ABSTRACT

Trust, betrayal, and deception are common elements and recurring themes in the world of espionage. Espionage is a national security crime investigated by counterintelligence (CI) professionals. CI is a discipline nations use to identify and counteract national security threats posed by foreign intelligence services or by individuals engaged in espionage, sabotage, subversion, treason, or terrorism. In the United States, CI is governed by formal guidelines and legislation, which enable a very small group of CI agents within a few government agencies to engage in CI operations, investigations, and activities as permitted by law.