Moscow Rules: Spy Tradecraft

Moscow Rules: Spy Tradecraft
The CIA refers to its research and analysis as tradecraft. There is no way that doing CIA-type research of a foreign nation’s open source literature is related to tradecraft. The CIA also prefers satellites and high tech gear for its exaggerated production of information extracted from the airways. That is why certain rail yards in Maryland are notable for the fact that hundreds of box cars are parked their which contain millions of tapes, backlogged dozens of years. The CIA has simply not had time to translate and study all that corroding “intelligence”.Tradecraft is employed by spies who are carrying out intentions related espionage that involves other people. Regardless of the constant repetition of CIA propaganda that OSINT in superior to HUMINT, HUMINT provides secrets and intentions related data which can never come from OSINT. HUMINT (human intelligence sources) are far superior to OSINT (CIA’s library research) because when a spy deals with people, their rumors, bits of data, secret documents and plans, the material is far more valuable than written provocation in the form of propaganda. The most effective type of tradecraft is Russia’s tradecraft which is referred to as Rules of Conspiracy or Moscow Rules.Tradecraft can be most simply defined as the source exploitation, self protective and communications methods that an intelligence agent uses in the performance of their duties. Tradecraft is more than a combination of good common sense, hundreds of years of experience and general security procedures that are common to espionage agencies and organizations throughout the world. Tradecraft is the engine that runs espionage and the best tradecraft inevitably wins. The basics of good tradecraft are fairly easy to learn and will keep spies safe with methods that make “street smarts” look like child’s play. If an agent is going to meet a person who has information (what is called a ‘source’ or informant), he doesn't just walk out the door of his home and go meet him. There are security procedures he must follow in order to insure the maximal probability of success/survival. These procedures include the variety of methods he would use to travel to the meeting, how to use counter surveillance, how he secures his communications, protects information and how he goes about day to day activities. Many Soviet spies recruit a local trusted communist as their sex partner to increase cover and security and may provide, off the record, safe houses. Yet, that girlfriend, or series of girl friends, is never privy to the entire picture. For example a spy may pose as a seller of industrial processes who occasionally has to conduct corporate espionage which is a whiter shade of pale when compared to espionage or treason, which in sane countries is punishable by death. Soviet spies sometimes import a female agent disguised as a wife or girlfriend and of course they participate in all the perks of such relationships. Soviet spies are infamous for always living under covers that are accompanied by the good life and La Dolce Vita. Soviet spies are never impeded by their “good life” abroad, as long as they follow Moscow Rules. Most active sexual beings are not suspected of spy work.The term Tradecraft is a spy term referring to trained spy skills which should include operational, deception and net management principles derived from hundreds of years of knowledge and experience. It is how spies are trained to do things and the procedures may seem complicated at first. However, with proper training and constant practice, they become second nature and sometimes result in subconscious implementation. Under pressure, the spy relies on his training and experience to get him through the tough times. Espionage practitioners of excellent tradecraft are usually excellent HUMINT agencies too, and regardless of the CIA’s propaganda to the contrary, HUMINT is the superior form of espionage.Tradecraft gives spies an established, safe way of doing their job because spies have to keep people from knowing what they are really up to. Spies must go about their intelligence work without drawing attention to themselves or establishing any noticeable patterns that could be seen as suspicious or strange. That means that legends, artifacts, identity changes and immediate recognition of environmental cues of safety or danger must be taught to spies. The USSR and England were heretofore renowned for their tradecraft, until England was taken over by the Marxist PC Labor Party. Now only the tradecraft of the USSR (the Russian Federation) remains the best in the world.