Bio: Larry C. Johnson

Larry C. Johnson is a former CIA officer and intelligence analyst, and former planner and advisor at the US State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism. As an independent contractor, he has provided training for the US Military’s Special Operations community for 24 years.

Since its founding in 1998, Larry has been managing partner of BERG (Business Exposure Reduction Group) Associates LLC, which specializes in investigating money laundering and counterfeit products, as well as providing financial analysis and counter terror strategy.

Larry was a frequent guest on all major US networks from the 1990s to the late 2000s, but made the “mistake” of consistently offering candid insights and honest assessments, without deferring to establishment bias. As waging “Forever Wars” became the singular policy objective of 90% of the nation’s elected officials, and of the entire media, those voices offering independent and unbiased analysis were relegated to the wilderness, Larry’s along with them.

Vilified by the establishment right, left and center, Larry must be doing something right. His take on global security, intelligence and geopolitics is regularly sought by businesses, by non-mainstream media, and by an organic and growing online cooperative of non-partisan dissident journalism and commentary.

In 2024, Larry addressed the United Nations Security Council, and attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He appears regularly on various news sites, video blogs and independent online channels, including Sputnik, RT, Judging Freedom, Redacted and The Duran, among many others.

Sonar21: Analytical Depth, American Freedom

Sonar21 is the name of Larry’s online effort.

For most people, SONAR carries the connotation of in-depth analysis, of soundings — pings and reflections — which often have to be cast against the prevailing current.

Here S O N A R also stands for “The Son of the New American Revolution.” Larry’s American ancestry began well before the war for independence, and includes a number of illustrious freedom-loving individuals active in that founding era.

Neither the depth nor the message of Sonar21 is unique to a particular ancestry or nation. That attitude of exceptionalism is simply un-American. Above all, the ethos behind Sonar21 esteems those high foundational ideals of the American republic: self-determination, self-government, the sovereignty of nations as well as of the individual.

This effort enthusiastically exercises, supports and promotes free speech, open inquiry and diverse discussion in a world where such basic, precious liberties are in peril.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1952, Larry Johnson embarked on his educational journey by pursuing a Bachelor's degree in American Studies at the University of Minnesota. In 1979, he relocated to Washington, D.C., to further his studies at the American University. Johnson successfully completed the required coursework but never submitted his dissertation.

Military and Intelligence Career

From 1983to 1985, Johnson served in Latin America before joining the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)in 1985with a letter of recommendation from Senator Orrin Hatch. Following a year of training, including time in Afghanistan, he was assigned to the CIA's Caribbean Branch of the Latin America Division. His exceptional performance earned him two major awards and a promotion to Chief Regional Analyst for Central America. Johnson left the CIA in October 1989.

Counterterrorism and Private Consulting

After departing the CIA, Johnson joined the State Department's Office of Counter Terrorismin October 1989. He served until October 1993, playing a key role in launching the "Terrorism Rewards" program and managing crises such as hostage-taking in Lebanon and the Lockerbie bombing.

In October 1993, Johnson transitioned to private consulting and founded BERG Associates, LLC. He is recognized as an expert in counterterrorism, aviation security, risk management, crisis management, and anti-money laundering.

Related

SONAR21 Larry's website

Larry C. Johnson Former Central Intelligence Agency analyst

A blogger in Moscow: Larry C. Johnson [3-31-2025 | Ben Smith] THE SCOOP

When I called the blogger Larry C. Johnson last week, I was a bit surprised to hear I was the first journalist to reach out to him since his return from Moscow.

Johnson had been one of three people, two American commentators and a Dubai-based X personality, to interview Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on March 12, seated around a long table with space for more. Travel had been a “nightmare,” he said: a 15-hour long flight from Dulles to the United Arab Emirates, where he missed his connection, and another 5 to Moscow — a far cry from the easy Aeroflot hops of happier times.

Johnson spent some of the interview warming Lavrov up, including congratulating him on his 75th birthday. “It’s been said that you’re the Metternich of the modern era, but I think that’s wrong. They should say that Metternich was the Lavrov of his era,” he said at one point.

And Lavrov treated them in return to a long rehearsal of Russia’s grievances against the west, and its familiar hardline Ukraine policy: No rush to peace, and no NATO peacekeepers, under any flag, on Ukrainian soil.

Johnson said he left with two other clear takeaways. First, Lavrov’s view is that his country’s relationship with China is “solid,” and that US efforts to divide the countries are futile.

And second, the Americans have “got one choice — to listen to what the Russians are saying.”

Johnson said he’s perplexed by the Trump administration’s view that Russia will be racing to make concessions at peace talks.

“The policy that Putin laid out in June of 2024 hasn’t changed,” Johnson said. “All I’m doing is listening to what they’re saying and recognizing that they’re not bulls***ting — not like some of our American politicians who will say anything, like, ‘We didn’t discuss war plans,’ or that kind of nonsense.”