I have to admit that I was surprised when a friend contacted me to tell me that Edward Snowden used a clip of an interview that I did with Chris Inglis, former deputy director of the NSA, in an interview of him at South by Southwest.
For some reason, Snowden does not want people to think that he was a Russian agent, and Inglis's comments support that belief. That being said, it is important to realize why this is incredibly irrelevant.
Snowden using valuable time during an interview to contend he was never a Russian agent is an example of him trying to confuse his actions. It in no way changes the damages caused or the crimes committed. It might matter in how he is prosecuted, but it has no bearing on any significant aspect of his crimes.
The agent might or might not be aware that he or she is providing information to a foreign spy depending upon how the operative approaches the agent. An operative is much more of a puppet master than a James Bond.
Many operatives are under diplomatic cover, but some operatives are also under what is referred to as non-official cover (NOCs). Valerie Plame, whose cover was blown by the George W. Bush administration for political retribution, is an example of a NOC. She worked for a variety of front operations around the world, but had primary responsibility to gather information.
Regarding Snowden, Inglis stated during the interview that Snowden's actions were too haphazard to be planned, implying that Snowden was not an official Russian agent. However, the fact that Snowden was not an agent in no way changes the fact that he intentionally committed espionage and treason, and can therefore be considered a traitor. The fact he asked for asylum in Russia makes him a defector.
And for the record, he is not stuck in Russia as he can just walk to the U.S. embassy and turn himself in. (Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a passport to American actor Steven Segal. I'm sure he will give Snowden a passport as well, if he asks.)
Remember, Snowden has specifically stated that he applied for a job at Booz Allen so he would have better access to steal information. That is a clear statement of planning and intent to target and steal information. While it doesn't matter whom his intended customer was, the fact he chose to go to China to turn over information to a third party when he had the opportunity to meet journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras anywhere else in the world speaks to his intent.
Snowden's haphazard actions might demonstrate he wasn't an official Russian agent, but the impact was the same. The distinction doesn't matter. Now, anyone with minimal knowledge would have plotted a cleaner defection. But just because he was not good at it does not mean he is not a traitor and defector.
I will, however, add that the fact that Snowden was not a Russian agent before leaving the U.S. doesn't help him, but it is stupid of him to highlight this. In the world of espionage, even members of Russian intelligence agencies would not have much respect for him. While they welcome abusing his status and information, Snowden is a traitor and defector to the espionage world as a whole. He would be perceived as being willing to betray them even quicker than he betrayed the United States.
There is a generally accepted unofficial rule that intelligence agencies do not extradite foreign agents who defect to them. Even despite the lack of respect, they don't want to discourage future agents from working with them. Snowden has excluded himself from such protection, though, so anytime Putin wants to hand Trump a big win, he can hand over Snowden without violating protocol.
So no, Edward Snowden might not have been a Russian agent. But he is a Russian stooge, and a traitor and defector by default.
Ira Winkler is president of Secure Mentem, a security awareness company. He is one of the foremost experts in the human elements of cybersecurity and the author of several books, most recently "Advanced Persistent Security." He has previously worked for the National Security Agency and served as president of the Internet Security Advisors Group, chief security strategist at HP Consulting and director of Technology of the National Computer Security Association. He has also served on the graduate and undergraduate faculties of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. He and his work have been featured in a variety of media outlets including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle and Forbes, among others.
The views of contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.
