Daniel N. Hoffman

Daniel N. Hoffman is a retired clandestine services officer and former chief of station with the Central Intelligence Agency. His combined 30 years of government service included high-level overseas and domestic positions at the CIA. He has been a Fox News contributor since May 2018. He can be reached at danielhoffman@yahoo.com.

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Columns by Daniel N. Hoffman

Debt in the United States of America illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Congress must pay for additional Iran war funding and not charge it to the next generation

Last month, the Pentagon asked for an additional $200 billion in funding for the war in Iran. The White House is on the hook to review this sizable request -- more than 20% of the yearly Department of Defense budget -- and submit it to Congress. Published April 2, 2026

The United States of America's war with Iran illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

‘Mowing the grass’ in Iran risks an endless cycle of war

I first heard the phrase "mowing the grass" years ago in Tel Aviv during a meeting with Israeli intelligence officers. Published March 19, 2026

The European Union protecting Ukraine from Russia illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Europe must invest more in Ukraine

Last month, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson encouraged Europe to send noncombat troops to Ukraine. Published March 5, 2026

Helping protesters in Iran illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Trump’s Iran challenge: Deal or destruction

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has no shortage of wickedly complex threats to U.S. national security. Published February 19, 2026

China polysilicon and semiconductor chip dominance illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

China polysilicon dominance threatens U.S. military edge

The extraordinary U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of dictator Nicolas Maduro would not have been possible without U.S. technological superiority over China. Published February 5, 2026

Former CIA agent Aldrich Ames leaves federal court after pleading guilty to espionage and tax evasion conspiracy charges April 28, 1994, in Alexandria, Va. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

U.S. intelligence learned hard lessons from Ames’ treachery

Earlier this month, around the time the U.S. military was rendering Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to justice, convicted spy Aldrich "Rick" Ames was taking his last breaths in a federal prison. Published January 22, 2026

Putin's blame game on Ukraine illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Putin holds out for domination

I'll never forget the most unexpected conversation I had with my uncle Fred back in December 2006 after I returned from Iraq. Published January 8, 2026

Remembering U.S. intelligence officers killed by terrorism illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Remembering U.S. intelligence officers taken by terrorism

On Dec. 30, 2009, I was in Moscow when jihadi website writer Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi blew himself up in a suicide attack on the Americans serving on a U.S. base in Khost, Afghanistan. Published December 25, 2025

China, Russia and the United States of America and the Ukraine war illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

How Trump can exploit the China-Russia fissure

While engaging in shuttle diplomacy to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Trump administration should grapple with the significance of the moment relative to China's new cold war on us and our allies. Published December 11, 2025

Thanksgiving in the United States of America illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Thanksgiving, a time for gratitude

A few weeks ago, my older son was working tirelessly on what for him was a challenging high school English assignment, which required him to write about a meaningful moment in his life. Published November 27, 2025

Illustration on Afghanistan terrorists by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Terrorist networks find haven again in Afghanistan

During one of my headquarters assignments at the CIA, I was responsible for briefing the director every morning on the latest sensitive developments worldwide. Published November 13, 2025

Roles of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Halloween-worthy disguises have long been critical arrows in the CIA quiver

My late wife, Kim, always made Halloween an especially joyful holiday for our family, using the accomplished hair and makeup skills she honed while working as a CIA disguise technician. Published October 30, 2025

Russia, Putin and the Ukraine Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Show Putin his Ukraine strategy is failing

On May 1, 2011, I had a front row seat in the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, tracking U.S. SEAL Team operators who were delivering justice to Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Published October 16, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the carrot or the stick illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Needed: A peace plan that doesn’t reward Putin

A peace settlement negotiated without rewarding Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's imperial land grab would not only guarantee Ukraine's independence but also ensure we protect Europe. Published October 2, 2025

Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping and China's new world order illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Republicans, Democrats can unite in standing up to China’s new world order

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing earlier this month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping choreographed the dance of the world's most nefarious dictators. Published September 18, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Putin breathes deception and manipulation

Going back to the days of the Soviet KGB, Russian intelligence officers have ruthlessly trained their sites on assessing and evaluating their adversaries. Published September 4, 2025

Joe Piscopo (Photo: Business Wire)

The curative power of laughter

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, I received an unexpected call from Joe Sibilia, who produces the morning radio show for former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Joe Piscopo. Published August 29, 2025

Palestine, Hamas and Israel illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

U.S. pivot in Iraq offers lesson for Israel in Gaza

I'll never forget the day I first arrived in Iraq in the autumn of 2006. The country was in turmoil, and the George W. Bush administration was dramatically shifting its failing strategy. Published August 21, 2025

Fatherhood illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Father’s Day lessons for life

This year on Father's Day, I joined a slew of parents cheering on our sons in an end-of-season soccer tournament. Published August 7, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

America’s main enemy is Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been at war with Ukraine since 2014. He has been at war with democracy his entire life. Published July 22, 2025