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

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

[@marlowemouse]

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

[@stellaaa9977]

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

[@thebyronicmann8292]

@@stellaaa9977🎯👏

[@zehraoksoy1137]

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]

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

[@krytcaustic]

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]

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]

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

[@krytcaustic]

@@sirboneofrath lol

[@masamotox952]

Anyone from wired?

[@krissy7342]

🙋🏻‍♀️

[@lindahart6049]

And from her I SPY podcast.

[@jacksonurenmusic]

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

[@doctormoobbc]

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

[@AfroMyrdal]

Jonna Mendez is a national treasure, shes so good.

[@Zoom_1012]

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

[@obadaodeh1625]

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.

[@jakewatson668]

Thats a really good idea

[@TheSpaLife69]

Whrrr isss ittt

[@Hopscotch_24]

Great idea!!!

[@dunwundering835]

KGB CIA Mossad all at the Vatican Desk..

[@AllAmericanGuy01]

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]

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]

Oh yeah! Definitely!

[@glennwiebe5128]

And then she pulled her mask off...

[@olivierm.1353]

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

[@jacksonurenmusic]

@@ContentConfessional lol

[@secondhandwildflowers2315]

She wouldn’t give up her actual identity lol

[@BTtrain]

exactly

[@andrewryan8533]

Honestly that would have been rad

[@Sr79285]

Brilliant from start to finish!

[@arteblack13]

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

[@99977777]

She is awesome, explains very well.

[@Curtchrisdagod]

Wow!

[@krissy7342]

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

[@roger_isaksson]

Brilliant. Sounds fun. 🤣👍👍

[@cecilybcoleman7836]

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

[@elleahl4943]

I do!

[@kloschuessel773]

This talk about deception is a deception

[@alwagner9722]

Yes exactly.

[@fancifulbread8040]

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

[@axellancaster4571]

That's probably what they want you to think

[@grantchallinor5263]

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]

@@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.

[@jamiefoyers2800]

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.

[@popejesus3851]

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

[@raviolipaw9015]

Wow 👀

[@teijeiro74]

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

[@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

[@masamotox952]

Anyone feel like they could actually do this stuff now?

[@horsegirlb7120]

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

[@jamesi4386]

Yes.

[@scottenosh4548]

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.

[@justinr.116]

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

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

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.

[@williammememan6002]

I love her stories about Moscow

[@blanchiep]

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

[@krytcaustic]

I can't get covid so I would as well

[@pastelpepe]

@@krytcaustic lol yes you can

[@superexpertgamerkiller9477]

Bro out here afraid of covid 😂

[@BrockOhhhh]

And you'd be just fine.

[@caslitt3435]

You’re probably a Democrat nut job.

[@egrojarom3846]

what a queen

[@bretkershner6427]

She's clearly a guy

[@egrojarom3846]

@@bretkershner6427 excuse me?

[@logan-cn2of]

this rhytm say, need a happy pill 🙂

[@pritiruparelia2080]

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

[@bretkershner6427]

Thanks, Jon, err I mean Jonna

[@carlosdcardona5676]

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!!!!

[@jacksondodgen7212]

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

[@spudsbuchlaw]

I mean.. why would she?

[@captainamerica799]

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.

[@Mcoomer1019]

Q said we are watching a movie!

[@arronjones689]

What is the sub continent

[@Alexander838]

Hey guys I’m having fun 🤩

[@lennykoss8777]

💗💗💗💗💗

[@TruthSeekerRachel74]

Talk about some dangerous technology.

[@onurusta99]

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

[@isobelmcarthur6761]

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

[@VeenuM112]

Jack in the box 2020

[@mazey2896]

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

[@grommitmug1203]

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....

[@sallybradshaw4576]

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

[@elliphos3687]

Have you met her? :O

[@sallybradshaw4576]

@@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]

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

[@grantchallinor5263]

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]

@@grantchallinor5263 Why do you say that?

[@miohno6052]

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

[@gracerodgers8952]

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

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

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!

[@digitalconsciousness]

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

[@TheSpaLife69]

🇺🇸

[@justdoit8014]

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

[@KNIGHTJUMPS]

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

[@sadman4291]

KNIGHT JUMPS not really. Beans taste bad

[@Defne-ll5os]

beans give me diarhoea

[@AllAmericanGuy01]

No.

[@angelagracefoster1567]

*reads title* In 9 minutes???

[@saileshnaidu8102]

Ah yes, my dream

[@pedro97w]

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

[@Dannys.channel]

She’s also wearing a disguise all the time

[@dubjay3802]

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

[@ikingsupreme7641]

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

[@michaeljacksin9367]

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

[@svt283]

He can take her mask off now?

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

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

[@charlesvire7517]

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

[@farmdaddio]

She was wearing a mask.

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

Wiggum

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

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

[@NextSan999]

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.

[@dicklimerick7]

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

[@eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807]

...

[@eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807]

... 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)

[@Sayonara301]

deception, illusion, espionage and proud of being munafiq!

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

Did the Soviet asset say daswidanya b****

[@leiajiang7877]

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

[@TheDirector_]

Simpson lol

[@morriganbonegardener500]

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

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

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]

Is this not giving secrets away??

[@kittyNya38]

It’s been unclassified.

[@katcyer26]

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 😳

[@the_s3cr3t]

Who thinks she is wearing a mask right now 😮

[@roarkm.o.banjonjeffries3713]

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

[@jobri626]

Gta5

[@iOWNyouFOOLaskYOmama]

She's a liar!

[@frankwilliamk3769]

evetrybody is

[@jjp.8690]

The cia makes a living out of lies

[@JuliaClark]

You people are sick.

[@davidthomas-ot4cl]

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

[@Dannys.channel]

She’s also a man

[@miohno6052]

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

[@drnoalcohol]

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

[@paulcompinski3893]

Now we know why they chose Joe Biden

[@isobelmcarthur6761]

Anyone from wired?

[@eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807]

...

[@eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807]

ThisThis keeps being deleted here:

[@eleonoraformatoneeszczepan8807]

... 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)