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

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  • čas přidán 8. 09. 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

Komentáře • 209

  • @marlowemouse
    @marlowemouse Před rokem +74

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

    • @stellaaa9977
      @stellaaa9977 Před 10 měsíci +8

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

    • @thebyronicmann8292
      @thebyronicmann8292 Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@stellaaa9977🎯👏

    • @slywolfd.9558
      @slywolfd.9558 Před 23 dny

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

    • @WillBlindYouWithLight
      @WillBlindYouWithLight Před 39 minutami

      Exactly. It's freakin scary AF

    • @WillBlindYouWithLight
      @WillBlindYouWithLight Před 39 minutami

      ​@@stellaaa9977 yeah and cloning and stuff too.. it is so crazy I won't be surprised if he wasn't still alive

  • @zehraoksoy1137
    @zehraoksoy1137 Před 4 lety +311

    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 Před 3 lety +5

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

    • @krytcaustic
      @krytcaustic Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety

      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 Před 3 lety +5

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

    • @krytcaustic
      @krytcaustic Před 3 lety

      @@sirboneofrath lol

  • @masamotox952
    @masamotox952 Před 4 lety +382

    Anyone from wired?

    • @krissy7342
      @krissy7342 Před 4 lety +14

      🙋🏻‍♀️

    • @lindahart6049
      @lindahart6049 Před 3 lety +1

      And from her I SPY podcast.

    • @jacksonurenmusic
      @jacksonurenmusic Před 2 lety +2

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

    • @doctormoobbc
      @doctormoobbc Před rokem +1

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

  • @AfroMyrdal
    @AfroMyrdal Před 6 měsíci +6

    Jonna Mendez is a national treasure, shes so good.

  • @olivierm.1353
    @olivierm.1353 Před 4 lety +115

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

  • @Zoom_1012
    @Zoom_1012 Před rokem +13

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

  • @obadaodeh1625
    @obadaodeh1625 Před 3 lety +83

    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 Před 3 lety +86

    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 Před 2 lety

      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 Před rokem +2

      Oh yeah! Definitely!

    • @glennwiebe5128
      @glennwiebe5128 Před 10 měsíci +5

      And then she pulled her mask off...

    • @GallowayJesse
      @GallowayJesse Před 2 dny

      ​@@glennwiebe5128 I thought it
      you typed it

  • @Knonyobiz
    @Knonyobiz Před 5 dny +1

    This explains EVERYTHING

  • @krissy7342
    @krissy7342 Před 4 lety +35

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

  • @kloschuessel773
    @kloschuessel773 Před 4 lety +41

    This talk about deception is a deception

    • @alwagner9722
      @alwagner9722 Před 4 lety +6

      Yes exactly.

    • @fancifulbread8040
      @fancifulbread8040 Před 3 lety +1

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

    • @axellancaster4571
      @axellancaster4571 Před 3 lety +2

      That's probably what they want you to think

    • @grantchallinor5263
      @grantchallinor5263 Před 3 lety

      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 Před 3 lety +2

      @@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.

  • @Sr79285
    @Sr79285 Před 3 lety +5

    Brilliant from start to finish!

  • @teijeiro74
    @teijeiro74 Před 10 měsíci +3

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

  • @99977777
    @99977777 Před 2 lety +7

    She is awesome, explains very well.

  • @jamiefoyers2800
    @jamiefoyers2800 Před rokem +4

    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.

  • @arteblack13
    @arteblack13 Před 4 lety +3

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

  • @Curtchrisdagod
    @Curtchrisdagod Před 4 lety +3

    Wow!

  • @elleahl4943
    @elleahl4943 Před 4 lety +1

    I do!

  • @toutloffc1
    @toutloffc1 Před 15 dny +14

    This explains Joe Biden.

    • @GallowayJesse
      @GallowayJesse Před 2 dny +1

      100%

    • @Ryan-yi6su
      @Ryan-yi6su Před dnem +1

      ​@@GallowayJesse
      Want to see something nuts??
      Look at pictures of Joe Biden when he was younger.
      On Google image look for pictures that are he's looking left or right.
      Now look at pictures around 2022 including up to last night's debate
      There's a pretty big difference
      Something's completely different.
      It's small but you can notice it.
      His earlobes they went from being unattached to being attached.
      Maybe it's possible. Maybe it's not.
      Could it be a mask maybe?

