US began deliberating spy swap well before arrests

Washington Post ^ | 07/09/2010 | JENNIFER LOVEN

[OldDeckHand]

WASHINGTON -- The White House began deliberating a spy swap with Moscow nearly a month ago, well ahead of the arrests of 10 Russians in the United States less than two weeks ago, a White House official said Friday.

[OldDeckHand]

Not really all that surprising.

[EmilyGeiger]

Probably discussing it over the burgers.. I am so ready for 2012.

[hosepipe]

SOooo.. is Boris and Natasha being traded for Roger and Jessica Rabbit?..

[battlecry]

Do you believe this WP story?

[OldDeckHand]

"Do you believe this WP story?"

Generally, I think it's probably accurate. This investigation was underway well before Obama was elected (even elected as Senator). It was only a matter of time until they (the spies) left the country, either because they recognized that they were compromised, or because of their own operation concerns.

Either way, once the Feds knew that some of them were planning on leaving, it was probably smart to snatch them up and trade them for something we wanted - our own spies back. I don't think Obama had any ulterior motive here, other than wanting to minimize the damage done to his beloved arms deal. The timing of this hurts him, not helps him.

Sometimes a spy story is just a spy story.

[DoughtyOne]

You may be right, but I’m quite suspicious of this move to get them out of the country ASAP. What’s the hurry?

We only had them in custody for several days. It takes a considerable amount of time to get all the information you want out of spies. Why didn’t we want to know everything we could have gleaned from them?

If it’s as you say and they were low level, perhaps you’re right. On the other hand, we’ve got a guy in there right now whose buddies like to mingle with the worst sorts, these sorts.

[OldDeckHand]

"What’s the hurry?"

Due process. The clock starts ticking for the government the moment the defendant is arraigned. with every passing moment, the impending discovery motions loom nearer.

The spy swap in '85 happened just as fast, perhaps faster than this one.

[OldDeckHand]

"Why didn’t we want to know everything we could have gleaned from them?"

If you read some of the other stories, it's clear that the FBI had their number years ago, including compromising the Russians communications, and the ability to decipher their cryptology. Essentially, the government already knew everything the spies knew. This wasn't the end of a Russian intel ring, this was the end of a carefully crafted and extremely well-executed US counter-intelligence operation.

[DoughtyOne]

I appreciate the mention. Thank you.

[DoughtyOne]

Well, I appreciate the alternative viewpoint. I’m not completely opposed to it. Good to know...

[Thunder90]

Obama probably knew that the egg to the face was inbound from Holder, and had no way to stop the arrests. Obama did not want the arrests to occur, but had the arrests been stopped, someone would have blown the whistle causing turds to fly into Zero’s face.

Zero was caught in a quandry.

[Track9]

"What’s the hurry?"

I had similar concerns/suspicions. ODH is making a lot of sense. I'm glad for the perspective.

[DoughtyOne]

I believe his explanation probably makes as much or more sense than mine, but I’m still not totally convinced.

With today’s Left it’s hard to rule things out.

Thanks for the note. You take care...

[Track9]

Ditto on the suspicions. I will never trust these people or anyone even remotely sympathetic to them so I’m not ruling anything out (as you). But as ODH said, maybe a spy story is just a spy story.

[SmartInsight]

“Why didn’t we want to know everything we could have gleaned from them?”

Maybe it might embarrass some American citizens to be proven they have been collaborting with the enemy?

[VanShuyten]

I am suspicious, too. We obviously knew about these guys for a long time. Why the sudden arrest and deal? No one is going to believe that Pres. Obama is doing this for national security reasons. I have a couple of theories:

1 - One of the people Russia released is connected to a big donor (or, maybe, actually has some information);

2 - All of the Russian agents worked on Pres. Obama's campaign and have information about foreign funding or fake overseas voters.

3 - One of the Russian agents knew about a personal incident involving our president or the first lady.

Personally, I go for #2

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Track9.

[DoughtyOne]

Yep, that was my take.

[DoughtyOne]

Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

Interesting thoughts. Thank you...