Summary of "It's Hard to Catch a Mole | Chapter 7.5 BONUS" from The Redefector

Episode Release Date: April 30, 2025
Host: Julie Cohn
Episode Title: It's Hard to Catch a Mole | Chapter 7.5 BONUS

Introduction

In this bonus episode of The Redefector, host Julie Cohn delves deeper into the intricate and perilous aftermath of Vitaly Yurchenko's high-profile defection and subsequent re-defection back to Moscow. This episode unpacks the chaos within the CIA as they grapple with a potential mole amidst a series of shocking asset losses during the mid-1980s.

Yurchenko's Defection and Re-defection

The episode begins with a recap of Vitaly Yurchenko’s initial defection to the United States, which was met with great enthusiasm by the CIA due to his high-ranking position within the KGB. However, his subsequent re-defection back to Moscow plunged the Agency into turmoil.

Julie Cohn [01:06]:
"Vitaly Yurchenko had redefected back to Moscow almost immediately. The CIA was besieged with finger-pointing and inquiries, investigations, and Senate hearings."

The Disappearance of CIA Assets

Concurrent with Yurchenko's actions, the CIA faced the alarming disappearance of multiple assets. Over several months in 1986 alone, key operatives such as Cowell, Eastbound, and Top Hat were arrested, tortured, and executed by the KGB, deepening suspicions of an internal leak.

Julie Cohn [03:20]:
"These men who knowingly risked their lives to help the CIA were then executed."

The Challenge of Identifying a Mole

The disappearance of assets despite Yurchenko’s cooperation raised critical doubts within the intelligence community. It became evident that Yurchenko might not have revealed the entire truth, suggesting the existence of another, unidentified leak within the CIA.

Julie Cohn [04:30]:
"Was Vitaly Yurchenko telling the whole truth? And if not... What had he been sent to hide?"

Safeguards Implemented by Burton Gerber

Burton Gerber, head of the Soviet East European division, took drastic measures to contain the damage. He implemented stringent security protocols, including enhanced compartmentalization of information and the establishment of a secure "back room" for handling sensitive communications.

Julie Cohn [06:50]:
"Burton Gerber... felt an incredible personal responsibility for the safety of anyone who worked for the CIA."

The Introduction of New Walk-ins: Mr. X and Another

Amidst efforts to identify the leak, two new Soviet officials, including a mysterious Mr. X, volunteered to the CIA. Mr. X claimed that the KGB had intercepted CIA communications, potentially explaining the loss of assets. However, his claims further complicated the search for the true mole.

Julie Cohn [08:09]:
"Mr. X implied that the KGB had found access to the CIA's secret cable traffic."

The Canary Trap Method

To test the integrity of their communication channels, the CIA employed the canary trap method, sending deliberately false information to various agents to identify who might be leaking sensitive data. However, the method initially failed to reveal the mole.

Paul Redmond [13:07]:
"I ran out of crap to make up, so I just started punching in numbers so it looked as though it was super deciphered."

The Collapse of the Task Force's Investigation

Despite intense efforts, the CIA’s task force, led by Jean Verdefey, struggled to make progress. Limited resources, outdated protocols, and internal skepticism hindered their ability to identify the mole, leading to significant frustration among key officers like Paul Redmond.

Paul Redmond [17:18]:
"Paul basically penned a temper tantrum in letter form... I believe the explanation is there's a spy here, and we got to start taking a look at it."

The Legacy of James Jesus Angleton

A significant barrier to the investigation was the lingering influence of James Jesus Angleton, the former head of CIA counterintelligence. His paranoia about moles and deceptive operations had left a lasting impact on the Agency, fostering an environment of distrust and skepticism that hampered effective mole hunts.

Julie Cohn [22:53]:
"James Angleton was a brilliant, eccentric spycatcher... His paranoia took over the agency during his tenure."

