4 ms·

A nice, quick read. I had no idea how (apparently) commonplace it is to exchange captured spies for others - I’d just assumed all would be shot for treason (wh

A nice, quick read. I had no idea how (apparently) commonplace it is to exchange captured spies for others - I’d just assumed all would be shot for treason (which, to be fair, also seems to be rather commonplace).

walrus01 6y ago
It seems that nobody wanted to set the precedent of shooting every spy found, lest the other side also do the same to your own guys that they've found/captured/arrested, who you're hoping to get back.
- avmich 6y ago
  Unless one side doesn't really care that much for those clumsy spies - for them - who can't even keep themselves out of trouble. It's surprising sometimes how long such an approach can work.
  - anothernewdude 6y ago
    If they're clumsy spies you might as well give them back.
    - kevin_thibedeau 6y ago
      Or feed them misinformation.
  - thatguy0900 6y ago
    How long will you have loyal, non defecting good spies if they see all their compatriots shot because you don't care about them
nradov 6y ago
Executing spies isn't an effective deterrent. So logically it makes sense to keep them around as potentially useful assets. Either for exchange, interrogation, or conversion into double agents.
Xixi 6y ago
Spies that are foreign citizens acting to help their own country are not usually considered traitors. Even if they assume a fake identity. So a Russian citizen spying US on the account of Russia would be a spy, but not a traitor. These spies are indeed usually captured (if discovered) and eventually exchanged. A traitor would be for instance a US citizen spying on the US to help China, or Russia. Or a Chinese citizen spying on China to help the US. This is a much more perilous situation than just being a spy...
inglor_cz 6y ago
In hot war the emotions run wild and spies are/were shot, often on the spot after a drumhead "court". In peace, even a cold peace that reigned post-1945, diplomacy and sustainability of your ops is taken into consideration. If your spies face certain death when caught, fewer will volunteer to become spies, especially if their expected career is measured in decades.
fakedang 6y ago
Spies from different nationalities seem to be fine - imprisonment, trial, exchange, etc. Spies from the same country as the target nation are in the gravest danger. Like what happened in China recently (where they shot spies point blank in front of their colleagues to send a message) or in Iran (where a wrestler/alleged spy was recently executed). That being said, the East has definitely been more unforgiving of treason than the West.

walrus01 6y ago

It seems that nobody wanted to set the precedent of shooting every spy found, lest the other side also do the same to your own guys that they've found/captured/arrested, who you're hoping to get back.

avmich 6y ago
Unless one side doesn't really care that much for those clumsy spies - for them - who can't even keep themselves out of trouble. It's surprising sometimes how long such an approach can work.
- anothernewdude 6y ago
  If they're clumsy spies you might as well give them back.
  - kevin_thibedeau 6y ago
    Or feed them misinformation.
- thatguy0900 6y ago
  How long will you have loyal, non defecting good spies if they see all their compatriots shot because you don't care about them

nradov 6y ago

Executing spies isn't an effective deterrent. So logically it makes sense to keep them around as potentially useful assets. Either for exchange, interrogation, or conversion into double agents.

Xixi 6y ago

Spies that are foreign citizens acting to help their own country are not usually considered traitors. Even if they assume a fake identity. So a Russian citizen spying US on the account of Russia would be a spy, but not a traitor. These spies are indeed usually captured (if discovered) and eventually exchanged. A traitor would be for instance a US citizen spying on the US to help China, or Russia. Or a Chinese citizen spying on China to help the US. This is a much more perilous situation than just being a spy...

inglor_cz 6y ago

In hot war the emotions run wild and spies are/were shot, often on the spot after a drumhead "court". In peace, even a cold peace that reigned post-1945, diplomacy and sustainability of your ops is taken into consideration. If your spies face certain death when caught, fewer will volunteer to become spies, especially if their expected career is measured in decades.

fakedang 6y ago

Spies from different nationalities seem to be fine - imprisonment, trial, exchange, etc. Spies from the same country as the target nation are in the gravest danger. Like what happened in China recently (where they shot spies point blank in front of their colleagues to send a message) or in Iran (where a wrestler/alleged spy was recently executed). That being said, the East has definitely been more unforgiving of treason than the West.