Reporting Intelligence - with Warren Strobel and Brett Forrest of the Wall Street Journal

Career Start

Warren Strobel and Brett Forrest share their unique paths to intelligence reporting. Warren's interest stemmed from his upbringing as a navy brat, leading to a lifelong fascination with foreign affairs and national security 1. Brett's journey was more serendipitous, sparked by his time living and reporting in Russia 1. He recalls the thrill of his first byline at the Wall Street Journal, emphasizing the publication's global respect and the access it provides 2.

Working at the Wall Street Journal helps open doors, but it doesn't get you the answers.

--- Warren Strobel

   

Milestones

Significant milestones in their careers include uncovering intelligence failures and exposing corruption in sports. Warren reflects on the foundational work of investigating the intelligence failures leading up to the Iraq War 3. Brett shares his experience of uncovering global match-fixing in soccer, a story that even inspired an episode of The Simpsons 4.

We do both. We're like both case officers in the sense that we meet, develop, recruit sources, spot and assess.

--- Warren Strobel

   

Field Work

Field experiences have profoundly shaped their careers. Brett recounts being the first reporter into Bucha after Russia's military withdrawal, witnessing the atrocities firsthand 5. He also shares an unexpected encounter with a potential Russian operative in New York, highlighting the constant risks and surprises in their line of work 6.

I had an inkling that something had happened there, something important.

--- Brett Forrest