The Spy

In the modern age of the Spy and for this brief essay we have the Cold War between the West and the USSR, 1945 - 1991, Post Cold War Period 1991 - 9/11 2001, Post 9/11 Period. Over the weekend VIEWS watched the The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and Smiley's People on DVD. It is interesting how Modern Film Depicts the Shadow World of Intelligence. If you look at the Bourne Identity but switch countries from the USA to Russia it is easy to understand the present strained relationship between the UK and Russia. In the Bourne Identity the CIA goes after a rogue agent after a failed mission, they send other agents to kill him with different methods from guns to knifes. They do not use nuclear material. A real life a ex agent becomes a critic of the Russian government, the allegation is that the Russian Government was not happy and took extreme action, they killed the critic. This is not new in the present Russia.

On the whole in the the Bourne Supremacy is more like a Post Watergate film set during the Cold War. Three Days of the Condor starring Robert Redford is about a researcher who comes across a highly secret operation to invaded the Middle East. The CIA is not happy and try to remove him. The Bourne Supremacy adds a post USSR feel to the movie but this only keeps it current, in essence a rogue CIA agent is the bad actor in the film, the actual CIA has no clue whats going on, more pre - 9/11 period. The problem is we need the CIA out there doing operation we of the great unwashed don't want to know about, we live in the age of mass terrorism. If you have the chance watch the Bourne Identity and see a mirror of our age.

Smiley's People with the one and only Alec Guinness starts with the death of a critic of the USSR, Ex Russian General form Estonia, the removal is via the use of a gun, the plot leads to the downfall of a rogue Russian Security Chief Karla. The Plot of Smiley's people could be changed with a few updates and done again. This time if you believe the reports it is not a Rogue Russian Operation but the arm of the state killing its critics. Thus in many respects the classic work by John Le Carre is a window in to the past and the present.

In the modern age a Intelligence network will follow subjects, listen to their conversations, open their letters, hack their computer email and telephone. Break in to homes and other buildings to take photos or copy computer files that are stored and cant be hacked. Also they will check the bank accounts, medical records, financial records. In operational terms, they will try to compromise people through blackmail such as honey traps, set people up as to make them seem suspect, they try to cause friction within different groups ( MI6 does not kill people ) it gets people to suspect people in their groups and get them to kill them. It should be added that through modern intelligence that satellites can take pictures better than if your standing by a building or a person. Also they can trace Mobiles as UBL found out when the Press in the States published the fact.

Thus VIEWS does not give an opinion about these methods, all the major intelligence networks use them ever day thats their job. But and here is the but, the use of Nuclear Material should never be used, its well very dangerous and can cause major diplomatic problems. In the Cold War it could have been seen as a Act of War. A good film about that is The Fourth Protocol with a future 007. All networks of countries should come to an understanding, above methods in the rule books but nuclear material is a no go area.

Plame Case Redux!

A Judge has dismissed a claim by Valerie Plame; made famous by the Libby Case; that the Officials in the US Government broke the law by talking to the press about her husband's critical view of US v Iraq policy. The Judge decided that it was part of the process for the Administration to talk to the Press.

UK Servicemen killed in Iraq

The BBC Reports that three servicemen have been killed in Iraq. The UK has lost 162 personnel since the war started in 2003. The MOD reports that it was the RAF that suffered the loss.

Cash for Honours Final Result

The Cash for Honours investigation has come to and end, no charges. VIEWS has argued from the start this should be the end result.

McCain Comeback?

The Politico: A interesting article that looks at the come back plans for Senator McCain. The campaign is using the Reagan example from 1980, readers of this blog will recall that views was using that argument a week ago. Is McCain another Reagan, McCain needs a " Mr Green I paid for this debate " In 1980 the Reagan paid for a Republican Debate the Moderator would not allow Reagan to speak thus the above comment. All the Republican contenders for 1980 where on the platform but there was only one President that night. Reagan showed he could be tough and would fight his corner. In some respects Senator has to be lucky, needs to show himself in a good light, needs to show he can fill the shoes of the Gipper.

Iraq

British Troops presence in Iraq is to be reduced to five thousand by end of the year at present it is 5500.

Those Bad Old Days!

Well those bad old days are back, diplomats are being thrown out of the UK and Russia. But the circumstances are different, the Cold War is over and both the UK and Russia have developed greater economic ties. The incident that started the problem is not something you can dismiss, killing someone with Nuclear Material in London the Capital of the UK. In the Cold War days that could have been seen as an Act of War. Views is a realist but there are lines you do not cross in covert action in another country, nuclear use is one of them, what if the operation had killed more people or a dirty bomb situation had developed. The UK government has to be firm follow its present policy but on the other hand back channels should be in constant use, the world is very dangerous at the moment, talking is important in this age of mass terrorism.