Consider This from NPR The Seriousness of America's Latest Homegrown Spy
Dec 6, 2023
Robert Baer, a former CIA officer and expert on espionage, delves into the unsettling case of Manuel Rocha, a U.S. diplomat charged with spying for Cuba. Baer unpacks the hidden dangers of domestic espionage, recalling notorious incidents like Aldrich Ames. He emphasizes the critical need for effective vetting processes and the vulnerabilities inherent in U.S. intelligence. The discussion reveals the chilling reality of betrayal from within and the ongoing impact such breaches have on national security.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ames Betrayal
- In 1994, CIA Director Jim Woolsey compared preventing intelligence threats to being a hockey goalie.
- Aldrich Ames, head of the CIA's Russian counterintelligence unit, was caught passing secrets to the Soviet Union for nine years, revealing numerous operations and betraying agents.
Alger Hiss Case
- In 1948, Alger Hiss, a former government official, was accused of espionage by Whitaker Chambers.
- Microfilm of secret documents, including Hiss's notes, was later found on Chambers's farm, highlighting historical vulnerabilities to double agents.
Historical Double Agents
- The US has a history of double agents within its ranks, including a retired Army Reserve colonel and a CIA analyst.
- These individuals spied for the Soviet Union and China, respectively, for extended periods, demonstrating ongoing vulnerabilities.