9) The Taste of Poison

Summary

Podcast Summary: To Die For – Episode 9: "The Taste of Poison"

Introduction

In Episode 9 of "To Die For," titled "The Taste of Poison," host Neil Strauss delves deeper into the perilous world of Russian intelligence and sexpionage. This episode continues the harrowing journey of Aliia Roza, the first-ever professed sex spy, as she navigates through the complexities and dangers of her clandestine operations. Joined by Robin Dreek, a seasoned FBI agent with over two decades of experience in recruiting Russian spies, the episode unpacks themes of manipulation, institutional abuse, and the psychological toll on those entangled in espionage.

Reflections from Robin Dreek and Aliia Roza

Early in the episode, Robin Dreek shares his perspective after listening to the initial eight episodes:

Robin Dreek [03:08]: "I just finished listening to the first eight episodes and called to share some thoughts from my experience of 22 years recruiting Russian spies for American intelligence."

Aliia Roza echoes similar sentiments, expressing profound empathy for the trauma endured by sex spies:

Aliia Roza [03:57]: "Your heart just breaks for the trauma, that not just she, but, I mean, they take traffic in human beings. They corrupt them. They destroy these women."

Institutional Abuse and the Seduction Program

The conversation shifts to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB), formerly the KGB. Robin Dreek provides insights into the institutional mechanisms that enable abuse within such organizations:

Robin Dreek [05:02]: "Was this a real institutional program to train sex spies, or was this a way for the higher-ups at the academy to create a ring of abuse with these women by pretending it's that?"

Aliia responds by highlighting the blurred lines between program objectives and abusive practices:

Aliia Roza [05:25]: "I'm going to say yes to both. Because from their context, from where they come from, it's all the same."

She details her training under a female major who was herself a victim, forced to perpetuate the cycle of abuse:

Aliia Roza [05:38]: "There's no checks and balances whatsoever. Their checks and balances is I'm the colonel. I say what goes."

Aliia’s First Mission and Trauma

Aliia recounts her initial assignment within the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN), where she confronts the grim realities of drug-related human trafficking:

Aliia Roza [08:20]: "I would need to go with my team... It's really tough to go there back."

Her first mission leads her to a house teeming with evidence of human trafficking and the tragic loss of innocent lives, including children:

Aliia Roza [12:15]: "I saw, like, killed, overdose, like, bodies of kids... it was awful. I was crying then the whole evening."

This experience galvanizes her resolve to make a difference, driven by her father's teachings to protect the vulnerable:

Aliia Roza [14:54]: "I promised myself that I'll do everything to help, whatever it takes."

Confrontation with the Lieutenant General

Empowered by her newfound mission, Aliia confronts her manipulative superior, the Lieutenant General, refusing his inappropriate advances:

Aliia Roza [15:39]: "I'm not doing that. I'm not becoming again someone's... If Cornell doesn't want to protect me anymore, I'll do it myself."

The Lieutenant General's veiled threats highlight the deadly stakes of defiance within the FSB:

Lieutenant General [16:18]: "If you think that you can be clever than me, this is not possible. ... you'll be dead."

Escalation of Missions and Ethical Dilemmas

Aliia's missions become increasingly dangerous, culminating in a high-stakes seduction operation targeting a violent criminal. She meticulously plans to incapacitate him using a covert drug:

Aliia Roza [27:44]: "I said, just drink it and I will do massage straight away."

The success of this mission is marred by uncertainty as the target goes missing, leaving Aliia to grapple with the moral ambiguities of her actions:

Aliia Roza [31:56]: "I thought, you know, it could be really bad to me, too, because I was the one who gave him this."

The Predator Strikes Again

Despite initial signs of autonomy, the Lieutenant General reasserts his control by assigning Aliia to a perilous mission in the Chechen war, signaling a new phase of her torment:

Aliia Roza [34:18]: "He is sending me to the Chechen war for me to be killed over there and never come back."

Insights and Analysis by Robin Dreek

Throughout the episode, Robin Dreek provides critical analysis of Aliia's experiences, shedding light on the systemic issues within Russian intelligence:

Robin Dreek [05:25]: "From their context, from where they come from, it's all the same."

He underscores the cyclical nature of abuse and the dehumanization inherent in training sex spies, framing it as both a strategic and morally corrupt practice.

Conclusion and Looking Ahead

Episode 9, "The Taste of Poison," paints a vivid and unsettling picture of the intersection between intelligence operations and personal vendettas within the Russian FSB. As Aliia Roza's story unfolds, the episode highlights the profound psychological and ethical challenges faced by individuals coerced into becoming instruments of state power. The narrative sets the stage for further exploration in Episode 10, promising deeper insights into Aliia's harrowing journey.

