Do This If You’re Being Followed | Former CIA Officer John Kiriakou

About this video

• Video Title: Do This If You’re Being Followed | Former CIA Officer John Kiriakou
• Channel: Dalton Fischer Podcast
• Speakers: John Kiriakou, Dalton Fischer
• Duration: 00:11:37

Overview

This video features former CIA officer John Kiriakou explaining the concept and execution of a Surveillance Detection Route (SDR), a method used to determine if one is being followed. He details the steps involved, common tactics used by surveillance teams, and provides personal anecdotes from his career to illustrate the importance of these procedures, especially in high-threat environments.

Key takeaways

• Surveillance Detection Route (SDR): An SDR is a planned route with a plausible reason for travel, designed to identify if someone is under surveillance. It involves starting at a "kickoff point" and making it appear as though normal errands are being run.
• SDR Tactics: An SDR typically involves driving on "red roads" (busy roads where surveillance is hard to detect) to a legitimate errand stop (e.g., dry cleaners, wine shop), then cutting through "black roads" (less traveled neighborhood streets) to see if anyone from the red road is following.
• Provocative Moves: To confirm surveillance, a "provocative move" is employed, which involves driving in a manner that normal individuals wouldn't, such as a series of right and left turns mimicking stairs. If followed, this unusual pattern is likely to be noticed by surveillance.
• Vetting Agents: SDRs are also used to vet agents to ensure they are conducting operations as reported. An anecdote is shared about an older agent who performed an overly "provocative" SDR, highlighting the need for careful execution.
• High-Threat Environments: In places like China or Russia, SDRs are longer (up to 8 hours) and more sophisticated due to the use of advanced surveillance technology like infrared cameras and helicopters. Aborting a meeting and rerunning the SDR is necessary if surveillance is confirmed.
• Sophistication of Surveillance: Surveillance teams may use tactics like switching license plates, disguises, or even switching to foot or public transport to maintain a tail. In high-risk areas, switching vehicles in parking garages is also employed.
• Consequences of Poor SDR: An example is given of an officer who became "lazy" with his SDR, driving an unnecessarily long route to a TGI Friday's and back, which was flagged by counterintelligence and resulted in a reprimand.