Theatrical espionage

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Spying Russian style...

BBC Article

From the article..

"When a ring of Russian spies was discovered in the suburbs of several US cities in May, many commentators were quick to dismiss them as rather hapless.

There was, it seemed, a touch of comic opera about their covert activities, and the other details that emerged of their lives in the US - from the cultivation of hydrangeas, to the alluring pictures posted on Facebook by the most glamorous of the group, Anna Chapman.

But that's not how everyone saw it. Sir Stephen Lander, Director-General of MI5 until 2002, has told a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Why Russia Spies, that the very existence of a ring of Russian "illegals" (spies operating without diplomatic cover) is no laughing matter. 

"The fact that they're nondescript or don't look serious is part of the charm of the business," he says.

"That's why the Russians are so successful at some of this stuff""

There was me thinking the Mossad had the monopoly on 'Carry on espionage' with their comedic (although rather sisnister) knocking off of a Hamas leader earlier this year. Complete with fake moustaches, badly fitting tennis shorts and stolen European passports.

It's believed that there are just as many Russian agents working in the UK now, as there was at the height of the cold war. I'm assuming we return the favour. I'd be suprised if we didn't. The target for their operations is less towards the military but more on commerce and industry, in particular our energy companies. 

Is all this espionage really necessary these days? A peaceful, prosperous and stable Russia would be in everyones interest of course, but why are we not doing more to engage them on this and work together for the common good? Do we or they still envisage a time when they/we control all the gas and oil in Europe?

..and while we're at it, why do they still fly high altitude nuclear bombers near British air space?

Mind you, Miss Chapman is a bit of a fox. She can spy on me anytime..

Edited by Blacksword - August 17 2010 at 11:47

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Blacksword Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: June 22 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 16130	Topic: Theatrical espionage Posted: August 17 2010 at 11:43
	Spying Russian style... BBC Article From the article.. "When a ring of Russian spies was discovered in the suburbs of several US cities in May, many commentators were quick to dismiss them as rather hapless. There was, it seemed, a touch of comic opera about their covert activities, and the other details that emerged of their lives in the US - from the cultivation of hydrangeas, to the alluring pictures posted on Facebook by the most glamorous of the group, Anna Chapman. But that's not how everyone saw it. Sir Stephen Lander, Director-General of MI5 until 2002, has told a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Why Russia Spies, that the very existence of a ring of Russian "illegals" (spies operating without diplomatic cover) is no laughing matter. "The fact that they're nondescript or don't look serious is part of the charm of the business," he says. "That's why the Russians are so successful at some of this stuff"" There was me thinking the Mossad had the monopoly on 'Carry on espionage' with their comedic (although rather sisnister) knocking off of a Hamas leader earlier this year. Complete with fake moustaches, badly fitting tennis shorts and stolen European passports. It's believed that there are just as many Russian agents working in the UK now, as there was at the height of the cold war. I'm assuming we return the favour. I'd be suprised if we didn't. The target for their operations is less towards the military but more on commerce and industry, in particular our energy companies. Is all this espionage really necessary these days? A peaceful, prosperous and stable Russia would be in everyones interest of course, but why are we not doing more to engage them on this and work together for the common good? Do we or they still envisage a time when they/we control all the gas and oil in Europe? ..and while we're at it, why do they still fly high altitude nuclear bombers near British air space? Mind you, Miss Chapman is a bit of a fox. She can spy on me anytime.. Edited by Blacksword - August 17 2010 at 11:47
	Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!