Vaseem Khan

1 month ago | vaseemkhan.com | Vaseem Khan

Dear colleagues,I was recently required to attend a special oversight committee where the subject under discussion was the ongoing ‘licence to kill’ enjoyed by MI6’s Double O section. Given that we here at Q Branch serve as chief armourers to the Double Os, my presence was considered expedient. It seems that some are querying the right of our field agents to prosecute their orders with extreme prejudice.

2 months ago | vaseemkhan.com | Vaseem Khan

Dear colleagues,I begin with a David Bowie reference, but the topic of this memo is deadly serious. Last week I was invited to a behind-closed-doors symposium examining the future of mind control techniques. Here at Q branch we are, of course, familiar with this nefarious brand of pseudo-science. It has always been the goal of military and intelligence agencies to exert influence over our enemies, by fair means or foul.

Mar 14, 2025 | vaseemkhan.com | Vaseem Khan

Dear colleagues,Patriotism. Here in the security services it is taken as given that we stand for something greater than ourselves. Call it a love of King and Country or a set of values that enshrine our democratic ideals. But where does such belief come from? How do we hold on to it as the very concept becomes ever more politically charged? When I was young, I spent a lot of time in the library. No surprises there. It was here that I first came across a copy of Nelson by Richard Hough.

Feb 13, 2025 | vaseemkhan.com | Vaseem Khan

Dear colleagues,It has come to my attention that the coffee machine in the Q Branch kitchen has once again broken down. It beggars belief that a division renowned for its prowess at invention cannot persuade such a simple device to a) remain operational for longer than five minutes and b) dispense a cup of coffee that does not taste of boiled socks. Following my last run-in with the machine’s maintenance personnel, I am no longer permitted to negotiate this situation on our behalf.

Jan 18, 2025 | vaseemkhan.com | Vaseem Khan

Dear colleagues,The start of a new year. A time for resolutions. Including several dictated to us from on high. It won’t have escaped your notice that the recent Spending Review has left Q Branch leaner, greener, and, decidedly, meaner. It has further been suggested that we “foster a culture where EQ – Emotional Quotient – and not merely IQ – is employed as a metric of success.” I recently discussed this with M.