5 signs there’s something fishy about the alleged CIA spy arrested in Moscow

Washington Post ^ | 15 May 2013 | Max Fisher

[mandaladon]

Shortly after Russian state security arrested an American diplomat named Ryan C. Fogle, alleging that he was actually a CIA spy who’d sought to pay a Russian official for information, the Moscow-financed media outlet RT published a surprisingly detailed series of photos and videos showing Fogle’s arrest. Within moments of the story breaking, RT had shown the world what it said were Fogle’s fake wigs, his bundles of cash, even a letter explaining his plans. As is often the case with moments of U.S.-Russia tension, Fogle’s arrest has spurred skepticism and suspicion in both countries. But there are a number of credulity-straining details in this incident so bizarre that it’s difficult to square them with what we know about how the CIA actually works. That alone isn’t proof of anything, but as long as Russian media and security services are pushing hard on this story, it’s worth noting the signs that have a number of Russia-watchers wondering whether there’s something fishy to the story. Based on the available information so far, there seem to be three scenarios that might most plausibly explain what had happened. The first is that the Russian version of events is correct and that Fogle was just remarkably clumsy, putting incriminating information into an otherwise not-very-useful letter and promising impossible-sounding payouts to his source. The second is that Fogle is innocent, a mere embassy official framed to serve some Russian political end, although if this were the case you might expect the U.S. State Department to be protesting much more loudly than it is. A third scenario could be some combination of the two: that Fogle is with the CIA, but that the implausible-looking props and letter were planted.

[mandaladon]

......Take a close look at this picture...looks like a dummy.

[Gaffer]

I think not. Dummies don’t give ‘redeye’ to a camera flash. If they did, they would be remarkably realistic.

[mandaladon]

(2) “Spy kit” looks like cheap costume shop regalia. Fogle’s alleged supplies when he was arrested, photos of which were disseminated on Russian media, include some cartoonish details: a map of Moscow (he doesn’t have a smartphone?), two wigs, three pairs of glasses, bags of Euros, a knife, a flashlight and – this is my favorite part – a compass. “Who uses a compass these days?” Mark Galeotti, a New York University professor who studies Russian security affairs, asked The Washington Post. “This would be a phenomenal breach of tradecraft. This isn’t what they teach you at the CIA.”

[afraidfortherepublic]

First sign is that the guy expelled looks like a poor excuse for a high school-aged thespian. If you encountered him on the street in that wacky wig, would you believe him?

[mandaladon]

According to the letter that Russian state security say they found on Fogle, the CIA was offering $100,000 up front and $1 million per year plus bonuses “if we receive some helpful information.” That implies that the CIA was offering a Russian official a staggering $1 million annually even if he or she doesn’t provide “helpful information” .............How generous!

[longfellow]

he is the next oswald, now he comes back and shoots.....oh wait we have a commie in the white house now so.....

[molson209]

The Russians arrested another CIA( LOL ) operative in January and were shadowing this guy . WOW even the spies are a joke under Obama

[untenured]

Once upon a time, wasn't there immediate tit-for-tat in a case like this? By now, shouldn't a Russian diplomat at least have been expelled, and if you really wanted to be hardline about it maybe even handcuffed, put on the ground, photographed and jailed?

I guess we don't live in those times anymore.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

If this guy was really a CIA Agent on a mission as alleged, I would be very concerned about the sheer amatuerism exhibited here.

[Gaffer]

I guess as an American and all that, I should care about this, but I find my ardor severely lacking at this point.

I am more worried about ANY Muslim that I see, hear, read about, meet, or think of than I am of 'Russia' and what it portends. Any one of them constitutes more evil to me than the FSU or China.

I am even more worried about the socialist destroyers in charge of this government - for reals!

[Irenic]

Maybe somebody wants to make or CIA look silly. Our SS looks pretty pathetic of late and the scandal with Patreaus and the other General doesn’t look good for our military. Now look at the IRS. We must all look like fools to the world. It is undermining any credibility of our government.

[DJ MacWoW]

Click The Pic To Donate

Support FR, Donate Monthly If You Can

[Starboard]

implausible-looking props

Patently absurd is more like it. Amateurish in the extreme. Who would believe this???

[MuttTheHoople]

I sincerely hope this is a "false flag" operation, with one agent being so conspicuously incompetent that counter-intelligence concentrates on him while the real agent quietly slips by.

Knowing this crew, either he's the best the Obama CIA has to offer, or Obama himself is working with the KGB.

[mountn man]

...Takea close look at this picture...looks like a dummy.

[wtd]

re:

"WOW even the spies are a joke under Obama"-molson209

It's remarkable that notice is actually taken of how much of a joke this administration has become.

The wisdom of those born in 1977 from which I quote:

"So when the administration gets its history wrong on everything from D-Day to the Berlin Airlift, there’s a reason. The facts are coming from young ignoramuses who don’t know much American history.

The American people ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing themselves to be fooled by two dolts in dunce caps. Far worse than that, however, is that the media celebrate their work by deifying the fellow who delivers the rubbish they peddle. Imagine: a country of 300 million taken in by two young fools and a guy with a mellifluous voice.

[mnehring]

Nope, just the red eye and strange hair.

[VanShuyten]

It could be some loser trying to prove that he deserved to be in the clandestine services after being rejected.

[IMR 4350]

Let me guess.

I bet it turns out he is really a “right wing extremist” and the money is for someone associated with the Chechens.

It’s obvious he wanted to be caught so look for a fake story that “just by coincidence” helps the Obama administration.

[sanjuanbob]

Two leaders concoct a bizarre story that benefits both.
People on this side starting to wise up.