New Name, Same Crap
The KGB was split into two major parts after the fall of the Soviet Union: the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (equivalent of the CIA) and the Federal Security Service (equivalent of the FBI). The Western media normally refers to them by their transliterated initials: SVR & FSB.
In Charlie Pierce’s coverage of the ‘Moscow Connection’ the Senate Intelligence Committee proves it has some by talking to Clinton Watts. Mr Watts introduces the concept of Active Measures, which, if you follow the link, you will find goes back a long way. Today many people refer to it as ‘fake news’.
Mr Watts also advised the Senators to follow the trail of Russian deaths, which caught my attention. The Independent confined itself to Russian diplomats, but CNN expanded the field, Five months, eight prominent Russians dead. There should be another one, as Russians like threes. To a Russian 2³ is not as good as 3².
Back when I was in the business there were reports that the KGB was funding the Turkish Grey Wolves. A lot of people downplayed the probability because the Wolves were anti-Communists and neo-Nazis. The KGB would do it just to cause instability. It didn’t make a difference if it directly helped the Soviet Union as long as it disrupted their enemies.
