[MickMan51]

One is that these were spies in training, newly minted Mossad graduates on test runs to see how they would operate in field conditions.

I like this one best.

Me too. Rookie training. Real world scenario without much real risk. But they list it last. In any event, the feds got burned bad nationwide on this one. Visiting agents' homes? In the military, this kind of stuff would get people relieved of duty.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #63

It is not a good idea to have agents or potential agent's faces known to other intelligence services, whether they are allies or not. US must have compiled information on those who rounded up, including physical traits.

[eno_]

The training scenario also makes the DEA as a target more plausible. DEA is probably considered bufoonville, a first-semester spying project before they move to other targets. People who flunk this have to give a mall cop a wedgie as a remedial exercise. The valedictorians are the ones taking photos on our military bases.

[SauronOfMordor]

Me too. Rookie training. Real world scenario without much real risk. But they list it last. In any event, the feds got burned bad nationwide on this one. Visiting agents' homes? In the military, this kind of stuff would get people relieved of duty.

Or how about this variation: rookies sent in to explore various techniques on how to get into US federal facilities. Successful techniques get put into the books for the "pros" to use at whatever point they deem necessary. If the rookies get caught, no big deal, and they'll be sprung quickly (well, more quickly than Pollard)