on America. They Stayed to Coach Little League. In the wake of the Cold War, some Soviet bloc spies decided their fake American lives weren’t so bad.

NEW, from me: A secret chapter of Cold War history, told here for the first time. A deep cover Soviet Bloc spy living in America as the Berlin Wall fell. The shocking moves by a European intel chief. And the incredible CI chess games by FBI and CIA counterspies.

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

NEW, from me: A secret chapter of Cold War history, told here for the first time. A deep cover Soviet Bloc spy in America at the end of the Cold War. The shocking moves by a European intel chief. And the incredible CI chess games by FBI and CIA counterspies.

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Here’s a tidbit I couldn’t fit into the story: As the Berlin Wall was falling, FBI counterintelligence began to circulate a highly-classified bulletin about the intel activities of all the Warsaw Pact spy services, tracking their moves toward the West. The name of that bulletin?

“Winds of Change”

They Came to Spy on America. They Stayed to Coach Little League. In the wake of the Cold War, some Soviet bloc spies decided their fake American lives weren’t so bad.

Fascinating story of Soviet bloc spies who embedded themselves so deftly that they essentially became American. Phillip Jennings, but for real.

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Fantastic story, just as a gripping narrative.

But also an illustration of the importance of soft power, at a moment at which we're squandering all of it.

This is a super cool story.

This is a phenomenal read of late Cold War history I wasn't aware of.

NEW: As the Berlin Wall fell, FBI counterintelligence confronted a Soviet Bloc deep-cover spy in San Francisco. It would help set off an explosive chain of events leading to a shocking gambit by a European intel chief.

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

FBI undercover listening to a Czech spy get all woo on him

This kills me every time

That detail is from former senior FBI CI agent David Major, who personally oversaw production of the ”Winds of Change” bulletins.

Here’s a tidbit I couldn’t fit into the story: As the Berlin Wall was falling, FBI counterintelligence began to circulate a highly-classified bulletin about the intel activities of all the Warsaw Pact spy services, tracking their moves toward the West. The name of that bulletin?

“Winds of Change”

This is absolutly a must read. The Dorfman has the sources, and my god what a story does he tell.

Thanks man!