I have no doubt that Russia engages in a lot of shenanigans today. However that back in 1985, what this guy is saying about the USSR managing worm into the US

I have no doubt that Russia engages in a lot of shenanigans today. However that back in 1985, what this guy is saying about the USSR managing worm into the US to the point of raising an entire generation that thought what the USSR wanted them to think -- that to me seems extremely dubious. There may be a kernel of truth there -- yes, the KGB may have had such a strategy, and it might have been successfully executed in some cases. What I highly doubt is that it actually did work on the US in 1985. You have to consider a conflict in priorities there. This guy defected. He burned every bridge there was to burn back home, and that means he desperately needs to ingratiate himself with where he ended up instead, and given that McCarthyism was right around that time it doesn't take a genius to latch on that. Also, let's be serious here. This is almost 40 years ago. Many people of importance from back then are now dead or retired. If this interview has anything to do with modern reality it's more by accident than anything.