Thread by @NaveedAJamali

For 3 years I watched as Russian military intelligence (GRU) tried to recruit me bc they believed one day I would be a U.S. Navy intelligence officer. It is completely believable the Russians would’ve attempted to do the same here with Cawthorn. A thread

Recruitment of a spy is a long term effort, and Russia is a master of this. 1st step is to find a way to make contact and develop a relationship. The process is slow and tedious, and the Russians are extremely patient. Lastly, few efforts are successful, they cast a wide net.

My recruitment was conducted by a senior GRU intelligence officer. Since my operation I have seen a significant shift by the Russians to use “throw-away” agents who are not affiliated intelligence officers to conduct initial contact. This poses a lower risk of attribution.

A young man who was thinking of running for Congress would certainly have been of interest to Russian intelligence, if only that at some point he may be of use to them. They absolutely invest in people and it is easier to get to a person before they are in a position of power.

I am not suggesting Cawthorn is a Russian agent, rather, that it is absolutely possible that Russian intelligence would’ve targeted him. They did the same w me and I was in the grove to be an intel officer, not a MOC. They collect people and they’re extremely good at it.

Just a reminder; being targeted by a foreign intelligence service is not a crime nor does it make you a bad person. Not reporting foreign contact otoh, is extremely problematic.

If you are a civilian and don’t hold a clearance I am not aware of any requirement to report foreign official contact. Once you start being directed by them, that is a whole different ball game.

If you’ve stumbled upon this thread, for 3 years I worked undercover for the FBI as a double agent, fooling the GRU in thinking they had recruited me as a spy. It was a successful counterintelligence operation against the GRU. Book here amazon.com/How-Catch-Russ…