The most interesting thing for me is how easily KGB survived the fall of the USSR. Not only did they seamlessly continue all their espionage programs started during the Cold War, but they also easily came back into full power in less than a decade, appointing one of their agents as the ruler of Russia for life.
This shows the power of any major secret service. They can do literally anything they want. They don't care about anything except their own survival, and they will easily adapt to any circumstances and any political climate.
The KGB along with the party and the Soviet Army were kind of the ironic counter part to the balance-of-powers system the US has. Each one had its strengths and weaknesses and they could keep an eye on each other. KGB was special because it had the information, the best educated people, it knew were resources were, how to get to them etc. When people talk about a conspiracy cabal that would control and pull strings behind the scenes, it was that cabal.
Because of the KGB was best positioned to take advantage of the power vacuum and many had turned to grab as many resources as possible after the fall of the Soviet Union. The most patriotic communists had turned super-capitalist practically overnight.
But at the same time, however, by late 80s and 90s few really believed in the "cause" so to speak. They probably all just wanted cushy jobs, fancy apartments and big pensions when they retired. And of course there were a lot of defections.
Even this group of spies from the story, remembering how many were making fun of their stupid and outdated methods, or praising the FBI for uncovering them, was ultimately betrayed by a defector. So was Hanssen.
Wondering if perhaps now SVR is in a better position today, as at least there is no need to pretend do believe in any great communist cause and then be disillusioned later, and defect. Perhaps now it is just business -- "You get a good job and if you betray us we'll find you and sprinkle some Polonium-210 in your tea".
This is why having been born just out of dictatorship in Portugal, and knowing how the McCarthy worked out, why I always wonder how US citizens have this glamours idea that their secret services follow some kind of law, besides their own agenda.
Like many of us, I had family fighting in colonies and know lots of histories from people that were affected by PIDE/DGS or had "nice interviews" with their officers.
I wonder how you can wonder about those days, unless from being part of more younger generations where those days sadly don't mean anything any more.
Do you know that the way PIDE/DGS imprisoned some students is part of the genesis for Amnesty International?
This is a very interesting book analazing and explaining the situation by former chess world champ. G. Kasparov: Winter is comming (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1610396200/).
> This shows the power of any major secret service. They can do literally anything they want. They don't care about anything except their own survival, and they will easily adapt to any circumstances and any political climate.
And that is the reason we should get rid of them. It's anti-democratic in large parts.
This shows the power of any major secret service. They can do literally anything they want. They don't care about anything except their own survival, and they will easily adapt to any circumstances and any political climate.