Howdy:
Today, let me tell you what the Russian FSB means…
You might think it stands for Federal’naya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti, or Federal Security Service, which is Russia’s internal security and counterintelligence service.
The FSB was created in 1994 as one of the successor agencies of the Soviet-era KGB. It is responsible for counterintelligence, anti-terrorism, and surveillance of the military. The FSB occupies the former headquarters of the KGB on Lubyanka Square in downtown Moscow.
However, let me tell you what else FSB stands for…
1. “F” is for False Flags
In spy lingo, “false flag” means an operation designed to look like the work of another nation.
How does Russia do this in practice?
As recently as last week, US intelligence agencies warned that Russia has dispatched operatives trained in urban combat to use explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russia’s own proxy forces in Ukraine. This operation would be blamed on Ukrainians and would be used as a pretext for a military response by the Russian military.
2. “S” is for “spies”
Lithuania recently announced that it has busted a Russian spy ring on its soil after two of its citizens where spying for Russia. The Netherlands also uncovered one of Kremlin’s “substantial espionage networks” operating in that country.
And back in December, there was a massive cyber-attack against U.S. government and private company websites organized by Russia’s spy organizations.
This is only the tip of the iceberg, of course, what the authorities can discover.
Can you imagine how much more goes on about which we have no idea?
3. “B” is for “betrayal”
The best way to express Russia’s sentiment about betrayal comes from the mouth of its president. Mr. Putin who has said that everyone who betrays Russia will “kick the bucket, believe me. Those other folks betrayed their friends, their brother in arms. Whatever they got in exchange for it, those 30 pieces of silver they were given, they will choke on them.”
Russia’s spy agencies have made good on Mr. Putin’s threats. Many critics of Mr. Putin or of Russia in general have ended up poisoned or assassinated abroad even in places like UK or the USA, where they felt safe.
No matter if they are rich and powerful or former operatives, if they cross Putin and he considers them traitors, they are as good as dead. Mr. Putin is of the opinion that traitors of the motherland “will have a stake in their throat.”
How do these facts relate to my spy thrillers?
Agent Rising, the first book in the Max Thorne series features Agent Max Thorne, who is an FSB covert operative … or is he?
The Story
Max, who is struggling with a troubled, unknown past and aimless future, accepts a near-impossible assignment: bring a traitor who is hiding in the United States back home to Russia.
Max has never lost any of the high-value detainees he transports, and this mission could prove his allegiance to the agency. But he’d be working in hostile territory, with an untested new team, and his career and life are on the line.
As the Russian team is ambushed while descending on Washington, DC, Max discovers that his fate is inescapably linked to that of the “traitor.” Now there is even more at stake … his mysterious past may tie him to the CIA.
With no time to determine whom to trust, will he find the courage to stand between the Russian service and an innocent man? And in doing so, will Max be deemed a traitor himself?
Intrigued?
Then click the book cover below and enjoy
your copy of Agent Rising (Max Thorne Book 1) at a special price…
This is what reviewers are saying about
Agent Rising (Max Thorne Book 1):
★★★★★ “The action is intense and the flow is great.”
★★★★★ “Awesome reading.”
★★★★★ “Wow!”
Enjoy!
The only author who’s uncovering the FSB …
Ethan