Jeff Stein
National Security Correspondent
Jeff Stein covers the spy agencies and foreign policy for Newsweek in Washington. His SpyTalk column originated in 2005 at Congressional Quarterly, where he was homeland security editor, and moved to the The Washington Post in 2010. Previously, he was deputy foreign editor at UPI. He is an investigative reporter of long standing, specializing in intelligence, defense and foreign policy. An Army Intelligence case officer in Vietnam, Jeff is also the author of three books, including A Murder in Wartime, about the 1969 prosecution of top Green Beret officers for the execution of a suspected enemy spy.
New Trump Sanctions Target the Shadowy Dealer in China-Iran Missile Deals
"This is an initial shot of a well-thought-out, methodical campaign that we will wage against China," said a Trump administration official.
Pete Buttigieg Explains How Serving in Afghanistan Helped His 2020 Rise
"Even for an exceptional country like us, it is not true as a matter of course that anything that appears to make America better off is the right thing to do," the presidential candidate told Newsweek.
Pete Buttigieg Blasts Trump Administration's Iran Rhetoric
"It makes you wonder whether it's being driven by a domestic political strategy. If so, that's extremely upsetting," Buttigieg told Newsweek.
China Court Sentences American Citizen To Death On Drug Charges
Mark Swidan of Texas was framed on 'flimsy' meth ring charges, lawyer says
Inside the White House Security Clearance Scandal
How Tricia Newbold found her voice and exposed serious security vulnerabilites unearthed in the FBI's background investigations of more than two dozen Trump appointees.
Inside the Secret Campaign to Find an American Hostage
Saturday marks the 12th anniversary of Levinson's disappearance. Private rescue groups say the U.S. government is thwarting efforts to bring him home
CIA Turncoats Should Be Lured Back With No Jail Time
The radical approach to turncoats has split the intelligence community. "Don't think I didn't know that people would choke on this," says David Charney, a CIA-connected psychiatrist.
Trump Officials Accused of Pushing Saudi Deal
The committee's interest in Michael Flynn's involvement was sparked by a "Newsweek" story on the national security adviser.
Will Iran Be Trump's Iraq?
Veteran Middle East hands worry that the president's blunders and Iranian overreactions could lead to a shooting conflict nobody wants.
Justice for America: Al-Qaeda Militant Dead
The killing of Jamal al-Badawi is little cause for celebration, veteran counterterrorism officials say.
Trump's Connections to the Mafia: FBI Investigation
Trump has been wrapped in Mafia connections for decades. Here's how he learned to talk like a don.
Trump's Government Shutdown Will Let Immigrants Stay
"It's important to note the irony of having immigration judges and courts go on furlough when it's caused by a border issue."
Will Trump Resign if He's Impeached or Indicted?
If Richard Nixon's final days are any guide, the system is in for a whole lot of shaking before Trump exits.
Controversial Firm to Aid Terrorist Interrogation Unit
The Donald Trump administration has contracted with MVM to conduct classified research for a super-secret unit that coordinates the questioning of key captured terrorist suspects.
After Torture Ban, Army Still Fighting Reforms: Experts
Obama outlawed "enhanced interrogations" almost a decade ago. But experts said the Army and FBI had fought reforms.
Troops Not Briefed on Alleged 270 Criminal Migrants
Both a current and former DHS official cast doubt on how the department came up with the figure while the caravan is still hundreds of miles away from the U.S. border.
Revealed: Identity of Mole Who Dimed Out FBI Traitor
A new book names the KGB defector who gave the FBI the Kremlin's dossier on Robert Hanssen, the most dangerous mole in U.S. history.
Khashoggi Death Highlights U.S. College's Saudi Ties
University of New Haven helps Saudi police college train a 'next generation of security professionals.'
Memo Roils Broadcom's Bid for Sensitive U.S. Contracts
Rand Paul calls on Trump administration to halt sale of U.S. technology firm to Broadcom, which recently moved from Singapore to California.
Is Trump Ready to 'Get the Hell Out' of Afghanistan?
A "devastating" new intelligence estimate on Afghanistan will give Trump cover to order a complete retreat, analysts fear.
McCain's Death Creates a Foreign Policy Void
No other Congressional Republican has the stature to take on Trump over NATO and Russia, observers say.
CIA and Saudi Arabia Buried 9/11 Secrets, New Book Says
As the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, family members and former FBI agents say a conspiracy of silence means "we still don't know what happened."
Trump Supporting T-Shirt Creators 'Just Fooling Around'
Two Ohio men triggered a viral response with their "I'd Rather Be a Russian Than a Democrat" shirts.
How Putin Will Take Down Trump
Putin could sink Trump with leaks of secret Russian loans, collusion in 2016.
Trump's Embrace of Putin Has Some CIA Spies Spooked
CIA spies are carrying on their work, but many veterans worry secret operations will be damaged—or worse.
Prosecution of J20 Rioters 'Should Scare' Dissenters
How a federal prosecutor, the police and right-wing provocateur James O'Keefe conspired—and failed—to railroad protesters in Washington, D.C.
Coats Is Valuable 'Sane' Voice for Trump, Panetta Says
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats is staying put—for the time being.
To The Finland Station
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's Helsinki summit holds danger and opportunity for both.
Former CIA Directors Slam Trump's Conspiracy Theories
The president's attacks on the U.S. intelligence community have cast CIA and FBI leaders into the unprecedented role of public "truth tellers."
Haspel Offered Forgetful Slip on CIA Torture
Speaking to the Senate intelligence committee, Gina Haspel said the agency "never did" harsh interrogations before 9/11. She's wrong.
