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Ames A Double Agent Essay

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Ames was a key point for the Central Intelligence Agency’s ability to detect penetration by a double agent within its ranks. His background had given instances where a person who had addiction issues could have been a direct target for FISS agents to recruit to become a double agent. Within his admittance to the CIA, Ames had been appraised as a person who was a friendly outgoing person, leading to his position of an Operation Officer. His time in the CIA though showed his flaws as well as personal life leading to issues where he could have been identified as a potential vulnerable person to be recruited by the Soviets. His blatant actions where he was not particularly paying attention to security risks as well as leaving sensitive documents …show more content…

The position that Hanson held not only allowed for access to sensitive information dealing with counterintelligence operations but also with the assets that were working for the Soviets. The issues that lay within Hansen’s personal assessments throughout his career showed for potential to lead to a FISS determining him a potential vulnerability to be exploited, one of these being his arrogance. He also has instances where he accessed information on Soviet CI documents which lead to nothing on the part of his superiors. This should have been a key indication of potential recruitment of a FISS to access information on CI documents. One of the largest issues that are seen in the Hansen case is that previous identifying indicators of espionage had no bearing on Hansen conducting espionage. One of the deficiencies seen in Hansen’s conduct of espionage was the inability for the FBI to detect the intrusions at the time, which was based solely on trust. What could have detected these espionage operations conducted by Hansen, were periodic investigations as well as period polygraph testing in order to determine his intentions. What could have assisted as well, is the use of these periodic investigations after the key incidents that should have placed him on the radar for suspicious

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