Spy testifying in Terror Case

I found an article, not one especially highlighted in the media--as a matter of fact, I almost missed it altogether--on Foxnews.com. This article out of Miami says that the CIA wants one of their agents to testify in disguise and use a fake name. It also says that if the request was granted, the media would not be allowed to photograph, video, or sketch this covert agent.

This spy's information is actually pretty interesting. Well, ALL of this is fairly interesting to an espionage writer, but what got me is that supposedly this spy has the fingerprints of a 36 year old U.S. citizen on an application for an al-Qaida training camp. The man is charged with being part of a "North American cell supporting Islamic terror groups."

Now, I realize the whole terror plot is a bit...overdone (in fiction, that is), but it's a very real, very serious problem in our world. Our nation has begun to accept that we are too closed-minded and should embrace all faiths, even those that support and encourage (read the Koran if you don't beleive me) the killing of anyone who does not convert (I'm seeing visions from Riddick when the Necromongers insisted, Convert or Die. LOL).

Anyway, this article got my mind to whirling.

Then, I see another article on Foxnews.com. "McConnell Seeks to Boost U.S. Spy Powers" Here is an excerpt: Known as "FISA," the 1978 law was passed to allow surveillance in espionage and other foreign intelligence investigations, but still allow federal judges on a secretive panel to ensure protections for U.S. citizens _ at home or abroad _ and other permanent U.S. residents.

Whoa, talking about encroaching on sacred ground. LOL This is a very touchy, tricky subject. What are your thoughts?? Check out the article.

Wilderness of Mirrors - What is it?

A phrase that refers to
the world of espionage where things are so complicated
with so many loops and tangles
that it becomes impossible to differentiate
disinformation from truth.

As you can see, this is a perfect name for my blog and really, my writing. Writing fiction is a fine-tuned craft of weaving fact with laces of fiction. Or is it vice versa? :-D
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"Shot Russian Intelligence Expert's Wife Challenges Robbery Reports" (Foxnews.com reported March 07, 2007)

Well. Are we surprised? I'm not--I mean, come on! A man whose job is Russian Intelligence is shot in his driveway by two men. Nothing is stolen or missing, despite rumors of earlier reports. Naturally, I can see how and why governments would want this kept quiet. Imagine hearing that two agents just took out your neighbor!!

Paul Joyal's wife is smart, though. She didn't come right out and say it's because of his job. She said, "We really have no idea what the reason was. It could easily have been a random act of violence." She did, however, admit it could also have been the result of his criticism of the Kremlin.

What do you think?

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"Russian Intelligence Expert Shot, Critically Injured, at Home Near Washington"

So reads the headline at Foxnews.com from Sunday, March 04, 2007, about Russian Intelligence expert, Paul Joyal. On the previous Sunday, Joyal, 53, was intereviewed on Dateline NBC and is quoted as saying:

"A message has been communicated to anyone who wants to speak out against the Kremlin: If you do, no matter who you are, where you are, we will find you, and we will silence you--in the most horrible way possible."

Then, he's shot. In an apparently "random robbery and street shooting."

Do you believe that?

I don't. It's entirely too coincidental that a week after this man speaks out, he's nearly killed.

Want another interesting tidbit?

He was an acquaintance of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB and FSB colonel poisoned/murdered last year. Both were vocal critics of the Kremlin. Just like Anna Politkovskaya who was shot dead in Moscow. Litvinenko had been investigating her murder at the time of his murder. Joyal incriminated the Kremlin over Litvinenko's murder at the time of his shooting.

Random robbery? I sincerely doubt it.
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I don't take pleasure in these tragedies. Lives are lost. However, it's awakening my mind, and hopefully I'm not the only one taking note of the world's events. But, the depth of all this is absolutely fascinating and intriguing for me as a novelist since I've just signed with top agent Steve Laube, who will pitch my spy novel, Midnight Zone, to CBA publishers. My story is about a former Russian double agent, Jirina Havlicek, and American Spy, Declan Burke.