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

    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

  • @scottenosh4548
    @scottenosh4548 Před 3 lety +6

    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.

  • @jacksondodgen7212
    @jacksondodgen7212 Před 3 lety +11

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

    • @spudsbuchlaw
      @spudsbuchlaw Před 3 lety

      I mean.. why would she?

    • @captainamerica799
      @captainamerica799 Před rokem

      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.

  • @popejesus3851
    @popejesus3851 Před 2 lety +2

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

  • @justinr.116
    @justinr.116 Před 3 lety +8

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

    • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
      @user-vm5ud4xw6n Před rokem +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.

  • @cecilybcoleman7836
    @cecilybcoleman7836 Před 10 měsíci +1

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

  • @raviolipaw9015
    @raviolipaw9015 Před 4 lety +3

    Wow 👀

  • @masamotox952
    @masamotox952 Před 4 lety +53

    Anyone feel like they could actually do this stuff now?

    • @horsegirlb7120
      @horsegirlb7120 Před 4 lety +8

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

    • @jamesi4386
      @jamesi4386 Před 4 lety +2

      Yes.

    • @WillBlindYouWithLight
      @WillBlindYouWithLight Před 29 minutami

      Oh yes! It's very much more advanced these days or she wouldn't be able to share about it..

  • @williammememan6002
    @williammememan6002 Před 3 lety +3

    I love her stories about Moscow

  • @Alexander838
    @Alexander838 Před rokem +1

    Hey guys I’m having fun 🤩

  • @egrojarom3846
    @egrojarom3846 Před 3 lety +12

    what a queen

  • @DRETHELUCIDDREAMER144
    @DRETHELUCIDDREAMER144 Před 10 měsíci +6

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

  • @dustinbrownsongs
    @dustinbrownsongs Před 9 dny +1

    The making light of CIA murders at the end was so creepy while the audience was laughing and clapping.. shwew..

    • @OakwiseBecoming
      @OakwiseBecoming Před 2 dny +1

      Happens every single day and always has since the beginning of time.

  • @carlosdcardona5676
    @carlosdcardona5676 Před 3 lety +7

    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!!!!

  • @bretkershner6427
    @bretkershner6427 Před 2 lety +2

    Thanks, Jon, err I mean Jonna

  • @blanchiep
    @blanchiep Před 3 lety +92

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

  • @onurusta99
    @onurusta99 Před 3 lety +11

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

    • @isobelmcarthur6761
      @isobelmcarthur6761 Před 3 lety

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

  • @TruthSeekerRachel74
    @TruthSeekerRachel74 Před rokem +1

    Talk about some dangerous technology.

  • @sallybradshaw4576
    @sallybradshaw4576 Před 3 lety +5

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

    • @elliphos3687
      @elliphos3687 Před 3 lety

      Have you met her? :O

    • @sallybradshaw4576
      @sallybradshaw4576 Před 3 lety +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 Před 3 lety +1

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

    • @grantchallinor5263
      @grantchallinor5263 Před 3 lety

      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 Před 2 lety

      @@grantchallinor5263 Why do you say that?

  • @davidsobilo9622
    @davidsobilo9622 Před 6 dny

    Patrick bet David valuetainment

  • @logan-cn2of
    @logan-cn2of Před 2 lety +1

    this rhytm say, need a happy pill 🙂

  • @grommitmug1203
    @grommitmug1203 Před 3 lety +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....

  • @mazey2896
    @mazey2896 Před 4 lety +21

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

  • @pedro97w
    @pedro97w Před 4 měsíci +8

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

  • @lennykoss8777
    @lennykoss8777 Před 3 lety +1

    💗💗💗💗💗

  • @VeenuM112
    @VeenuM112 Před rokem +1

    Jack in the box 2020

  • @digitalconsciousness
    @digitalconsciousness Před 3 lety +4

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

  • @thezquad
    @thezquad Před 16 dny +4

    So this is how they get biden to look coherent.

