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It's the fastest way. Early 1984 the White House Washington D.C. cIA Director Bill Casey adjusts his large round glasses as he faces US President Ronald Reagan. As you can see, Mr. President, some of the actions the Russians took in going on high alert were very costly. It would suggest a genuine reaction rather than just tokenistic posturing. Then there are the cables that were sent to the KGB residenturas across Europe a few months ago. The able archer NATO war games ended without incident. At the time, the CIA concluded the Soviets odd actions throughout the exercises were just posturing. A complex propaganda game designed to paint the US and as the aggressor. But after pressure from the British and Lieutenant General Leonard Perutz of the US Air Force, Casey agreed to review all of the intelligence data. What he found chastened him. He had to admit to the President that it was possible. The world had been on the brink of nuclear war during the games, but America had been completely unaware of it. Reagan is visibly shocked. His face is pale. But how could the Soviets possibly think we would make the first strike? Casey purses his fleshy lips. He and Reagan have together orchestrated the tough line the US has been taking against the USSR which Reagan has called an evil empire that needs to be dismantled. It appears the aggressive line we have taken against the the USSR has stoked widespread paranoia and fear in Moscow. This has led them to misinterpret many minor actions as indicators of aggression and preparation for war. Reagan looks at the speech on his desk in front of him about defence. He hurriedly crosses out a line in it. Bill this is terrible. Why didn't we know this? KC clears HIS THROAT the only intelligence that indicated our assumptions were wrong came from the British. We now believe they have a source who is a senior KGB officer. They've been telling us the information came from a variety of less well placed sources. I guess we underestimated its credibility as a result. It was only when we put it all together that we realized this is the kind of intelligence we we need. Bill if one thing had tipped those war games the wrong way, it doesn't bear thinking about. Casey nods. He spent years making the CIA a more fearsome proposition in the Cold War. But he had never considered that Soviet fear might be just as dangerous as Soviet aggression. February 1984. Number 10 Downing Street, London. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher listens intently to the head of MI6 traditionally known as C. The Soviet leader, Yuri Andropov has just died and she's keen to understand who is next in line. Konstantin Chernyanka will replace Andropov as General Secretary. But he is old and not a well man. He is likely to be a caretaker while the different factions battle it out. Did Mr. Collins provide this information? C is surprised at the name she has given the unknown agent who warned MI6 about the nuclear near miss of Abel Archer. But she's decided his official codenames, Sunbeam, Nocturn and Tickle, are too ridiculous to use. Er, yes, this comes from Nocturn. Thatcher ponders the mysterious Mr. Collins. She has taken a keen interest in him since Abel Archer. Like President Reagan, she was also horrified at how close they came to nuclear war. She's realized she needs to try and understand the Russian regime better. But she also hates anything that smacks of treachery. And Mr. Collins is a traitor to his own country. Mr. Collins must be taking grave risks to bring us this information. Yes, he faces execution if he is discovered. So why does he do it? Money? Power? We believe he is prompted by ideology, Prime Minister. He wants to undermine his country's corrupt communist regime from within. In doing so, he believes he is not betraying Russia, but serving her. Thatcher considers this and imagines herself in the same situation. She nods briskly and he's quite right, of course. She takes up a pen to make notes on the briefing document. Do give him my sincerest thanks. And please ensure we treat him well. Of course, Prime Minister. A few days later. February 14, 1984 Red Square, Moscow. Margaret Thatcher bows her head respectfully as a coffin draped in red and black is carried past her towards Lenin's tomb. She's wearing an elegant black coat and fur scarf. She is here to pay respects to the recently deceased leader of the Soviet Union, Yuri Andropov. And unlike some of the other dignitaries attending the funeral, she's resisting the urge to chat during the long, drawn out ceremony. When she raises her head, she notices nods of approval from some of the mourners. After the coffin passes, she heads to the funeral reception at the Kremlin. On arrival, her minder ushers her into a side room. Just through here, Prime Minister. From his coat's deep pocket, Thatcher's minder