Deception, Illusion, and Espionage: An Unlikely Recipe for Success | Jonna Mendez | TEDxFoggyBottom

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  • Опубликовано: 8 сен 2019
  • As the Former Chief of Disguise for the CIA, Jonna Mendez reveals the undertaking of creating identity transformations for US covert agents. With astonishing stories and pictures, she shares her experiences working in the CIA opposition effort against the KGB where she trained valuable assets in some of the least hospitable countries in the world.
    Jonna Mendez is a retired CIA intelligence officer with 27 years of service. During her career she lived overseas on multiple assignments, under cover, serving tours of duty in Europe, South Asia and the Far East. Her work took her throughout Western Europe, the sub-continent and Asia. Retiring in 1993, she had risen to the position of Chief of Disguise and the rank of GS-14 earning the CIA’s Intelligence Commendation Medal. As Chief of Disguise she was responsible for a worldwide staff that created identity transformations for both CIA officers and foreign assets working with the U.S. government. Since retiring from the CIA, Jonna has continued her career as a fine art photographer, a consultant/lecturer and an author. She and her husband, Antonio J. Mendez, have collaborated on a book about their work against the Soviets in Moscow during the last decade of the Cold War. The title of the book is Spy Dust. She also worked closely with her husband in the writing of ARGO. They have just finished their next book, The Moscow Rules, to be published in May 2019. Jonna is also a founding board member at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
    This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Комментарии • 182

  • @zehraoksoy1137
    @zehraoksoy1137 4 года назад +310

    She is a very smart,sharp,intelligent and a dignified lady. I enjoy her talk about her craft.Wish I could meet her in person.

    • @scottenosh4548
      @scottenosh4548 3 года назад +5

      Me too. Im trying to find as many videos as possible about her.

    • @krytcaustic
      @krytcaustic 3 года назад +3

      Bro me too I have found almost every video from her because she just makes my brain happy and her comment at the end is golden

    • @disopolo676
      @disopolo676 3 года назад

      I agree, she has very admirable qualities and very useful skills and knowledge. I would be very interested in meeting her and learning from her.

    • @sirboneofrath
      @sirboneofrath 3 года назад +5

      Maybe you have already but you just didn't know it...

    • @krytcaustic
      @krytcaustic 3 года назад

      @@sirboneofrath lol

  • @marlowemouse
    @marlowemouse Год назад +60

    If she was revealing this then, think about how far beyond our comprehension their disguise tech must be now

    • @stellaaa9977
      @stellaaa9977 9 месяцев назад +6

      Absolutely correct. This must be why Biden looks completely different than he used to

    • @thebyronicmann8292
      @thebyronicmann8292 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@stellaaa9977🎯👏

    • @slywolfd.9558
      @slywolfd.9558 День назад

      @@stellaaa9977 ya don't say... Glad you are waking up

  • @masamotox952
    @masamotox952 4 года назад +379

    Anyone from wired?

    • @krissy7342
      @krissy7342 4 года назад +14

      🙋🏻‍♀️

    • @lindahart6049
      @lindahart6049 3 года назад +1

      And from her I SPY podcast.

    • @jacksonurenmusic
      @jacksonurenmusic 2 года назад +2

      Yep! I saw that video a few years ago and remembered it yesterday, I’m now obsessed with her again!

    • @doctormoobbc
      @doctormoobbc Год назад +1

      Yes. They did a new video with her in 2023.

  • @AfroMyrdal
    @AfroMyrdal 6 месяцев назад +4

    Jonna Mendez is a national treasure, shes so good.

  • @Zoom_1012
    @Zoom_1012 Год назад +10

    I love Jonna Mendez. I could listen to her talk for hours!!! She's so fascinating.

  • @obadaodeh1625
    @obadaodeh1625 3 года назад +79

    It would be very impressive to hear from a former KGB agent about the same type of job they were doing to discover and rod-fish their american counterparts operating in moscow.

  • @AllAmericanGuy01
    @AllAmericanGuy01 3 года назад +80

    I was all smiles until she said she'll have to kill us if she told us. A part of me inside believed that.

    • @saileshnaidu8102
      @saileshnaidu8102 2 года назад

      Why wouldnt u? Every part of u should. This is the world of a spy. Ur life is worthless in the wake of thousands should such a situation arise. That's the only reason we got past wars and survived. Come on mate, this profession isnt for ballet dancers

    • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
      @user-vm5ud4xw6n Год назад +1

      Oh yeah! Definitely!

    • @glennwiebe5128
      @glennwiebe5128 9 месяцев назад +3

      And then she pulled her mask off...

  • @Sr79285
    @Sr79285 3 года назад +5

    Brilliant from start to finish!

  • @olivierm.1353
    @olivierm.1353 4 года назад +98

    So disappointed she didn't remove a mask at the end of the show !