  • @pritiruparelia2080
    @pritiruparelia2080 Před 10 měsíci +4

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

    • @ecpasos
      @ecpasos Před 2 dny

      AI

    • @WillBlindYouWithLight
      @WillBlindYouWithLight Před 28 minutami

      Voice changers man come on

    • @WillBlindYouWithLight
      @WillBlindYouWithLight Před 28 minutami

      Voice changers are also extremely more advanced these days people can call you even on a computer or have it on their person. It will still be realistic.

  • @esotericsurveillance
    @esotericsurveillance Před 8 dny

    Mission Impossible

  • @justdoit8014
    @justdoit8014 Před 4 lety +8

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

  • @Dannys.channel
    @Dannys.channel Před 2 lety +2

    She’s also wearing a disguise all the time

  • @miohno6052
    @miohno6052 Před 2 lety +1

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

  • @gracerodgers8952
    @gracerodgers8952 Před rokem +1

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

    • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
      @user-vm5ud4xw6n Před rokem +1

      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 Před 4 lety +5

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

  • @farmdaddio
    @farmdaddio Před 10 měsíci +1

    She was wearing a mask.

  • @michaeljacksin9367
    @michaeljacksin9367 Před 5 měsíci +1

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

  • @Mcoomer1019
    @Mcoomer1019 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Q said we are watching a movie!

  • @dubjay3802
    @dubjay3802 Před rokem +2

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

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

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

  • @TheSpaLife69
    @TheSpaLife69 Před 2 lety

    🇺🇸

  • @arronjones689
    @arronjones689 Před 10 měsíci +1

    What is the sub continent

  • @svt283
    @svt283 Před rokem +2

    He can take her mask off now?

  • @saileshnaidu8102
    @saileshnaidu8102 Před 2 lety

    Ah yes, my dream

  • @angelagracefoster1567
    @angelagracefoster1567 Před 3 lety +1

    *reads title*
    In 9 minutes???

  • @charlesvire7517
    @charlesvire7517 Před rokem +2

    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…

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

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

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

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

  • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807

    ...

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 Před 2 lety

      ... 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)

  • @morriganbonegardener500
    @morriganbonegardener500 Před 7 měsíci +1

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

  • @dicklimerick7
    @dicklimerick7 Před rokem +2

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

  • @Sayonara301
    @Sayonara301 Před 4 lety +2

    deception, illusion, espionage and proud of being munafiq!

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

    Wiggum

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

    Did the Soviet asset say daswidanya b****

  • @leiajiang7877
    @leiajiang7877 Před 3 lety +4

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

  • @the_s3cr3t
    @the_s3cr3t Před rokem

    Who thinks she is wearing a mask right now 😮

  • @NextSan999
    @NextSan999 Před 10 měsíci +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.

  • @jamiemiller5616
    @jamiemiller5616 Před 3 lety +1

    Is this not giving secrets away??

    • @kittyNya38
      @kittyNya38 Před 3 lety +6

      It’s been unclassified.

    • @katcyer26
      @katcyer26 Před 3 lety +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 😳

  • @TheDirector_
    @TheDirector_ Před 10 měsíci

    Simpson lol

  • @jobri626
    @jobri626 Před 3 lety

    Gta5

  • @craigk621
    @craigk621 Před 6 dny

    What would be cool would be if at the end she pulled off her mask 😉

  • @JuliaClark
    @JuliaClark Před rokem +2

    You people are sick.

  • @iOWNyouFOOLaskYOmama
    @iOWNyouFOOLaskYOmama Před 3 lety +2

    She's a liar!

  • @user-vm5ud4xw6n
    @user-vm5ud4xw6n Před rokem

    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!”?

  • @davidthomas-ot4cl
    @davidthomas-ot4cl Před 2 lety

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

  • @roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713

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

  • @Dannys.channel
    @Dannys.channel Před 2 lety +4

    She’s also a man

  • @Warrantone1
    @Warrantone1 Před 6 dny

    Biden

  • @miohno6052
    @miohno6052 Před 2 lety

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

  • @drnoalcohol
    @drnoalcohol Před 2 lety

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

  • @paulcompinski3893
    @paulcompinski3893 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Now we know why they chose Joe Biden

  • @isobelmcarthur6761
    @isobelmcarthur6761 Před 3 lety +5

    Anyone from wired?

  • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807

    ...

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 Před 2 lety

      ThisThis keeps being deleted here:

    • @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807
      @eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807 Před 2 lety

      ... 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)