Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware that 10 Russian spies were arrested in the United States and returned to their Mother Land in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War. The swap was made in a Vienna airport where both, the U.S. and Russian planes were positioned on the sunny tarmac, wing tip to wing tip.
The 10 sleeper agents, who blended into American communities before being arrested two weeks ago, were back on Russian soil Saturday, a day after they were exchanged on the tarmac of the Vienna airport for four prisoners the Russians had accused of spying for the West.
Two of the prisoners were flown to England and the other two landed aboard a chartered jetliner at Dulles International Airport outside Washington late Friday. It was a perfect back-to-the-future plan of cloak-and-dagger dealings.
With the conclusion of the biggest spy swap since the Cold War, the U.S. has defused a thorny diplomatic problem quickly and cleanly—and avoided damaging recent efforts to improve relations with Russia. And Moscow has escaped further embarrassment over a group of spies that over the years apparently had little if any success in ferreting out any useful secrets.
This incident reminded me of two famous American spies who were arrested for delivering sensitive information to the then KGB. I’m talking about Robert Hanssen, a FBI agent, and Aldrich H. Ames, Chief of Counter Intelligence – Soviet Union, of the CIA. Arrested for conspiracy on February 21, 1994, Aldrich Hazen Ames and his wife, Rosario Casas Ames, pled guilty. President Clinton declared it the worst case of espionage in the history of the United States.
Spies stories are always exciting to read or watch. I remember viewing every single one of James Bond’s movies. It was fascinating the way the cracker jack British agent dealt with danger, dry martinis, beautiful women, fast cars, and all sorts of spy gadgets. Ian Fleming was an amazing spy author and his 007 British secret agent will live forever.
If spy stories are your cup of tea, there’s a thrilling movie about CIA double agent Aldrich Ames on the Internet. The picture is called, CIA Double Agent Aldrich Ames Story, and it can be streamed at YouTube. I enjoyed it so much I saw it twice. At the end of the movie, I couldn’t understand how a person can betray his country for money. Enjoy the movie and Good Day.
CIA Double Agent Aldrich Ames Story – YouTube
Money is always the motive, Omar. When I was involved with security clearances, the most intense scrutiny was reserved for checking a person’s finances. I have seen people admit to using drugs and other crimes and then receiving a clearance based on their promise to stop the illegal activity?!
But, financial problems were always a showstopper. Late payments, excessive debt, etc would always draw extra attention from the investigator and many times required the applicant to provide access to all his financial records, including past tax returns.
The really sad part is that the amounts of money involved are never worth it because after the first payout, the person is bound by threat of blackmail if they don’t continue to provide data. Crime really does not pay (enough).
jim and nena
fort worth, tx
Hi Jim and Nena:
I echo with your words, Jim. The meltdown of Wall Street due to excessive greed is another example that comes to my mind at this moment. Everyone was in for a fast buck.
Thanks for commenting. Hope the weather is nice in your neck of the woods.
Cheers,
Omar.-