Quite Simply Outrageous...Well, Kind Of...

It would be a simpleton who believes that Russia no longer engages in espionage activities. The long frigid years of the Cold War may have long concluded, and there appeared a time soon afterward when it seemed almost that complete rapprochement might be reached between the United States and the western world with that part that was left of the former Soviet Union, but it was an illusion that simply did not last. Russia was resentful of its fallen status as a world leader, representing a powerful bloc so that at that time there were two world powers.

Russia was aggrieved that its former satellites lost no time in trying to distance themselves and their countries' interests from the domination of Russia. They were now free to choose their allies, and for most Eastern European countries formerly part of the USSR, their chosen ally was not Russia. Most clamoured to be part of the European Union. Many wanted to be included in NATO. Russia threatened and cajoled but from Estonia to Ukraine the former hapless members of the USSR preferred their independence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is no Gorbachev, nor is he a Brezhnev. Brezhnev labelled Stalin for the mass murderer he was, Gorbachev led Russia out of its super-power status as a brutal occupier, and Putin has busied himself ever since rehabilitating the legend of Stalin as a great man of vision who made Russia proud of itself, far from the murdering tyrant that he was. From appearing to share values with the west, Russia has gone full circle back to its threatening, authoritarian status whose malign purpose and presence aids the outlier countries of the world.

So, certainly yes, Russia spies on the United States. And occasionally Washington sees fit to identify Russian spies and invite them to leave the country, whereupon the Kremlin takes aggravated steps to return the compliment. For returning the compliment is also what the U.S. engages in, with its own espionage activities. This time around it was Moscow that initiated the unveiling of an American spy posing as a simple low-level diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, who busied himself with disguises and wheedling Russians to accept munificent sums to betray their country as spies for America.

"Just the amounts of money here suggest there is something a bit fishy going on. You have to ask if this was all a set up?
"Moscow is the toughest, most saturated counter-intelligence environment in the world. It doesn't feel right that he's carrying wigs, a bundle of money, a compass, two pairs of sunglasses -- at night -- and a letter that all screams 'I'm a spy'... You do get the feeling perhaps that the Russians are trying a bit too hard with this."                                         Aki Peritz, former CIA official, counter-terrorism analyst

Russian authorities are not very skilled at professing naivete and innocent outrage. Subtle is not their game. This accusation has crude written in large bold letters all over the extravagantly unnecessary details. Russian state television triumphantly showing Ryan Fogle, a third secretary from the U.S. embassy's political section, detained and arrested by the Federal Security Service. Caught red-handed he was, in an attempt to recruit a Russian, offering a $10 million award. And unceremoniously -- or rather, peculiarly-ceremonially expelled.

Proof there is plenty; the FSB was in possession of a "spy kit". Said kit complete with wigs, sunglasses, cash, compass and a letter offering money to any enterprising Russian agent interested in providing data to the Americans. If this doesn't represent fully incriminating evidence, what then, would? The Russian Foreign Ministry drawing itself to rigid attention declared these American activities to represent a "provocation in the spirit of the Cold War". A CIA operative caught with a "classic spy arsenal".

The situation horribly disappointing Moscow which thought better, far better of the United States. A situation that "raised serious questions for the American side".  The spy's efforts were useless since quite obviously no member of the Russian special services would agree to betraying his country. Rather the target alerted authorities to the untoward activities of this American spy who carried a wad of e3500 notes and that incriminating letter offering "up to $1-million per year for long-term cooperation, with extra bonuses for information that will help us."

This "1970s spy kit and a $1-million letter" -- evidence of the perfidious nature of Americans and the doughty honourableness of Russians confronted by the evil of the U.S. speaks volumes about the ineptitude, lack of imagination and stupidity of high-level Russian intelligence. Doubtless it has an appreciative internal audience. But no stars for even a hint of veracity and diplomatic relations on the international circuit. Russia will not compromise its integrity by permitting such flagrant insults to flourish on its hallowed soil.

If any event could serve to provide more than adequate indication that Russia has no intention of partnering with the United States on any useful joint initiative whatever on the world scene, where both together have the potential of influencing the outcomes of hugely destabilizing governments busy making the world a less safe, more complex environment, this is just one more little tic opening the Pandora's Box of unsettling international events.