I don't know as I don't have any clearances to that information. There are laws on the transfer of sensitive technology both industrial and Military that if not usable by Cuba could be sold or transferred to other state actors who are not friendly to the interest of the U.S. Some of the systems in our video games, is not exportable as it can be used in missile guidance. One of the latest toys I have acquired is not exportable, either the item or the specifications, Night Vision Scopes. Stolen industrial secrets, of proprietary manufacturing process's that are patented, and allow for counterfeiting of products, and avoidance of royalties. There are thousands of thing and information that are useful, that are sought by spies.
But if you look at Cuba, where do you see them benefiting? They don't seem all that technologically advanced to me. Is their military that advanced?
Not the point. It doesn't matter if they passed the information to Aunt Bee and she tucked it away in her hat for nobody to see. The point is: they had access to TOP SECRET information, they violated their oath, they passed the information along for some sort of gain (personal or ideological) and betrayed the USA. ~String
No, I understand and they should be dealt with accordingly. There should be a lot of investigating on how they pulled it off for 30 yrs. I'm just wondering how big a deal is it that they spied for Cuba.
concidering the CIA, its kind of hypocritical for the population to make a huge song and dance about it. Yes its the law and should be tried in court but a huge show of "moral outrage" is kind of stupid over something like this, its just part of the game.
Ahhh. I got'cha. Indeed. But perhaps it has something to do with your next point. (i.e. we probably weren't looking because they aren't that big a deal) Who knows? Probably not at all, anymore! Before 1990, it probably meant a lot more than it does today. That said, Cuba is still close to Russia, it's good friends with Venezuela, North Korea and China and has a chummy relationship with Iran. Given those close ties, it becomes clear how and why this could end up being a VERY big deal. ~String
Two thoughts come to mind: I'm not seeing any outrage, just shock (as in: Why for Cuba? and [to quote Orly] What was the possible gain?) They were spying on us, so it is going to be perceived as outrageous because (to draw a parallel) it's always worse when it's your house that's robbed. Indeed. And it appears that this couple lost, BIG TIME. While you are right, it's all part of "the game", these people will never see the light of day. Nor should they. But Americans should not be so aghast, our agencies have bought MANY people in other countries. Who knows, if these two are low-level enough, we may trade them for other high level prisoners in Cuba (if they have any). ~String
there is a difference to robbing a house though. I mean if it was a pair of bank robbers who had there house robbed people would just find it funny and its really the same thing rather than the little granny on the courner getting her house robbed.
If the Cubans know what the Americans know (or believe) about the Cubans (yes, it's convoluted) it could help their position in any negotiations. For example if you and I are discussing anything and you know that (for example) I am addicted to heroin you can use that as leverage, (if true and especially if I think it's a secret addiction). But if I find out that you know (or even better, if you believe that but it's not true) then I can use your belief/ knowledge against you. If I know everything you know about me I can see where you're coming from and lead you in my desired direction, based on YOUR OWN intelligence. Or they could pass it on/ sell it to anyone else requiring the information.
I thought about them selling the info as well. I was just wondering what info these people had access to that terrorists might want.
Oh heck it can be very subtle: how about if US intelligence indicates that crops are going to be bad, so they (through the UN or whoever) approve a loan. Which turns out not to be needed for food (because the intel is faulty) and can be spent on armed forces?