  • @99977777
    @99977777 2 года назад +7

    She is awesome, explains very well.

  • @Curtchrisdagod
    @Curtchrisdagod 4 года назад +3

    Wow!

  • @arteblack13
    @arteblack13 4 года назад +3

    I'd love to see a conversation between her and Russel Targ.

  • @elleahl4943
    @elleahl4943 4 года назад +1

    I do!

  • @krissy7342
    @krissy7342 4 года назад +32

    She always puts herself down when she discusses the mask w Pres. Bush. I’m glad she didn’t in this talk!

  • @cecilybcoleman7836
    @cecilybcoleman7836 9 месяцев назад +1

    Real life, Michael Weston! This sounds like an episode of Burn Notice 🔥

  • @raviolipaw9015
    @raviolipaw9015 4 года назад +2

    Wow 👀

  • @roger_isaksson
    @roger_isaksson Год назад

    Brilliant. Sounds fun.
    🤣👍👍

  • @popejesus3851
    @popejesus3851 2 года назад +2

    She's awesome. I hope to meet her one day

  • @teijeiro74
    @teijeiro74 9 месяцев назад +2

    I wad expecting her to pull her mask off at the end. That would have been epic!!

  • @scottenosh4548
    @scottenosh4548 3 года назад +5

    Living in LA for 5 years, it's worth pointing out that the big-wigs of Hollywood have every sort of connection possible. Their most interesting connection is with the local taxi and Uber services. Actors and actresses (on a very regular basis) meet with expert make-up artists who disguise them so they can go out and about around town without being noticed at all. The only people who are aware of them are those who are driving them around town.....often times in 'clunkers' that could actually out-perform your $500k sports car (if it had to). Those were the good times.

  • @jamiefoyers2800
    @jamiefoyers2800 Год назад +3

    It's like "Now You see Me" in real life. Prior to the pandemic...everyone should've been seeing this talk really...behind the masks...Interesting talk this one.

  • @williammememan6002
    @williammememan6002 3 года назад +3

    I love her stories about Moscow

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад +1

    Value for the work is done is called a cost benefit analysis it's all in the paperwork as soon as you're done crapping yourself and doing your paperwork on that end of things hey I've got no more words

  • @kloschuessel773
    @kloschuessel773 4 года назад +33

    This talk about deception is a deception

    • @alwagner9722
      @alwagner9722 4 года назад +6

      Yes exactly.

    • @fancifulbread8040
      @fancifulbread8040 3 года назад +1

      I mean if you think that then frankly your falling into their trap

    • @axellancaster4571
      @axellancaster4571 3 года назад +1

      That's probably what they want you to think

    • @grantchallinor5263
      @grantchallinor5263 3 года назад

      Yes, absolutely. Jonna Mendez is a complete fraud - selling her fanciable stories to a gullible audience. Her "Moscow Rules" stories are just that: stories (complete fiction) made-up (no doubt to fatten-up her retirement.

    • @axellancaster4571
      @axellancaster4571 3 года назад +1

      @@grantchallinor5263 She was a CIA agent, not just an agent but was a chief. She can be a triple imposter or maybe more. So we can't decide what the true story is.

  • @arronjones689
    @arronjones689 10 месяцев назад +1

    What is the sub continent

  • @Alexander838
    @Alexander838 Год назад +1

    Hey guys I’m having fun 🤩

  • @pritiruparelia2080
    @pritiruparelia2080 9 месяцев назад +1

    What about voice? How do they change the voice to sound like the person being impersonated?

  • @justinr.116
    @justinr.116 3 года назад +7

    Her husband was the man from Argo!??!!! These two people are true badasses and heros

    • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
      @user-vm5ud4xw6n Год назад +1

      Don’t get too excited about them. If you read the story about Argo you will find out that the Canadians were more involved in helping then the Americans and were not given the credit they deserved.

  • @lennykoss8777
    @lennykoss8777 3 года назад +1

    💗💗💗💗💗

  • @egrojarom3846
    @egrojarom3846 3 года назад +12

    what a queen

  • @bretkershner6427
    @bretkershner6427 2 года назад +2

    Thanks, Jon, err I mean Jonna

  • @carlosdcardona5676
    @carlosdcardona5676 3 года назад +6

    WOW...90% of the action movies we watch this woman is like oh YEAH that's about me or her husband! She can say been there done that LITERALLY!!!!

  • @masamotox952
    @masamotox952 4 года назад +52

    Anyone feel like they could actually do this stuff now?

    • @horsegirlb7120
      @horsegirlb7120 4 года назад +8

      Uh, no? I don't have access to passable stage effects..

    • @jamesi4386
      @jamesi4386 3 года назад +2

      Yes.

