Assassination Attempt on CIA Informant Revealed
NY.- As Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin pursues his enemies abroad, his intelligence operatives appear poised to cross a line they previously avoided: trying to kill a valuable informant to the US government on US soil.
The clandestine operation, which sought to eliminate a CIA informant in Miami who was a high-ranking Russian intelligence official more than a decade ago, represented a brazen expansion of Putin’s assassination campaign.
A Dangerous Low Point Among Intelligence Services
It is also a sign of the dangerous low point among intelligence services, which have long had a twisted history.
“The red line has disappeared for Putin. He wants all those people dead,” said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer who led operations in Europe and Russia.
The assassination failed, but a spiral of US-Russian retaliation ensued, according to three former high-ranking US officials who spoke anonymously to comment on secret aspects of the plot and its aftermath.
Sanctions and expulsions followed, including high-ranking intelligence officials in Moscow and Washington.
The Target: Aleksandr Poteyev
The target was Aleksandr Poteyev, a former Russian intelligence officer who released information that led to years of an FBI investigation that in 2010 caught 11 spies living undercover in suburbs and cities along the East Coast.
They used false names and worked ordinary jobs as part of an ambitious attempt by Russia’s foreign intelligence agency to gather information and recruit more agents.
A Controversial Agreement
In the Obama administration’s effort to resume relations, an agreement was reached that sought to ease tensions: Ten of the 11 spies were arrested and deported to Russia.
In exchange, Moscow released four Russian prisoners, including Sergei V. Skripal, a former colonel in the military intelligence service who was convicted in 2006 of selling secrets to Britain.
Revelation in “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West”
The assassination attempt on Poteyev is revealed in the British edition of the book “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West,” to be published by Little Brown on June 29.
The book was written by Harvard intelligence and national security expert Calder Walton.
Han a decade ago, is a significant escalation in Russia’s ongoing efforts to target its enemies outside its borders. The revelation of this assassination attempt highlights the increasingly aggressive tactics employed by President Putin and his intelligence operatives. The target of the operation was a valuable informant who had been providing crucial information to the US government, emphasizing the potential threat posed by the Russian government to US national security. This attempted assassination on American soil raises concerns about the ability of the US to protect its intelligence assets and the safety of its citizens.
How can the US government strengthen its intelligence operations to prevent similar attempts at assassinations on American soil by foreign governments?
There are several measures the US government can take to strengthen its intelligence operations and prevent similar attempts at assassinations on American soil by foreign governments. Here are a few strategies:
1. Enhance counterintelligence efforts: The US government should allocate more resources to counterintelligence to identify and neutralize foreign governments’ intelligence activities. This includes monitoring foreign diplomatic missions, increasing surveillance on suspected intelligence operatives, and conducting thorough background checks on individuals with access to sensitive information.
2. Improve intelligence sharing among agencies: To effectively counter foreign threats, different intelligence agencies must share information and coordinate their efforts. The US government should promote collaboration and information exchange between agencies such as the CIA, FBI, NSA, and others.
3. Increase funding and resources: Adequate funding is crucial to strengthen intelligence agencies. The government should allocate sufficient financial resources to recruit and train intelligence personnel, enhance technological capabilities, and develop advanced encryption and cybersecurity mechanisms to safeguard intelligence networks.
4. Enhance cooperation with international partners: Cooperating with foreign allies can enable intelligence agencies to share information, pool resources, and develop joint strategies to prevent assassinations and other hostile activities. Strengthening alliances and collaborating through intelligence-sharing agreements can enhance the US government’s effectiveness in countering foreign threats.
5. Invest in advanced technology: Continuous investment in cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, can assist in identifying patterns, detecting potential threats, and predicting adversaries’ intentions. The US government should prioritize research and development of such technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats.
6. Strengthen diplomatic efforts: Diplomatic engagement plays a significant role in preventing hostile activities. The US government should engage in proactive and assertive diplomatic efforts to deter foreign governments from attempting assassinations on American soil. This includes diplomatic protests, imposing sanctions, expulsion of diplomats, and other measures to hold accountable those responsible for such actions.
7. Improve security measures: Strengthening security measures at strategic locations, critical infrastructure, and high-profile individuals is vital to prevent assassination attempts. Collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to bolster security protocols and conducting regular risk assessments can help identify vulnerabilities and ensure a swift response to any potential threats.
8. Invest in human intelligence: While technological advancements are crucial, human intelligence remains invaluable. The US government should continue investing in recruiting and training human intelligence agents who can infiltrate foreign networks, gather critical information, and provide real-time intelligence on potential threats.
It is important to note that the efficacy of intelligence operations depends on various factors, including political will, adequate legal framework, and public support. Therefore, the US government should also focus on building public trust, bipartisan consensus, and maintaining a legal framework that balances security and privacy concerns.
This is a shocking and troubling account of Russian operatives going to such extreme lengths as attempting to assassinate a CIA informant. The importance of safeguarding our intelligence assets and strengthening security measures cannot be emphasized enough in such critical times.