The life and death theatre of espionage | Jonna Mendez | TEDxBermuda

As a retired CIA intelligence officer with 27 years of service, her career comprised of multiple under cover assignments. She joined the CIA’s Office of Technical Service (OTS) in early 1970, (often compared to “Q” Branch in the 007 movies), holding the position of Chief of Disguise. She also worked closely with her husband in writing Argo and Moscow Rules. Jonna is a founding board member at the International Spy Museum.

[-roejogan-]

_"I spent 27 years at CIA, undercover"_

Did they know you were there

[missprizm]

Thinking of the hundreds of stories she has that will probably never be told.

[marielaperriere]

I've been binging all of Jonna's videos. She's the coolest! I wish we were neighbors, or family, so I could have her over for dinner and CIA storytime.

[peggyharris]

Imagine the stories she can tell her grandchildren.
Imagine the advice she gives them.
Imagine what those kids could grow up to be.
I want her as my grandmother

[lewismassie]

"I don't have to kill you"
The way that is phrased implies that she totally could

[Bobscents]

Wow, I did NOT expect her to have such a high up role in the CIA( and no, not because she is a woman{Gina Haspel is the head of CIA}), she looks like a dean of some college, the lady showing me watches in the jewelry department of Macy’s or my state’s DMV driving instructor. To then realize she coordinated dangerous operations all over the world.... I’m just speechless. She KNOWS her job and damn, the CIA knows theirs. This is one of the many reasons why I love TEDx! My hats off to the staff of TEDx, you have the most interesting people, stories and ideas I have ever seen. Great job!!👍

[JudyCZ]

Oh, this is the wonderful woman who did a video with Wired a couple months back! I need to see this.

[ComplexPortal]

I can't imagine the stress these people had working in Moscow. The constant fact that a mistake might cost someone their life must have been just exhausting.

[tabby]

Her IQ and discipline must be through the roof. Hats off!

[jtjc]

What a fascinating woman. I am genuinely interested in everything she ever has to say, and I hope they allow her to continue to speak. What wisdom you must have after being in that world for 27 years. What thought processes go through your mind that that every day normal people would never consider. You take people who may exist in absolute ignorance of the fabled CIA, and make them start searching videos just to learn. That's a pretty good tool for the CIA and recruitment TBH.

[karenkingrey]

I just adore this woman! The I formation she has is astounding! And, that’s just what we know.

[fernandojunior]

“Know your enemy and their terrain intimately” - Sun Tzu

[Alane]

any one else find spy culture so fascinating?

[buckanderson]

I've learned the hard way to ignore my instincts at my own peril. The hard thing about instincts is that you only know they were right when you ignore them and wish you hadn't. Better safe than sorry!

[esker]

Arguably one of the best TEDTalks ever

[jessicaspain]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the world desperately needs a TV show about this woman!

[Auburn]

I love this woman! To be able to have a nice long chat with her is a true dream. Oh, the wonderful stories she could tell.

[elizabethlumu]

She's brilliant, very brilliant. I wonder what else she hasn't told us.

[mariaamador]

So Thankful for everything you & your husband did.

[andec]

She's one of the guests I'd invite to my Dinner Party. So very interesting and intriguing.