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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Russian Spies in American Suburbs: Shades of the Cold War?

    Ten Russians posing as ordinary Americans, including parents with children, have been arrested as "deep cover" spies after seven years of investigation by the FBI. Their alleged paymaster was picked up in Cyprus. US officials reportedly were astonished when Christopher Metsos was released on bail in the first place.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Ten Russians posing as ordinary Americans, including parents with children, have been arrested as "deep cover" spies after seven years of investigation by the FBI. Their alleged paymaster was picked up in Cyprus. US officials reportedly were astonished when Christopher Metsos was released on bail in the first place. Both countries say the incident won't damage relations, but a lot of questions remain. What were the agents doing here decades after the Cold War? Why have they been arrested now? If they posed a danger to national security, why don't they face more serious charges? Does the US have its own spy rings in Russia? We hear from a former CIA agent, a Russian scholar and others.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Julia Flucht

      Producer, 'To the Point'

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

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      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

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      Jerry Markon

      National Reporter, Washington Post

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      Robert Baer

      former CIA field officer and author

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      Viktor Kremenyuk

      Institute of the USA and Canada

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