“Code Name Blue Wren: Cuban Spy Ana Montes” - with Jim Popkin

Summary

Jim Popkin (Twitter, LinkedIn) joins Andrew (Twitter; LinkedIn) to discuss America’s most damaging female spy, Ana Montes. Jim is a four-time recipient of the national Emmy Award for outstanding journalism.

What You’ll LearnIntelligence

• How Ana Montes was recruited
• Her espionage at the heart of the Department of Defense
• Cuban intelligence tactics 
• The molehunt to capture Montes

Reflections

• The “City of Spies” Washington D.C.
• Betrayal and familial loss

And much, much more …

Episode Notes

She’s “the most famous spy no one’s ever heard of” – Why? Clouded by the tragedy of 9/11, Ana Montes was arrested on suspicion of espionage on September 21, 2001, as the Twin Towers smoldered. She had been spying for Cuba for almost two decades, sending secrets from the heart of American intelligence to Fidel Castro’s regime. 

This week, author and investigative journalist Jim Popkin joins Andrew to discuss Ana Montes’ story framed by his new book, Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed. Jim debriefs us on how Ana was recruited, how she gathered and sent secrets, and how she ultimately the net closed in on her. 

And… 

The timing couldn’t be better to discuss Ana Montes’ story. Ana was released from prison two weeks ago on January 6th after serving 21 of her 25-year prison sentence. Why has Ana been released while fellow spies who caused tremendous damage, Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, remain incarcerated? Tune into this week’s episode to find out!

Quotes of the Week

“There's a haunting message that the FBI found on her laptop from the Cubans that said, ‘Thank you so much for revealing [Redacted.] We are waiting for him here with open arms.’ So, she revealed the real name of someone who was headed to Cuba, the Cubans were aware of it, and, and they were, ‘waiting for him with open arms.’” – Jim Popkin.

Resources Headline Resource

• Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed, J. Popkin (Hanover, 2023)

*SpyCasts*

• “SPY@20: Spy of the Century Kim Philby” - With Curators Alexis and Andrew (2022)
• America's Most Damaging Russian Spy: FBI Agent Robert Hanssen – with Lis Wiehl (2022)
• Leningrad, Molehunts, and Life After the CIA – with Christopher Burgess (2021)
• FBI Special Agent Pete Lapp (2019)

*Beginner Resources*

• Ana Montes: Cuban Spy, FBI History (n.d.) [Short Article]
• A Timeline of US-Cuba Relations, I. Roman, HISTORY (2021) [Timeline]
• The Evolving Motives of American Spies, N. Hunt, Washingtonian (2013) [Article]

Books

• Castro’s Nemesis: True Stories of a Master Spy-Catcher, C. Simmons (Independently Published, 2022)
• American Spies, M. Sulick (GUP, 2013)
• True Believer: Inside the Investigation and Capture of Ana Montes, S. Carmichael (Naval Institute, 2009)
• United States-Cuban Relations: A Critical History, E. M. Dominguez (Lexington, 2008)

Articles

• ”Ana Montes released from prison” C. Yilek, CBS News (2023)
• “A DC Resident Spied for Cuba for Years. How Did She Get Away With It?” S. McNamara, Washingtonian (2023)
• “Ana Montes: How Cuban spy used incredible memory to betray US” C. Bailey, BBC (2023)
• “How Spy Agencies Use American Universities to Secretly Recruit Students” D. Golden, Town & Country (2017)

Video

• Traitors Within - Spies Who Sold Out America, YouTube (2018)
• The Two Faces of Ana: Model Employee/Cuban Spy, YouTube (2017)

Primary Sources 

• The Ana Montes Press Reports (various) 
• Prisoner of Conscience: Ana Belen Montes is free! (2023)
• Scholars or Spies? House of Representatives Hearing (2018)
• Inspector General Review of Ana Montes Investigation (2005)
• Ana Montes Statement During Trial (2001)
• FBI Arrests DIA Employee (2001)

*Wildcard Resource*

• “Lasso of Truth!”
• Wonder Woman’s secret power has a connection to the polygraph...