removes a pair of high heel shoes. She hands over her fur lined boots and the hot water bottle concealed under her coat. She checks her reflection, pats a stray hair back into its rigid hairstyle and then reminds herself of Mr. Collins briefing. What to say and do to build rapport with Chernenko, the new Soviet leader. The importance of meeting Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyka. Thatcher walks confidently through the crowd of male leaders in the white and gold hall. And holds out a hand to the elderly leader of the USSR. Mr. General Secretary, please accept the condolences of the people of Great Britain for your country's loss. Up close, she can hear Chernenko's constant wheezing, but his eyes remain sharp and suspicious. We are honoured you came in person. Improving relations between east and west has become a passionate mine. I am confident we can reach an understanding to de escalate the tensions we have seen lately. Chernenka squints at her. That usually means we need to surrender our nuclear weapons while you give up nothing at all. On the contrary, I am of the opinion this constant buildup of weapons does nothing but make us all afraid. The Soviet Foreign Secretary, Andrei Gromyka, who is standing next to Chernenko, leans forward with a sly smile. It is hard to imagine the Iron lady afraid it was your journalists who dubbed me that. But I promise I am a dove of peace. As the Soviets break into genuine smiles, Thatcher can now see the possibility of a thorn in Cold War relations. Once again, the mysterious Mr. Collins has guided her correctly. Now she just needs to meet the younger man he predicts will become the next leader of the ussr. Mikhail Gorbachev. Ten months later December 19, 1984 the Soviet embassy, London There's a buzz of activity consuming the embassy. Mikhail Gorbachev, the youngest member of the Politburo, is visiting London after a personal invitation from Prime Minister Thatcher. The invitation came after Gordievsky told MI6 that the KGB is backing Gorbachev as a future Soviet leader. The acting head of the KGB in London, Leonid Nikitenka, reads a cable and swears. Damn. He shouts across the room. Oleg Gorbachev wants a detailed briefing ahead of his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary tomorrow. What insights can you get? Gordievsky stands and grabs his coat. I'll try and arrange some meetings now. An hour later, Gordievsky is in MI6's west London safe house with his new handler, Simon Brown. Brown hands him over a briefing document that has the Foreign Office crest on it. This is the briefing they just gave the Foreign Secretary. At least they'll be singing from the same hymn sheet. Gordievsky reads through the document and commits it to memory. Then he rushes back to the Soviet Embassy. Back in the KGB's office, Gordievsky translates the memorized Foreign Office briefing into Russian. He has only just finished when Nikitenka rushes in. Comrade Gorbachev wants the briefing now. Is this it? He snaps up Gordievsky's typed notes and quickly reads. He breaks into a smile. Yes, this is exactly what we need. Gordievsky smiles at the thought of how Gorbachev and Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeffrey Howe will now be working off the exact same briefing. A week later, the Soviet Embassy, London Nikita summons Gordievsky into his office and closes the door behind him. The center is pleased with how Comrade Gorbachev's visit went. They have given us both special commendations. Gordievsky smiles. That's wonderful news. His smile fades as he sees the briefing notes he wrote for Gorbachev's meeting laid out on Nikitenka's desk. In the margins, Nikitenka has written numerous notes. Gordievsky and Nikitenka are now rivals. They both hope to become the new boss of the KGB in London. MI6 recently used information from Gordievsky to get the old boss expelled from the UK for spying. Now the British Intelligence Service hopes its agent will fill the vacancy it created. Nikitenka eyes Gordievsky with naked dislike. It was a very good report you did on Geoffrey Howe. It sounded just like a British Foreign Office document. Gordievsky feels adrenaline ripple down his spine. It takes all his self control to laugh as if Nikitenko has just made a joke. Why thank you. But Nikitenko doesn't smile. Gordievsky leaves the office light headed with fear. A few days later, December 1984 MI6 headquarters, London the CIA's station chief in London, Bill Graver, sips a beer and lets his eyes wander the MI6 Christmas party he's attending. Soon he spots his target. The man in charge of the Soviet desk for MI6. He pushes his way through the crowd. The MI6 man spots Graver's approach too late and ends up with his back against the wall as the American deliberately invades his personal space. You need to tell me about this source of yours. This information is going all the way to