The power of secrets
Who has been the most underrated spy working for the United States and why?
Richard Bissell, best known as CIA head of operations at the time of the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion. He had earlier been manager of the stunning operation to build the U-2, the first high-altitude spy plane, which revealed the extent of the Soviet nuclear strike force--their most important secret in the early Cold War.
CHRISTOPHER ANDREW, author and professor of history, Cambridge University
Who has been the most damaging traitor to the United States and why?
John Walker. The chief of U.S. Naval Intelligence testified that had conflict erupted between the superpowers, material [he] supplied to the Soviets had "war-winning implications." We could read all correspondence between U.S. naval headquarters and your subs across the world. We could have delivered a pre-emptive strike.
Oleg Kalugin, retired KGB official
What is the dumbest thing a spy has ever done?
The support officer to [Soviet master spy] Rudolph Abel in New York had been given a hollow nickel with microfilm in it with instructions. He was a drunk and spent his nickel to a newsboy, who later dropped the change. The nickel fell apart and the film fell out.
H. KEITH MELTON, author, Ultimate Spy Book and technical adviser to U.S. intelligence services
What has been the biggest intelligence failure by any country?
No question, the failure of the Soviet KGB to sense the collapse of the Soviet Union. While U.S. intelligence and other U.S.S.R. observers, including media and academics, had insights into the country, none of them had the pervasive presence or sources of the KGB itself.
PETER EARNEST, former CIA officer and executive director of the International Spy Museum
What were the differences between Cold War spies in the U.S. and U.S.S.R.?
The Soviet Union was a closed society--everybody was watching everyone. KGB, their job was easy. They could ask questions in a U.S. bar like, "Hey, what's up at that secret site?" And someone would say, "Oh, didn't you know, they're testing a secret airplane." Sure, they made great successes, but, hell, it was easy for them.
Gene Poteat, president, Association of Former Intelligence Officers
What makes for a successful spy?
Blending in is very important. Also, spies are fearless about imposing on others. You have to get into someone's hotel room; you go up to the clerk and find a way. That takes a real willingness to be inappropriate, insinuate--to be insensitive, but at the same time have high emotional intelligence.
LT. GEN. (RET.) CLAUDIA KENNEDY, former deputy chief of staff for intelligence, U.S. Army
What is the most daring feat a spy ever accomplished?
The Navy intelligence service was working with the CIA off the Soviet coast. The Soviets were firing new test weapons; we wanted to know how far they could go. We were also interested in plugging into the cables that the Soviets had at the bottom of the ocean. They did it, and they did it brilliantly.
JUDGE WILLIAM WEBSTER, former director of both the CIA and the FBI
With Nancy Bentrup
advertisement