  • @logan-cn2of
    @logan-cn2of 2 года назад +1

    this rhytm say, need a happy pill 🙂

  • @blanchiep
    @blanchiep 3 года назад +92

    I would swim in Covid infested waters to meet this woman even if it was for ten minutes

  • @mazey2896
    @mazey2896 4 года назад +21

    "Id have to kill you" this women *heart eyes*

  • @jacksondodgen7212
    @jacksondodgen7212 3 года назад +10

    I feel like this lady wouldn’t hesitate to kill or torture someone if she had to...

    • @spudsbuchlaw
      @spudsbuchlaw 3 года назад

      I mean.. why would she?

    • @captainamerica799
      @captainamerica799 Год назад

      These elite goverment intel trained to work like AI. They will do whatever it takes to finish whatever tf their task is, including torture, kill or both.

  • @VeenuM112
    @VeenuM112 Год назад +1

    Jack in the box 2020

  • @TruthSeekerRachel74
    @TruthSeekerRachel74 Год назад

    Talk about some dangerous technology.

  • @grommitmug1203
    @grommitmug1203 3 года назад +5

    I think it would be interesting if she met with a kgb officer who do the same thing as her. I wonder what they'll talk about....

  • @onurusta99
    @onurusta99 3 года назад +11

    It would be so cool if she took off a mask at the end.

    • @isobelmcarthur6761
      @isobelmcarthur6761 3 года назад

      All new tonight! Part two of Stephen Colbert’s epic interview with President Barack Obama!

  • @Mcoomer1019
    @Mcoomer1019 9 месяцев назад

    Q said we are watching a movie!

  • @miohno6052
    @miohno6052 2 года назад +1

    Is this a recruitment video? ”Uncle Brennan wants you!”

  • @sallybradshaw4576
    @sallybradshaw4576 3 года назад +5

    She's as cool as you think she is, and more besides!

    • @elliphos3687
      @elliphos3687 3 года назад

      Have you met her? :O

    • @sallybradshaw4576
      @sallybradshaw4576 3 года назад +1

      @@elliphos3687 No, I wish... We all think spies are cool, but it all seems too good to be true. Except she IS that cool, you know?

    • @elliphos3687
      @elliphos3687 3 года назад +1

      @@sallybradshaw4576 ohhh I see! I agree!!! She's super cool!!

    • @grantchallinor5263
      @grantchallinor5263 3 года назад

      Jonna Mendez is a complete fraud Sally - selling her fanciable stories to a gullible audience. Her "Moscow Rules" stories are just that: stories (complete fiction) made-up (no doubt to fatten-up her retirement)

    • @deltaqueen5704
      @deltaqueen5704 2 года назад

      @@grantchallinor5263 Why do you say that?

  • @digitalconsciousness
    @digitalconsciousness 3 года назад +2

    I wonder if they will ever justify growing clones of people. If they do it now, it's definitely behind closed doors.

  • @pedro97w
    @pedro97w 4 месяца назад +1

    Jonna Mendez signed the letter saying Hunter's laptop was Russian disinformation

  • @ikingsupreme7641
    @ikingsupreme7641 9 месяцев назад +4

    SHE HAS A MASK ON LOOK AT HER CHEST AND NECK👀👀👀

  • @TheSpaLife69
    @TheSpaLife69 2 года назад

    🇺🇸

  • @justdoit8014
    @justdoit8014 4 года назад +8

    it would be amazing to trick “someone” with double mask identity...

  • @gracerodgers8952
    @gracerodgers8952 Год назад

    Hey Jonna, ever pose as a Frau Hoffman in West Germany in the late 80s? Just wondering.

    • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
      @user-vm5ud4xw6n Год назад

      I think she was more the lady behind the scenes developing new ideas, looking for new ideas as she explained about magicians. Which is brilliant. I’ve heard her talks on YT before but this is the first time she has ever mentioned that. That is a great oiece of advice. Know your audience! Have to go back and listen to the other one. Got side tracked and didn’t pay attention.
      She’s right about Tom. He broke his Tib/Fib doing a stunt in the last Mission Impossible. Both the bones in his lower leg. There’s an online video of it!

  • @KNIGHTJUMPS
    @KNIGHTJUMPS 4 года назад +5

    I really enjoy the taste of refried beans. Don't you?

  • @dubjay3802
    @dubjay3802 Год назад +2

    "thats a man.....man!"

  • @charlesvire7517
    @charlesvire7517 Год назад +1

    I had no idea 🤷 what espionage was 😊because I don’t think 🤔 that way…
    Very easy for me to pick out the bad apples 🍎 we have embedded in our ranks.
    All these talents that are mentioned in this clip.
    Are survival tactics I had to learn to survive growing up…
    Can’t be taught in classrooms…

  • @saileshnaidu8102
    @saileshnaidu8102 2 года назад

    Ah yes, my dream

  • @Dannys.channel
    @Dannys.channel 2 года назад +1

    She’s also wearing a disguise all the time

  • @angelagracefoster1567
    @angelagracefoster1567 3 года назад +1

    *reads title*
    In 9 minutes???