the President. We need some guarantees. The MI6 man shakes his head with a deprecating smile. As I've said before, I can't. Graver gets even closer so that they are almost nose to nose. Come on, we're not just anybody, are we? What about all those high tech gadgets we give you that you can't afford? The MI6 man deftly steps to the side and takes a breath. And we're very grateful. But I still can't tell you. Do excuse me. As the MI6 man makes a swift getaway, Graver swigs from his beer bottle. He's going to have to tell his CIA bosses that he's failed to find out who The British source is. And that's not going to go down well. CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia Head of the CIA's Soviet Division, Bertin Gerber, raises an eyebrow at the two men opposite him. Now this is a strictly hush hush mission, you understand? Gerber is a legend in the CIA. He successfully recruited and run agents in some of the toughest places in the world for espionage, including Moscow. And like most of the CIA's senior leaders, he's irked that he doesn't know the identity of Britain's Soviet mole. That mole is regularly providing information that goes to the President. But it's embarrassing not knowing where the intel's from. So Gerber's now out to uncover who Britain's agent is. His bosses know what he's doing, but are looking the other way. This delicate mission could seriously harm relations with MI6. Gerber briefs the two officers he's entrusting not to screw it up. I want you two to go through all the intelligence the British have given us over the past 10 years. Look for patterns and similarities. Try and match it to the KGB officers we know of in Europe. Will you do it? The CIA agent tasked with the job looks hesitantly at his boss, who sits next to him. His boss is a man with a short moustache and thick brushed back hair. His name is Aldrich Ames. He nods yes. It's not a problem. We're happy to help. January 1985 A few months later, the MI6 safe house in West London. Gordievsky clinks his champagne glass against Those of his MI6 team, Simon Brown and Valerie Petit. Cheers. Cheers. On a recent trip to Moscow, Gordievsky was told he would be promoted to London station resident. MI6's long game has paid off. The spy they recruited in Copenhagen all those years ago will soon be in charge of all KGB operations in Britain. Petite sips her champagne. This is wonderful news to come back with. I do worry about you. Whenever you return to Moscow. I know. You make me go over the escape plan every single time. Better safe than sorry. Gordievsky's handler, Brown, rubs his hands together in glee. I can't believe it. As resident, you'll have access to all the cipher codes. I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if they make you a general before the year is out. Gordievsky goes pink with pride. But then his face clouds over. Actually, as resident designate, I should have access to the cipher codes already. But Nikitenka is refusing to hand them over. Is that a problem? You were worried he was getting suspicious? No, no, he Just hates the fact that I've been promoted over him. Four months later the Soviet embassy, Washington, D.C. in a secure, windowless basement room, a KGB officer sits opposite an American with a short moustache. The American's name is Aldrich Ames and he works for the CIA. Ames walked into the Soviet Embassy last week offering to sell high level secrets for $50,000. Now he's back for his answer, convinced the CIA have planted listening devices throughout the embassy. The KGB officer doesn't speak. Instead, he writes a note and slides it across the table to Ames. It reads, we are pleased to accept your offer. You will go to lunch with another officer who will give you the money. Ames reads the notes and then scribbles his reply underneath. Okay, thanks. The KGB officer writes a second longer note. Ames already knows what the KGB man will ask. It is the first question any defector or double agent is ever asked. Do you know of any penetrations of our service by the CIA or other agencies? The KGB man slides the question across the table. Ames hesitates for a moment, then writes, yes. High level. Working with MI6, likely based in London. Two days later, the MI6 Safe House West London MI6 officer Valerie Petit sits in a lounge chair, absentmindedly pulling at a stray thread in her woolen skirt. She and fellow MI6 officer Simon Brown are waiting for Gordievsky. He contacted them earlier today asking for an urgent meeting. They both stand when they hear Gordievsky's key in the lock. He is pale and is sweating despite the cool day. My friends thank you for meeting me at such short notice. I have been recalled to Moscow. Petite feels her stomach drop. Why? I don't know. The instruction is from the head of the kgb. I've been told to be thoroughly prepared on British policy. Brown's worried face turns more hopeful. Well, that