Epstein Secrets

When two NSA analysts, William Martin and Bernon Mitchell, defected to Russia in the 1960s and accused the

e was | | Epst_9780451494566_2p_all_r1.z.indd 187 @ HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_019675 9/29/16 5:51PM | | 188 | HOW AMERICA LOST ITS SECRETS the CIA officer Harold Nicholson, in 1996. Before it could expand its espionage capabilities, it needed to build a network of Russian agents in the United States. For this network, i

defectors denounced the NSA’s activities. Martin told how the NSA breached interna- tional laws by spying on Germany, Britain, and other NATO allies. Mitchell, for his part, suggested that the NSA’s practice of break- ing international laws could ignite a nuclear war. Indeed, he justi- fied their joint defe

s, and cultural exchanges. They therefore tended to recruit their coun- terparts in adversary services. In this regard, the successful entrapment of Harold Nicholson in the 1990s is highly instructive. From his impressive record, he seemed an unlikely candidate for recruitment. He had been a super- patriotic Ameri

FAS, Oct. 5, 2015. 219 William Martin and Bernon Mitchell: David P. Mowry, “Betrayers of the Trust,” Crypto

nd in Russian Prison,” New York Times, June 4, 1992. 220 He was found dead: Edward Jay Epstein, “The Spy Wars,” New York Times, Sept. 28, 1980. 222 Harold Nicholson: Elizabeth Farnsworth, “Update on the Case of CIA Agent Harold Nicholson,” PBS (transcript), Nov. 19, 1996. See also “Affidavit in Sup- port of Compl

proceeded to denounce the NSA’s activities. Martin told how the NSA breached international laws by spying on Germany, Britain and other NATO allies. Mitchell, for his part, suggested that the NSA’s practice of breaking international laws could ignite a nuclear war. Indeed, he justified their joint defectio

tablishing spies in CIA, FBI, NSA and other American intelligence agencies. The SVR’s last known (or caught) mole in US Intelligence was CIA officer Harold Nicholson in 1996. Before it could now expand its espionage capabilities. It needed to build a network of Russian sleeper agents in the United States. For this