Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Former CIA Officers Dount That Paul Whelan Arrested In Russia Is A Spy

Paul Whelan at the Kremlin in Moscow in 2006. U.S. Marine Corps

NBC: Former CIA officers doubt American arrested in Russia was a spy

Russian intelligence services likely charged Paul Whelan as a spy to use him as a bargaining chip, say two former CIA officers.

The ex-Marine detained in Moscow on spying charges does not fit the blueprint of U.S. espionage in Russia, and is more likely a pawn in an effort to seek leverage over the U.S., intelligence and diplomatic veterans told NBC News Wednesday.

"Knowing what we know, if we had to make a bet, I would say this is (Russian president Vladimir) Putin seizing someone on a pretext," former acting CIA director John McLaughlin said on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

"He may think this is a way to set up a spy swap."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I concur. The Russians want a swap .... Russia’s Arrest of Paul Whelan Is Payback for Maria Butina, CIA Veterans Say (Daily Beast).

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't mind this whole spying and swapping business, but I really hate picking up a civilian to swap for a spy. That is messed up. It puts Russia in the same league as North Korea.
America should retaliate and pick up a connected oligarch or four.

jimbrown said...

Not a good way for Putinto make friends.

Anonymous said...

Russian spy accused of doing what? of course, then, get her out of here before she spills too much