Larnaca, Cyprus“I
don’t have to remind anyone that whatever we conclude for transmittal to highers could have some serious political ramifications. So let’s stay neutral here and call it like we see it.” Rich Groscost, the MNIE Chief of Mission on loan from the NSA and a highly regarded expert in tactical intelligence evaluation—a pursuit he called “being best at guessing what happens next”—looked around at the intercept technicians and analysts gathered in the second floor conference room. “The Syrian situation seems to be getting more complicated by the minute. Nothing surprising there but we’ve got some new material in the attachment titled Sunflower Three Alpha. Take a minute to refresh yourselves on it and then we’ll start.”
As his senior staff studied their laptops and iPads, Rich
