Devine applies the lessons of the Cold War to todays great power struggles as only an insider, spymaster, practitioner could do. Policymakers should act on Devines message: The threat is clear, the challenge unrelenting, and the resolve to counter it is paramount.
Jami Miscik, vice chairman of Kissinger Associates
Just in time, a splendid intelligence perspective on thug Putins determination to get even with us for the Russian loss of the Cold War.... The spy history included here is necessary to illustrate that Russian leadership still employs nasty means, from murder to manipulation, to undermine democracy. Only the nave and inept will fail to heed this message.
Tom Twetten, former CIA deputy director of operations and chief of the Near East division
Spymasters Prism is a must-read, and the title says it all. The Cold War is not over. The actors may have changed, but the goal remains the same. Jack Devine is a real spymaster, beginning his career as a young CIA operations officer who rose to the highest ranks of the CIA . This book belongs on everyones shelf.
Sandra Grimes, CIA Russian operations specialist and coauthor of Circle of Treason: CIA Traitor Aldrich Ames and the Men He Betrayed
Jack Devines comprehensive history of Russian intelligence efforts against the United States and the West could not be more timely. As amply noted in the book, election meddling, disinformation, and assassination attempts are all modern descendants of a long Russian tradition of espionage and subversion that has been renewed with a vengeance today. Devines highly readable style and insider experience in intelligence make this must-read study a persuasive warning to implement the measures he suggests to thwart this threat to our national security.
Michael Sulick, former director of the U.S. National Clandestine Service
Told with the immediacy of an eyewitness, Devine is a keen observer of the events and personalities that have shaped U.S. intelligencefrom the treachery of spies such as Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen to the CIA s Cold War covert operations in Afghanistan. It is a remarkable volume, told by one of Americas great spymasters, that will appeal to both the intelligence professional and the armchair operative alike.
Rollie Burans, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and former CIA senior executive official
Devines extraordinary career rising to master spy gives the reader multiple glimpses across geographic boundaries into intelligence operations from the optic of a practitioner. From the armchair student of foreign policy to the professional spy wannabe, Devines narrative of Russias obsession with the West and the United States should be mandatory reading.
David R. Shedd, thirty-three-year CIA career case officer and former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Spymasters Prism
The Fight against Russian Aggression
Jack Devine
Potomac Books
An imprint of the University of Nebraska Press
2021 by Jack Devine
Cover designed by University of Nebraska Press; cover images: Prism Stocksy United/Sam Burton; shadow figures Stocksy United/Stas Pylypets; all others are from the interior.
Author photo Francesco C. Iacona.
This does not constitute an official release of CIA information. All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) or any other U.S. government agency. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S. government authentication of information or CIA endorsement of the authors views. This material has been reviewed solely for classification.
All rights reserved. Potomac Books is an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Devine, Jack, 1940 author.
Title: Spymasters prism: the fight against Russian aggression / Jack Devine.
Description: Lincoln: Potomac Books, an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020037025
ISBN 9781640123786 (hardback)
ISBN 9781640124530 (epub)
ISBN 9781640124547 (mobi)
ISBN 9781640124554 (pdf)
Subjects: LCSH : Espionage, AmericanRussia (Federation) | Espionage, RussianUnited States. | United States. Central Intelligence Agency. | United States. Department of StateSecurity measures. | CyberterrorismRussia (Federation) | United StatesForeign relationsRussia (Federation) | Russia (Federation)Foreign relationsUnited States.
Classification: LCC JK 468. I 6 D 49 2021 | DDC 327.1273047dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020037025
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
To my wonderful wife, Pat, and to our loving family
and
To all the dedicated men and women of the CIA past, present, and future
My last words to you, my son and successor. Never trust the Russians.
Abdur Rahman Khan, founder of modern Afghanistan
Contents
1. Yalta Conference
2. Oleg Penkovskiys military pass
3. James J. Angleton at Allen Dulless funeral
4. MRBM field launch site in Cuba
5. Arkady Shevchenko at the White House
6. Jack Devine boarding Soviet helicopter
7. Jack Devine in front of KGB headquarters
8. Jack Devine inside KGB headquarters
9. The arrest of Dmitri Polyakov
10. The arrest of Aldrich Ames
11. Sergei Tretyakov at the grave of Konon Molody
12. Vladimir Putins Dresden ID card
13. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki
In so many ways the writing and publication of Spymasters Prism was a team effort. In fact, I sought the support and advice of so many folks that it is hard to list them all. Let me begin where the process began by noting the outstanding support from my great literary agent, Andrew Wylie, who believed in the book from the outset and through thick and thin persisted in finding the right home for itPotomac Books. In this regard, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Potomac editor Tom Swanson for deciding to publish the book.
Because of changing political events at home and in Russia, the book has gone through a major metamorphosis over the past three years, ending in a very different place from where I started. Throughout this process a dedicated team stayed with me in researching, editing, and conceptualizing the book. First and foremost, I would like to tip my hat to Victoria Kataoka, who spent endless hours researching the multiples cases and issues involved in the manuscript, as well as writing and editing her findings with her heart and soul. She was backed up by Conway Irwin, Susan Varisco, Amanda Mattingly, Aaron Springer, and Stephanie Danyi, who tackled various substantive aspects of the manuscript, adding their excellent thoughts, suggestions, and writing. Sarah Crichton and Michael Signorelli also contributed their thoughts and insightful feedback, especially relating to the thematic structure of the text.
In addition to conducting exhaustive research, I wanted to make sure that I had the facts just right and turned to several of the most respected CIA and State Department experts who had firsthand knowledge of the historical cases, personalities, and foreign policies described in the book. These experts included Burton Gerber, Sandy Grimes, Jami Miscik, David Shedd, Mike Sulick, Tom Twetten, Marty Roeber, Paula Doyle, and Ambassador Frank Wisner. I also turned to many friends to get their valuable feedback, including Robert Dilenschneider, Joe Finder, Rollie Burans, David Ebershoff, Kathy Lavinder, Lisa Carroll, and John Hughes. I also would like to express special appreciation to my longtime friend and business partner Stanley Arkin, who provided great encouragement and support throughout the writing of the book.