might not be bad. In fact, it could be great. We know they rate your knowledge highly. Gordievsky paces the room distractedly. Yes, that is true. It's unusual. But there could be any number of reasons for it, and we've had nothing through any other intelligence channel that would indicate there was a problem. Petite gives a sideways glance at Brown. She knows what's going through his head. If they pull Gordievsky right out and there was nothing to worry about, then MI6 will look lose the chance of untold intelligence riches. But if they are wrong, they are sending Gordievsky to his death. Brown studiously ignores Petite's glance. Look, Oleg, it's your call. We'll support you with whatever you want to do. If you want to defect now, just say the word and we'll put it in motion. Your safety is paramount. Gordiev's turns to Brown almost pleadingly. Petit feels sure he wants them to make the decision for him. But neither she nor Brown says anything. Gordievsky goes back to pacing as the minutes tick by. Finally, he stops in front of a window. Through the COVID of some low hanging trees, he can see Kensington Palace Gardens, where children are playing and tourists are wandering. He straightens his back, then turns. I will go back. Petite feels tears rush to her eyes at Gordievsky's raw bravery. She touches his arm gently. I'll make us a cup of tea and then we'll go over the escape plan one more time, shall we? He gives her the ghost of a smile and nods. Two days later, Gordievsky's home in London. Gordievsky polishes his shoes as his wife, Leila carefully folds his shirts for his trip to Moscow. She's excited about his forthcoming meeting with the head of the KGB. Still unaware of his spying for MI6. Layla sees the request as a sign of her husband's growing importance to the kgb. Perhaps he wants your advice. This could be a chance to change the KGB for the better. Gordievsky knows he should say something, but a lump seems stuck in his throat. Their two young daughters race into the room, clamoring for food. Gordievsky puts his shoes down at the sight of them. Oh, my little princesses. Come to Papa, huh? I'm going away, you know. He scoops them up in his arms, but the girls wriggle out of them. No, Papa. We want chocolate. Girls, give your father a proper hug. No, leave them. Chocolate is more interesting than boring. Papa. Huh? Yes, yes. Chocolate. The children race to the kitchen. Leila looks at Gordievsky with concern. Is anything wrong? Of course not. Come here. He hugs her close and kisses her longingly. She smiles at the unexpected display of affection. The children call again. Mama. Go, go. They won't be quiet until you feed them. But instead Layla holds her husband's hands. Oleg, you have bitten your nails. Down to the quick. Gordievsky pulls his hands away. That's the taxi. I'll see you in a few days. He picks up his coat and suitcase and heads out the door for his flight to Moscow and to face whatever is waiting for him there. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to thespywhoondery.com from Wondery this is the second episode in our season, the Spy who Outran the KGB. A quick note about our dialogue we can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history, but our scenes are written using the best available sources, so even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research. The accuracy of Gordievsky's report that Labour leader Michael Foot was regarded by the KGB as an agent of influence remains contested. Foote always denied the claims and successfully sued the Sunday Times for libel in 1995 after it serialized Ole Gordi book, which first made the claims public. It now seems likely that KGB officers in London inflated the extent of their contact with Foote to impress superiors in Moscow, and that Foote had no idea that the KGB regarded him as a potential asset. We used many sources in our research for this season, including the Spy and the traitor by Ben McIntyre and next stop Execution by Oleg Gordievsky. The Spy who is hosted by me, Indra Varma. Our show is produced by Vespucci with writing and story editing by Yellowant for Wondery. For Yellowant, this episode was written by Judy Cooper and researched by Louise Byrne and Marina Watson. Pronunciation guidance from Russ Avery. Our managing producer is Jay Priest for Vespucci. Our senior producer is Ashley Clivery. Our sound designer is Alex Port. Felix Natalia Rodriguez is the supervising producer. Music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Frissonsync. Executive producers for Vespucci are Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turkan. Executive producer for Yellowant is Tristan Donovan. Executive producer Producers for Wondery are Estelle Doyle, Theodora Leludis and Marshall Louis. Wondery plus subscribers can binge full seasons of the Spy who early and ad free on Apple podcasts or the Wondery app.
