Tag Archives: espionage
It’s time to move again
Just as he was about to take the stairs up to his apartment on the second floor, leaving the old-fashioned and small elevator for those who might need it more, the concierge stopped him: “Un momento, I have something for you.” This was nothing … Continue reading
“The Cold War Swap” by Ross Thomas
There is probably no better time than now to read a novel about two NSA employees who have absconded to the Soviet Union and about the US government’s attempts to get them back. Yes, I wrote Soviet Union instead of Russia, … Continue reading
Film Review: “Argo”
When I was in prison in Iran in 2009, I was hoping for someone like Tony Mendez to burst open the door to my cell and to whisk me to a waiting helicopter. Except that I hadn’t heard of him at the … Continue reading
Sad Things (9) BND palm tree
One of two alibi trees in front of an ugly concrete block which will house the BND, Germany’s Intelligence Service, in Berlin. This one tree is even worse than if there was no tree at all. It’s like rubbing it … Continue reading
Inside Al-Qaeda
“Here you are, Emir: the drink that you requested. Cold.” Ahmed smiled as he offered the canned beverage to the older and bearded man sitting on the floor among some pillows and books. His smile could easily have been mistaken for … Continue reading
US hikers sentenced to 8 years in Iranian prison
Two young Americans who had been arrested by an Iranian border patrol while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan and who have been held in prison in Iran for more than two years have now been sentenced to eight years in prison for … Continue reading
Mossad’s Ark
Given the Arab countries’ continuing contest to outdo each other with their suspicions against Israel, it was only a matter of time until someone would try beat Egypt’s claim that the Israeli security service Mossad was behind lethal shark attacks: … Continue reading
“The Foreign Correspondent” by Alan Furst
I like spy novels and I have always longingly admired the profession of foreign correspondents. As I finally wanted to read one of Alan Furst‘s spy novels, all set against a historical background, it was therefore natural for me to … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 