Did you know that there is a particular formula for
operative and agent recruitment into an intelligence organization? It is quite malevolent. The four following elements bear an uncanny
resemblance to the methods used by cults:
1. Minimize the operative's sense of self-worth. According to E. Drexel Godfrey, Jr., former Director of Current Intelligence at CIA, handlers are painstakingly trained in techniques that convert an operative into a "submissive tool", stripping away resistance and deflating his perception of his own value.
2. Know and control every element of the operative's personal life. William Hood, CIA, mentions that the handler's first task is to "maneuver the operative into a position where there is nothing he can hold back - not the slightest scrap of information nor the most intimate detail of his personal life." He says that "no espionage service can tolerate the merest whiff of independence or reserve on the part of an agent."
1. Minimize the operative's sense of self-worth. According to E. Drexel Godfrey, Jr., former Director of Current Intelligence at CIA, handlers are painstakingly trained in techniques that convert an operative into a "submissive tool", stripping away resistance and deflating his perception of his own value.
2. Know and control every element of the operative's personal life. William Hood, CIA, mentions that the handler's first task is to "maneuver the operative into a position where there is nothing he can hold back - not the slightest scrap of information nor the most intimate detail of his personal life." He says that "no espionage service can tolerate the merest whiff of independence or reserve on the part of an agent."
When a handler can identify that an agent has been disobedient, they can use this as a leverage
point for controlling him. According to
James Angleton, Hood's former boss in counterintelligence, "Whatever lure
is used, the point of the sting is to make it impossible for the recruit to
explain his activities to his superiors. He is compromised, not so much by his
original indiscretion, but for failing to report it."
3. Facilitate the operative to engage in self deception. Miles Copeland, CIA, writes: "As quickly as possible, the principal must enable the operative to deceive himself into believing that he would have become an agent even had he not been caught with his pants down, and that what he is doing is justifiable on its own merits."
4. Convince the operative that the operative's safety and well-being and the well-being of his family are more important to the organization than any information he may provide. Miles Copeland, CIA, mentions that, "maintaining such an attitude might occasionally mean passing up some item of tremendous importance, but in the long run it pays off because it keeps the agent feeling safe and happy."
3. Facilitate the operative to engage in self deception. Miles Copeland, CIA, writes: "As quickly as possible, the principal must enable the operative to deceive himself into believing that he would have become an agent even had he not been caught with his pants down, and that what he is doing is justifiable on its own merits."
4. Convince the operative that the operative's safety and well-being and the well-being of his family are more important to the organization than any information he may provide. Miles Copeland, CIA, mentions that, "maintaining such an attitude might occasionally mean passing up some item of tremendous importance, but in the long run it pays off because it keeps the agent feeling safe and happy."
David Perry put together an excellent academic piece about the ethics of espionage and covert action. It terrifies me.
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