We trade spys not kill them

[hal2kilo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38162139/ns/us_news-security

As I previously explained in this thread spys are typically traded.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=30067132&postcount=44

 

[ElFenix]

ummmk

bets on when anna chapman is hosting a reality show about spying and/or poses for playboy/other mag?

 

[Drakkon]

http://www.4hb.com/0850sun-tzu-art-war-13.html

11. Having converted spies, getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes.

 

[BoberFett]

ummmk

bets on when anna chapman is hosting a reality show about spying and/or poses for playboy/other mag?

I'd buy that issue.

 

[theeedude]

That woman is gonna make a ton of money, though she may have a hard time getting a visa to go spend it

 

[ichy]

These guys were pretty small fry, and didn't do any real damage to US national security. Trading them was the right thing to do. The fact that Aldrich Ames and Robert Hansen weren't executed is what's really outrageous.

 

[hal2kilo]

These guys were pretty small fry, and didn't do any real damage to US national security. Trading them was the right thing to do. The fact that Aldrich Ames and Robert Hansen weren't executed is what's really outrageous.

You got that right. Probably got some of our spies killed.

 

[ichy]

You got that right. Probably got some of our spies killed.

Probably? Both Ames and Hanson have the blood of some brave men on their hands.

 

[Throckmorton]

Does this make anyone nostalgic for the good old days when foreign policy was a game of chess and not whack-a-mole?

 

[ElFenix]

I'd buy that issue.

a classy mag like playboy probably would have her take the nipple clamps off first though

 

[PottedMeat]

In exchange for the 10 Russian agents, the U.S. won freedom for and access to two former Russian intelligence colonels who had been convicted in their home country of compromising dozens of valuable Soviet-era and Russian agents operating in the West. Two others also convicted of betraying Moscow were wrapped into the deal.

Seems like a good deal - 10 crappy russian 'spies' for 2 intelligence colonels and 2 others. The CIA probably thought they owed the people that gave them Ames and Hansen their freedom at the very least.

 

[werepossum]

These guys were pretty small fry, and didn't do any real damage to US national security. Trading them was the right thing to do. The fact that Aldrich Ames and Robert Hansen weren't executed is what's really outrageous.

Agree completely.

 

[theeedude]

They basically traded 10 allegedly unregistered agent amateurs facing 5 years for 4 convicted spys, a couple of whom would have been legitimately executed for treason had Russia not suspended the death penalty. So it was a good trade. This would be like Russia scooping up some American expats, accusing them of spying, and then trading them for Ames and Hansen.

 

[ModestGamer]

Why not just shoot them. Seems like a practical solution. Something is afoot in the politics of this mess.

 

[hal2kilo]

Why not just shoot them. Seems like a practical solution. Something is afoot in the politics of this mess.

Yes, in your own wingnut mind.

 

[palehorse]

Interesting take on this issue from a 30-year veteran of the CIA -- a specialist in Russian affairs, no less...

Spy swap was a mistake

I especially happen to agree with this statement:

"I don't necessarily advocate having kept these people in prison for decades, but a year or two in prison before offering a swap would have sent a strong message to Putin and the SVR."
​

I personally believe that Obama moved too quickly on this one.

 

[Throckmorton]

Interesting take on this issue from a 30-year veteran of the CIA -- a specialist in Russian affairs, no less...

Spy swap was a mistake

I especially happen to agree with this statement:

"I don't necessarily advocate having kept these people in prison for decades, but a year or two in prison before offering a swap would have sent a strong message to Putin and the SVR."
​

I personally believe that Obama moved too quickly on this one.

Tell that to the people we swapped them for.

 

[RedChief]

We probably did move to fast but we got a good deal. Engineers are worth a lot more then Academics/Journalists.

 

[Throckmorton]

BTW what message would we be sending by imprisoning them for a few years? Not to send spies? Why would Putin care whether his spies are imprisoned or not?

 

[fantolay]

BTW what message would we be sending by imprisoning them for a few years? Not to send spies? Why would Putin care whether his spies are imprisoned or not?

He might not think of Obama as such a pussy. Obama has no sack and just slaps Putin on the wrist.

 

[Zebo]

Retarded. It's like trading gold for silver .... The ruskies are 20 years at least behind us while we actually have something to steal. Head shots all of them. But I don't expect the pussy bitch ass asshole in WH to understand he endangers us further every day.

 

[Zebo]

I'd buy that issue.

Hmmm.. That bitch looked like a crank whore in pic I saw. Dime a dozen in downtown Tulsa.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2086144&page=2

 

[Narmer]

The spies for America must feel like they won the lotto since they will now be in the West while those being deported probably don't want to live in Russia.

 

[Budmantom]

These guys were pretty small fry, and didn't do any real damage to US national security. Trading them was the right thing to do. The fact that Aldrich Ames and Robert Hansen weren't executed is what's really outrageous.

And you know they were small fry because...?... that's what was reported.

We all know this administration wouldn't lie.

 

[BeauJangles]

Retarded. It's like trading gold for silver .... The ruskies are 20 years at least behind us while we actually have something to steal. Head shots all of them. But I don't expect the pussy bitch ass asshole in WH to understand he endangers us further every day.

Yup. Piss off another nuclear power for absolutely no reason, risk having our own spies in Russia killed, and all for what gain exactly? Sending a "strong" message that we won't tolerate spying? This sort of solution is what has gotten us in trouble in the past.