Chatter: Russian Spies in Reality and Fiction with Calder Walton
Aug 17, 2023
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Guest Calder Walton, intelligence historian and author, discusses Russian spying operations and their portrayal in movies and television. Topics include the Mitrokhin archive, the Cambridge Five, Russian disinformation campaigns, and the Rosenberg case. Also explores the overlooked role of Uleg Pankovsky in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the importance of context in intelligence.
The Cambridge Five were a group of Soviet recruited spies in the UK civil service, highlighting the shortcomings of British security and the dedication of the agents themselves.
The case of the Rosenbergs, found guilty of providing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, showcases the tragedy of limited evidence and the classified nature of the Venona Decrypts.
Understanding the historical context and motivations of spies like the Cambridge Five and the Rosenbergs helps navigate the relationship between reality and fiction in espionage narratives.
Deep dives
The Cambridge Five: Revolutionary spies infiltrate UK civil service
The Cambridge Five were a group of five graduates from Cambridge University in the 1930s who were recruited by the Soviet intelligence service to work as agents in the UK civil service. They successfully gained positions of power and access to sensitive information, allowing them to provide intelligence to the Soviet Union during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. The most prominent member of the group was Kim Philby, who even became the head of the department responsible for countering Soviet espionage in MI6. The Cambridge Five had a significant impact on global events and were considered one of the worst security breaches in British history. Their successful recruitment was largely due to the shortcomings of British security and the dedication of the agents themselves, rather than masterful tradecraft by Soviet intelligence.
The Rosenbergs: Guilty of aiding Soviet Union
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were a couple who were found guilty of providing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during the early years of the Cold War. Julius Rosenberg was an unambiguous Soviet agent, as revealed by declassified documents known as the Venona Decrypts. His wife, Ethel Rosenberg, also had some involvement, but the extent of her role is less clear. Julius provided valuable information to the Soviets, while Ethel's involvement appears to be ancillary and limited. The Rosenbergs were ultimately sentenced to death, a decision influenced by the limited evidence that could be presented in court due to the classified nature of the Venona Decrypts. Their case remains a tragedy, as the severity of their punishment might have been different if all relevant evidence was available at the time.
The allure of espionage and the link between fact and fiction
Espionage has always captivated the public's imagination and given rise to countless books, movies, and narratives. While there is a distinction between fact and fiction, there are often elements of truth woven into fictional depictions of spies. The stories of spies like those in the Cambridge Five and the Rosenbergs showcase both the real-world impact of espionage and the fascination it holds for audiences. It is important to understand the historical context and the motivations of individuals involved in intelligence operations as we navigate the complex relationship between reality and fiction in espionage narratives.
Balancing historical research and historical memory
As a historian, it is crucial to strike a balance between thorough research and challenging established historical narratives. The history of intelligence and espionage offers many opportunities to reevaluate and reinterpret events based on new sources and information. The case of the Cambridge Five and the Rosenbergs demonstrates the complexity of intelligence operations, the imperfections of historical records, and the impact of hindsight. By examining these cases from multiple perspectives and delving into declassified documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the motivations and consequences of espionage.
The Overlooked Role of Uleg Pankovsky in the Cuban Missile Crisis
Uleg Pankovsky, a senior officer in Soviet military intelligence, played a crucial but often overlooked role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Motivated by a combination of factors including his disgust for the Soviet regime, career ambitions, and financial gains, Pankovsky had access to valuable information about the Soviet arsenal. This information, collected through espionage, became extremely valuable for the British intelligence service MI6 and the CIA during the crisis. Pankovsky's intelligence, codenamed Ironbark, provided key technical specifications about Soviet missiles, which allowed US analysts to cross-reference the photographs of the missiles in Cuba and assess the threat accurately.
The Narrative of Russian Intelligence in Popular Fiction and Realities
Popular fiction often portrays Soviet and Russian intelligence services as master spy geniuses, but this narrative does not align with reality. While there have been notable successes and historical espionage, many operations relied on opportunistic individuals rather than meticulously planned actions. Cases like Rick Ames and Robert Hanson demonstrate this, where their motivations were primarily personal gain or ego rather than ideological affinity for Russia. The cases of these moles had devastating consequences for US national security and had a chilling effect on agencies and their abilities to recruit and trust colleagues. The fictional portrayal of Russians as powerful and cunning spies may stem from a desire for a good antagonist in narratives, as well as a fascination with espionage in Russian culture. It is important, however, to recognize the nuanced reality and consider the broader impact of disinformation campaigns and intelligence operations.
Dr. Calder Walton, assistant director of the Applied History Project and Intelligence Project at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, has become one of the world's most highly respected intelligence historians. His most recent book, Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, describes the long history of Russian spying--placing it into the wider context of the hundred-year espionage war between the East and West. And this gives him a remarkable perspective on how Soviet and Russian operations against the West have been portrayed in movies and television.
David Priess spoke with Calder about his path to researching and writing within the intelligence history subfield; the story of the Mitrokhin archive; the Cambridge Five; the Rosenbergs; Oleg Penkovsky; Aldrich Ames; Robert Hanssen; Russian disinformation campaigns in historical context; enduring popular myths about the master recruits of the KGB; and much more.
Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.
