On May 15, former US Intelligence officer Dr. Elizabeth Manak came to St. Mary’s International School to host a Q&A session regarding the field of security, diplomacy, and politics. Dr. Manak explained that she was an analyst for the a US government international security agency. She worked to understand more about other countries, and to provide the president of the US information on important matters. During her 30 year career, she held many positions— an analyst, then in the National Intelligence Council (NIC), then as a Deputy Intelligence Officer for three years, then back overseas as an analyst.
When asked a question on the difference between inteligence work, and the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI), she replied humorously that the “FBI enforces laws, inteligence agencies break them.” Moreover, she further stated that her work is more diplomatic, less concerned with serving the public directly. “At our agency we write[intelligence reports] focusing on what the president needs to know for his or her agenda.”
To qualify as an intelligence officer, Dr. Manak stated that one must pass background checks and have be a US citizen. Regarding the recently elected Trump administration, Dr. Manak expressed that the agency’s morale is currently low likely due to friction between the professional ethics of many career employees and the goals of the current administration. To cite an example, She explained that a colleague was recently fired from the CIA for stating, contrary to the wishes of the administration, that “Venezuela is not sending immigrants to the US to cause terrorism.”
Despite the challenges, Dr.. Manak encouraged the students to pursue careers in government service.