The Soviet Deception Campaign

The episode highlights the sophisticated deception tactics employed by the KGB to obfuscate their true intentions and protect their mole. Operations like Mr. X and Prologue were deliberate attempts to mislead the CIA, making the mole hunt increasingly complex.

Paul Redmond [36:35]:
"Russians are savvy enough to understand that wouldn't last forever, but it did buy them time and have us chasing our tails other places."

Geopolitical Distractions: Iran-Contra and Soviet Collapse

External events, notably the Iran-Contra affair, further distracted the CIA from its mole hunt. The scandal consumed government attention and resources, delaying critical investigations into the internal leak.

Paul Redmond [50:32]:
"It diverted the CIA. It diverted us, everybody, the senior leadership in the government, everybody."

The Division within the CIA and the Path Forward

Internal conflicts within the CIA emerged as older guard members clashed with new leadership over the perception of the Soviet threat. Paul Redmond's unwavering focus on the 1985-86 losses eventually led to his removal from the division, highlighting the institutional challenges in addressing the mole issue.

Paul Redmond [54:30]:
"You are becoming precisely like the people I came here to fight... You are becoming like our enemy."

Conclusion and Tease for Next Episode

The episode concludes by revealing that the elusive mole was someone within the SE Division known to many familiar figures in the series. This revelation sets the stage for the next installment, promising to uncover the identity and motives behind the CIA’s greatest traitor.

Julie Cohn [57:00]:
"The leak? It was a mole. A person someone in the SE Division knew well. And someone you guys actually know pretty well by now too."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Paul Redmond [05:34]:
  "Quietly sitting in my office as head of SCCI. So the phone rings and it's Margie Griner, Claire's secretary. And I could hear screaming in the background."

• Paul Redmond [07:16]:
  "So I get to Dulles... I gotta get on that flight."

• Paul Redmond [13:21]:
  "I drank my way across the Atlantic as I always did."

• Paul Redmond [16:16]:
  "Frankly, it was Paul Redmond who started the whole thing."

• Paul Redmond [25:14]:
  "It just kept adding up... I started making a sting."

• Paul Redmond [31:25]:
  "What does it mean to hide reality, to mask what you're really doing?"

• Paul Redmond [43:27]:
  "Everything is an operational game that they're very good at, too."

• Paul Redmond [55:39]:
  "They're not even close to us. Not even freaking close."

Key Takeaways

1. Complexity of Mole Hunts: The episode underscores the immense challenges the CIA faced in identifying a mole amidst sophisticated Soviet deception tactics and internal mistrust rooted in past experiences.

2. Impact of Leadership Legacies: The shadow of James Angleton’s paranoia significantly affected the Agency's counterintelligence operations, creating an environment where trust was scarce, and mole hunts were fraught with difficulties.

3. Soviet Deception Prowess: The KGB’s strategic use of deception operations like Mr. X and Prologue diverted CIA resources and attention, complicating efforts to uncover internal leaks.

4. Geopolitical Distractions: Major events like the Iran-Contra affair diverted critical attention and resources away from the pressing issue of the CIA’s internal security breach, delaying resolution.

5. Internal Conflict and Bureaucratic Hurdles: The clash between the older guard and new leadership within the CIA highlighted institutional resistance to change and acknowledgment of persistent threats, further impeding effective investigations.

Conclusion

This bonus chapter of The Redefector offers a riveting exploration of the CIA's tumultuous efforts to uncover a mole during one of the most challenging periods of the Cold War. Through detailed discussions and firsthand accounts, Julie Cohn paints a vivid picture of the internal strife, strategic missteps, and external pressures that culminated in a near-catastrophic intelligence failure. As the series progresses, listeners can anticipate uncovering the identity of the mole and understanding the broader implications of this espionage debacle.

For those intrigued by this deep dive into Cold War espionage, stay tuned for the next episodes of The Redefector as Julie Cohn continues to unravel the intricate web of deceit and betrayal surrounding the Vitaly Yurchenko case.