Jonna Mendez: Inside The CIA and The Moscow Rules

This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

The action-packed, technology-filled life of spies can be intoxicating to read about or watch on TV. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine these kinds of scenes playing out in real life—but for Jonna Mendez, a former covert operative in the Soviet Union and former chief of disguise for the CIA, everything from complex disguises to “Spiderman” rappelling technology to high-speed car chases were part of her daily life.

Her new book, The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War, recounts the most exciting parts of the job, as well as the moments with the highest stakes for U.S. interests. Together with her co-author and husband Antonio Mendez, she explains the techniques and technologies that helped the Americans get one step ahead of the KGB.

Join us for a conversation with a real-life spy about her experiences as a covert operative and her role in the advancement of the American intelligence strategy that helped America win the Cold War.

The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum 📣, bringing together its 20,000 members for more than 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy. 

Founded in 1903 in San Francisco California 🌉, The Commonwealth Club has played host to a diverse and distinctive array of speakers, from Teddy Roosevelt in 1911 to Hillary Clinton in 2010. Along the way, Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton have all given landmark speeches at the Club.

[conchhead]

I can’t get enough of Jonna. I’m watching and listening to all of her talks. Thank you so much.

[OfficialBigDaddyBC]

I absolutely love the way Jonna chats about the CIA and her time serving. Such a wonderful role model for women.

[jeremiah]

What an amazing, articulate and intelligent woman and a great Patriot! We sure are fortunate to have people like her working so hard and dedicating their lives to ensuring the safety of this awesome country of ours. Thank you for your service Mrs. Mendez.

[sokrusound]

She is so good. I love listening to her stories. Also, she can answer a question without answering the question, but talking around it and you don't even realize it... Clever!

[mxochimera]

39:00 "But I was trained... in all of them." What a great, understated moment. So classy.

[Feeluck]

her language is always very collected, selected and prudent, its mysterious in some way. its interessting and at the same time you know she's not giving away alot of what she knows. not even about the very old cold war stuff

[susanadiasjohnson]

Thank you for your service. What a unique and utterly fascinating interview. This interview should be listened to by all USA citizens so we learn how valient, noble people are giving their lives daily to keep us safe.

[LandupSkydown]

I could listen to Jonna tell stories all day, im gonna have to read her three books now. She’s a great story teller and has such amazing stories to tell.

[blairmarshall]

I have to say the moderator did a great job here. Questions were brilliant. And he also gave her all the attention (which a lot of moderators forget and make it about themselves) very enjoyable watch/listen

[thedollbabys]

I love Jonna Mendez! Her books and talks are so easy to understand and she was such a great service to the US during the Cold War! God Bless you Jonna and your Husband who passed away is proud of you!

[krmccarrell]

Fascinating, I will surely read Jonna's book "Moscow Rules". As a Paralegal, I learned the importance of using just the right word, as well as speaking covertly. So I immediately recognized when Jonna did the same thing. Thank you Jonna for your selfless service, and thank you to the Commonwealth Club for sharing this interview.

[mint]

I am exactly halfway through this video and if the host doesn't pull a mask off his face at the very end I'm going to be very, very disappointed

[rocketman]

brilliant interview.Thank you Jonna and also your husband.Bill from Ireland

[estherwiskel]

Had to watch it again! What a total human-being, BRAVO Madam🥰

[jakeparker]

Thank you for serving our country ma’am<3

[elwyncoates]

Jonna Mendez makes me proud to live in America to enjoy all the blessings and priveleges we some times take for granted! Just knowing you were out there protecting this country was comforting and enough for me.

[jdtv]

(14:05) “it wouldn’t look like this” plot twist: SHE WAS IN DISGUISE DURING THE ENTIRE THING

[ecampbell]

Imagine having that career, being directly involved in situations where people have lost their lives, having that much loyalty to your country and to live and serve so selflessly, and to have the president discredit and discount you.
No greater insult.

[RikodiusRex]

I am so sorry for your loss, Jonna. Use "no sweat" underneath the latex masks. It's a topical antipersperant and prevents sweating underneath makeup. It's called "Skin Prep Pro", now...by Mehron. We use it in dance to keep our makeup on stage sweatproof. This should make the latex more comfortable. I can attest this stuff really works well but it dries your skin out, it's best to use it with pancake makeup or underneath a mask.

I appreciate you.

[OGColorado]

I read "Master of Disguise" and "Spy Dust". Both are fascinating and revealing. At a meeting with the late Ambassador Eugene Douglas who was in Moscow in his former capacity as an intelligence officer around the time of the episode where a swimmer with rebreathing gear exfiltrated the foreign agents via the Kremlin storm drains - I asked the late ambassador if that operation actually happened. His reply was nonverbal - a very sincere and yet slight nod to the affirmative. I didn't ask any more operational questions. Intelligence officers have written memoirs that are a peek inside their unique world. My reading list is long. Kudos for your service!