Episode Details

Summary

Andrew leads a SPY Museum panel discussion between four experts on the most damaging mole in FBI history, Robert Hanssen. This program was in collaboration with CBS/Paramount on their new podcast “Agent of Betrayal"

What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

• The story of Robert Hanssen
• How his colleagues reacted to his betrayal
• A psychological analysis of Hanssen 
• How the Hanssen case has impacted the FBI and U.S. intelligence

Reflections

• Disillusionment and betrayal
• “The child is father of the man”

And much, much more …

Resources 

SURFACE SKIM

*SpyCasts*

• The Counterintelligence Chief with FBI Assistant Director Alan Kohler (2023)
• Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes with Jim Popkin (2023)
• SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” with Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
• America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, FBI Agent Robert Hanssen with Lis Wiehl (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

• Here's the damage notorious Russian spy Robert Hanssen caused the US in over 20 years, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
• How Robert Hanssen Spied for the Soviets, History (2017) [Short article]
• How is a mole different from a spy?, The Times of India (2006) [Short article]

DEEPER DIVE

Books

• Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, C. Walton (Simon & Schuster, 2023)
• A Spy in Plain Sight: The Inside Story of the FBI and Robert Hanssen―America's Most Damaging Russian Spy, L. Wiehl (Pegasus Books, 2022) 
• Spy: The Inside Story of How the FBI's Robert Hanssen Betrayed America, D. Wise (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003)

Primary Sources 

• A Review of the FBI’s Progress in Responding to the Recommendations in the Office of the Inspector General Report on Robert Hanssen (2007)
• The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Voted Today to Begin a Formal Investigation of the Robert Philip Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
• George W. Bush Remarks on the Robert Hanssen Espionage Case (2001)
• Affidavit in Robert Hanssen Spy Case (2001)
• Veteran FBI Agent Arrested and Charged with Espionage (2001)
• Statement of FBI Director Louis J. Freeh On the Arrest of FBI Special Agent Robert Philip Hanssen (2001)