View original post here:
Snowden wasn't a Russian agent, but a traitor just the same - The Hill (blog)
- New York Times pushes clemency for Edward Snowden. Justified? (+video) [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Napolitano Says No Clemency for Edward Snowden [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Hero Edward Snowden? [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- What to do about Snowden: The NY Times gets it right [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Snowden 'an aberration': Booz Allen CEO [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Will Obama Help Edward Snowden? - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- 2 Newspapers Call For Clemency For Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Editorials Argue Why Edward Snowden Should Get Clemency - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- EDWARD Snowden - IS HE A HERO OR A TRAITOR??? - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Snowden seeks extra Russian protection after U.S. threats [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden denies that he's a Russian spy [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Snowden Denies Working as Foreign Spy, New Yorker Reports [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Glenn Greenwald I Defend Edward Snowden Like MSNBC Defends Obama "24 Hours A Day" - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Former CIA insider on Sochi Olympics security, Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Airdate : January 4, 2014 : Clemency for Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- #10 Edward Snowden a Hoax?? Rockefeller: Human Cloning in Film Documentary Series Jan 20 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Double Standards - Edward Snowden: Traitor or hero - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden NSA Spying HOAX BUSTED fraud Jan 19 2014 Rockefeller net Ron Rand Paul Breaking News - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Philip and Edward Snowden. - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Did Snowden Act Alone? - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Denies Russian Spy Theory - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Coastal Today Show, January 20 - 26, 2014 | Full Episode - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- BREAKING! Edward Snowden LIVE in New York Snowed-in Snowden Blizzard Snow Storm - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- New York Times editorial defends Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- The People's Republic of Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Snowden says mass collection must end [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Russian lawmaker says Snowden asylum period to be extended [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Snowden Says Whistle-Blower Law Gaps Preclude His Return [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Denies 'Stealing' NSA Co-Workers' Passwords [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Asylum in Russia Extended [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: 'Not Possible' to Return to U.S. Now [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- What Do We Know About Edward Snowden? Webster G. Tarpley - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- On Edward Snowden, Privacy, NSA, and Accountability - Quick Thought #632 - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden is a SPY? How do you kill a spy? - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Scooter and Snowden [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: Did the American whistleblower act alone? [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Snowden Says Whistle-Blower Law Gaps Preclude Return [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Hükümete protesto, Snowden'e destek - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden NSA leaker asks for extra security after receiving death threats from US officials !! - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Snowden says officials want to kill him [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- edward_snowden_portrait_twitter_reuters.JPG [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: There Are 'Significant Threats' To My Life [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Snowden Says ‘No Doubt’ NSA Engages in Industrial Spying [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Alex Jones Show Friday 1 24 14 Piers Corbin - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- The People's Republic of Edward Snowden part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Snowden interview turns up few key revelations [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- edward-snowden-reuters-120313.JPG [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- German Television To Air NEW Edward Snowden Interview TONIGHT - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden is nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden Nominated by Norwegian Lawmakers for Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Nobel Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden Gets Nobel Peace Prize Nomination From Norwegian MP - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- BREAKING: Edward Snowden Nomination For Nobel Peace Prize! - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Psychic Human ETs - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Report puts Snowden-like leaks as No. 2 threat to US security [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Why Silicon Valley sticks up for Snowden [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- UK spy chief to step down: GCHQ boss Iain Lobban leaves in wake of Edward Snowden NSA leaks - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Is Edward Snowden Behind Target Hacking? - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden: NSA Mining App Data to Track Targets - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- [CCTV FOOTAGE]Edward Snowden Gunshot January 31, 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Obama administration nominates new NSA director - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden nominated for Nobel Peace Prize: NSA whistleblower has exposed US spying - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Norwegian Nobel nomination called into question - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden the Peace Prize Winner? - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden, a Party to Subverting Nations in Latin America [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: World's most wanted man [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- Politicians attack Great Barrier Reef, Edward Snowden and TV Reporter - TFU Friday - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- WikiLeaks, Greenwald Blast Guardian Journalist’s Book On ‘FSB Prisoner’ Snowden [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Killing Edward Snowden on Occupy The Microphone - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden January 25, 2014 Interview Links - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Documents reveal Canadian Spies Exist! - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- 20140203 - Barking at the moon - Video [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Snowden aftermath: Defense contractors revamp policies, practices [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Booz Allen Exec Describes How Snowden Stole Millions of Documents [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]