Notable Quotes

Aliia Roza [05:38]: "They are like tools. And, you know, I call them screwdrivers and wrenches... It's totally objectified."
Lieutenant General [16:18]: "If you think that you can be clever than me, this is not possible. ... you'll be dead."
Aliia Roza [32:57]: "I never know if they were still straight like that or not. Because, like, it was the job of the cleaners."

Final Thoughts

"The Taste of Poison" intricately weaves personal narratives with broader geopolitical dynamics, offering listeners an immersive experience into the shadowy realms of espionage and the human cost of such operations. Through Aliia's eyes, the podcast sheds light on the often unseen and untold stories of those who serve as the clandestine pawns in the grander schemes of national security.

Listener Advisory

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault that may be intense or triggering for some listeners. Discretion is advised.

Summary

Podcast Summary: To Die For – Episode 9: "The Taste of Poison"

Introduction

Reflections from Robin Dreek and Aliia Roza

Early in the episode, Robin Dreek shares his perspective after listening to the initial eight episodes:

Robin Dreek [03:08]: "I just finished listening to the first eight episodes and called to share some thoughts from my experience of 22 years recruiting Russian spies for American intelligence."

Aliia Roza echoes similar sentiments, expressing profound empathy for the trauma endured by sex spies:

Aliia Roza [03:57]: "Your heart just breaks for the trauma, that not just she, but, I mean, they take traffic in human beings. They corrupt them. They destroy these women."

Institutional Abuse and the Seduction Program

Robin Dreek [05:02]: "Was this a real institutional program to train sex spies, or was this a way for the higher-ups at the academy to create a ring of abuse with these women by pretending it's that?"

Aliia responds by highlighting the blurred lines between program objectives and abusive practices:

Aliia Roza [05:25]: "I'm going to say yes to both. Because from their context, from where they come from, it's all the same."

She details her training under a female major who was herself a victim, forced to perpetuate the cycle of abuse:

Aliia Roza [05:38]: "There's no checks and balances whatsoever. Their checks and balances is I'm the colonel. I say what goes."

Aliia’s First Mission and Trauma

Aliia recounts her initial assignment within the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN), where she confronts the grim realities of drug-related human trafficking:

Aliia Roza [08:20]: "I would need to go with my team... It's really tough to go there back."

Her first mission leads her to a house teeming with evidence of human trafficking and the tragic loss of innocent lives, including children:

Aliia Roza [12:15]: "I saw, like, killed, overdose, like, bodies of kids... it was awful. I was crying then the whole evening."

This experience galvanizes her resolve to make a difference, driven by her father's teachings to protect the vulnerable:

Aliia Roza [14:54]: "I promised myself that I'll do everything to help, whatever it takes."

Confrontation with the Lieutenant General

Empowered by her newfound mission, Aliia confronts her manipulative superior, the Lieutenant General, refusing his inappropriate advances:

Aliia Roza [15:39]: "I'm not doing that. I'm not becoming again someone's... If Cornell doesn't want to protect me anymore, I'll do it myself."

The Lieutenant General's veiled threats highlight the deadly stakes of defiance within the FSB:

Lieutenant General [16:18]: "If you think that you can be clever than me, this is not possible. ... you'll be dead."

Escalation of Missions and Ethical Dilemmas

Aliia's missions become increasingly dangerous, culminating in a high-stakes seduction operation targeting a violent criminal. She meticulously plans to incapacitate him using a covert drug:

Aliia Roza [27:44]: "I said, just drink it and I will do massage straight away."

The success of this mission is marred by uncertainty as the target goes missing, leaving Aliia to grapple with the moral ambiguities of her actions:

Aliia Roza [31:56]: "I thought, you know, it could be really bad to me, too, because I was the one who gave him this."

The Predator Strikes Again

Despite initial signs of autonomy, the Lieutenant General reasserts his control by assigning Aliia to a perilous mission in the Chechen war, signaling a new phase of her torment:

Aliia Roza [34:18]: "He is sending me to the Chechen war for me to be killed over there and never come back."

Insights and Analysis by Robin Dreek

Throughout the episode, Robin Dreek provides critical analysis of Aliia's experiences, shedding light on the systemic issues within Russian intelligence:

Robin Dreek [05:25]: "From their context, from where they come from, it's all the same."

He underscores the cyclical nature of abuse and the dehumanization inherent in training sex spies, framing it as both a strategic and morally corrupt practice.

Conclusion and Looking Ahead

Notable Quotes

Aliia Roza [05:38]: "They are like tools. And, you know, I call them screwdrivers and wrenches... It's totally objectified."
Lieutenant General [16:18]: "If you think that you can be clever than me, this is not possible. ... you'll be dead."
Aliia Roza [32:57]: "I never know if they were still straight like that or not. Because, like, it was the job of the cleaners."

Final Thoughts

Listener Advisory

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault that may be intense or triggering for some listeners. Discretion is advised.

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Summary

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