Skip to main content

Johns Hopkins UniversityEst. 1876

America’s First Research University

Inside Intelligence Presents "The Art of the Spy Novel"

Oct 15, 2025
12 - 1pm EDT
Online
Registration is required
This event is free

Who can attend?

  • General public
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students

Contact

MS in Intelligence Analysis

Description

Join MS in Intelligence Analysis Program Director Michael Ard as he hosts national security consultant and novelist Jim Lawler who is currently working on his third espionage novel, The Traitor's Tale, which examines treachery and treason deep within the CIA. Lawler's first novel, Living Lies (2021), an espionage story of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, was listed in December 2022 by Spyscape as number 38 on its list of the 50 best spy novels ever written. His second novel, In the Twinkling of an Eye, was published in April 2022 and chronicles the recruiting of a spy at the heart of a devastating covert Russian-North Korean genetic bioweapons program.

Lawler is the senior advisor to Brasidas Group, a global corporate intelligence and risk advisory firm, and to Alpha 506, a global network of trained intelligence and special forces operators. He is also the senior partner at MDO Group, which provides HUMINT training focused on WMD, CI, technical and cyber issues. He is a noted speaker on the topic of Insider Threats. Lawler boasts a decorated 25-year CIA career, serving in various international posts and leading the Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit. Notably, as chief of one of the highly impactful takedown teams, he received the CIA's Trailblazer Award in 2007 for disrupting one of the most dangerous nuclear weapons networks in history.

Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Programs committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all participants. To request additional accessibility for this event, please email aapevents@jhu.edu. Zoom meetings and webinars automatically provide live captioning.

Who can attend?

  • General public
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Students

Registration

Registration is required

Please register in advance

Contact

MS in Intelligence Analysis