  • @michaeljacksin9367
    @michaeljacksin9367 5 месяцев назад

    people died Linda also lemme into the OSS files I can handle it

  • @svt283
    @svt283 Год назад +2

    He can take her mask off now?

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    Jack in the box you've got to be kidding it should have been in and out burger

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    Last time I saw something fast I threw something out for my dogs I mean my dog pretty good dog this Belgian malinois out

  • @farmdaddio
    @farmdaddio 9 месяцев назад

    She was wearing a mask.

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw out on RUclips and that Tony guy really I don't think these people even actually exist although I can't confirm or deny it

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    Wiggum

  • @Sayonara301
    @Sayonara301 4 года назад +2

    deception, illusion, espionage and proud of being munafiq!

  • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
    @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 2 года назад

    ...

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 2 года назад

      ... this is part of the Australian Constitution ....
      Chapter 1: The Parliament: Part V: Powers of the Parliament.
      Section 51 "... subject to this Constitution, ... to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth ... "; and,
      (xxiiiA) "... medical ... (but not so as to authorize any form of civil conscription)"
      (Australian Parliament House, website)
      and,
      ... this is part of the Australian Constitution ....
      Chapter V: The States
      Section 116 ("Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion")
      "The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth."
      (Australian Parliament House, website)

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    Did the Soviet asset say daswidanya b****

  • @dicklimerick7
    @dicklimerick7 Год назад +2

    Lol...could be wearing a disguise...and is Jonna Mendez "her" real name?

  • @leiajiang7877
    @leiajiang7877 3 года назад +4

    She keeps repeating the same things because everything else is probably still classified.

  • @morriganbonegardener500
    @morriganbonegardener500 6 месяцев назад

    was waiting for her to peel off her face and be someone completely different

  • @the_s3cr3t
    @the_s3cr3t Год назад

    Who thinks she is wearing a mask right now 😮

  • @TheDirector_
    @TheDirector_ 9 месяцев назад

    Simpson lol

  • @NextSan999
    @NextSan999 9 месяцев назад +1

    It would've been great if at the end she takes off a mask and revealed she's been fooling the audience the whole time.

  • @jobri626
    @jobri626 3 года назад

    Gta5

  • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
    @user-vm5ud4xw6n Год назад

    I wonder if there is any more famous and well used line by anyone anywhere then Maverick’s line “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you!”?

  • @jamiemiller5616
    @jamiemiller5616 3 года назад +1

    Is this not giving secrets away??

    • @kittyNya38
      @kittyNya38 3 года назад +6

      It’s been unclassified.

    • @katcyer26
      @katcyer26 3 года назад +2

      Technology has come way farther than it was then.
      That stuff doesn't matter this far in the future...
      Imagine the tech that exists now 😳

  • @JuliaClark
    @JuliaClark Год назад +2

    You people are sick.

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713
    @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713 2 года назад

    You should check out the local police department and have them turn right the f*** around and take a left

  • @davidthomas-ot4cl
    @davidthomas-ot4cl 2 года назад

    She's the female Tom Cruise! Or is she is? Maybe she's in disguise and is really a man!

  • @iOWNyouFOOLaskYOmama
    @iOWNyouFOOLaskYOmama 3 года назад +2

    She's a liar!

  • @Dannys.channel
    @Dannys.channel 2 года назад +4

    She’s also a man

  • @miohno6052
    @miohno6052 2 года назад

    I believe this is actually a man. Note there is no rack.

  • @drnoalcohol
    @drnoalcohol 2 года назад

    No offence, but is it just me thinking this or her gender at birth was male?

  • @paulcompinski3893
    @paulcompinski3893 9 месяцев назад

    Now we know why they chose Joe Biden

  • @isobelmcarthur6761
    @isobelmcarthur6761 3 года назад +5

    Anyone from wired?

  • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
    @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 2 года назад

    ...

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 2 года назад

      ThisThis keeps being deleted here:

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 2 года назад

      ... this is part of the Australian Constitution ....
      Chapter 1: The Parliament: Part V: Powers of the Parliament.
      Section 51 "... subject to this Constitution, ... to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth ... "; and,
      (xxiiiA) "... medical ... (but not so as to authorize any form of civil conscription)"
      (Australian Parliament House, website)
      and,
      ... this is part of the Australian Constitution ....
      Chapter V: The States
      Section 116 ("Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion")
      "The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth."
      (Australian Parliament House, website)