Delusional

By Ralph Hughes

John Thorn is running the CIA Station in Ankara, Turkey and in doing so he departs from his role as manager of operations to getting thoroughly involved in Russian espionage. He collects valuable and sensitive information about Putin and the latter's plan and intentions, plus insights into Putin's disturbed personality. This brings him in conflict with the then U.S. President and the possible end of his CIA career. Traditional Russian operational activity is highlighted in the book, as well as U.S. special operation involving the elite Delta Force and Navy Seals. Turkish police/detective work in a murder case brings a whole new aspect to the world of espionage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350903812

Ralph Hughes

Ralph Hughes, former DW/BI practice manager for a leading global systems integrator, has led numerous BI programs and projects for Fortune 500 companies in aerospace, government, telecom, and pharmaceuticals. A certified Scrum Master and a PMI Project Management Professional, he began developing an agile method for data warehouse 15 years ago, and was the first to publish books on the iterative solutions for business intelligence projects. He is a veteran trainer with the world's leading data warehouse institute and has instructed or coached over 1,000 BI professionals worldwide in the discipline of incremental delivery of large data management systems. A frequent keynote speaker at business intelligence and data management events, he serves as a judge on emerging technologies award panels and program advisory committees of advanced technology conferences. He holds BA and MA degrees from Stanford University where he studied computer modeling and econometric forecasting. A co-inventor of Zuzena, the automated testing engine for data warehouses, he serves as Chief Systems Architect for Ceregenics and consults on agile projects internationally.

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CHAPTER I

March 22, 2020; Ankara, TURKEY

I could feel it in my bones – I was about to embark on an operational journey that would have spectacular results. I had this same feeling several other times in my career and the last time it happened I recruited a leader of an Arab terrorist group. Maybe I’ll have similar results this time. But since I was in Ankara, Turkey and not the Arab World, it had to be something quite different. On this particular day we were a short distance outside of Ankara in the countryside on the Anatolian Plateau. Many archeologists believe this is the cradle of civilization where farming and agriculture were developed by man. That may be true, but this part of Turkey is rather drab. Even the Turks who live here are somewhat dour and grim looking, unlike the costal Turks who have a spring in their step and a smile on their faces.

Despite the location, we were enjoying ourselves. I sat there sipping the ice-cold vodka, being careful not to drink the potent stuff fast. In an attempt to prod Boris, I asked, Boris, how is it that your country makes such great vodka, but so little else of excellence?

Boris was a very big man, and he had a very big laugh to match his physical size. He knew I was baiting him and appeared to enjoy the razzing. As he laughed and pushed his blonde hair out of his eyes he said, John, we concentrate on what’s important in life: vodka! And are you trying to tell me that Sarkis’ shashlik and Olga’s pierogi are not the best in the world?

Sarkis’ shashlik is the best, I replied, but it originates from his ancestors in Armenia, and you know better than I that Olga’s pierogies, as good as they are, originated in Poland. You Russians only make good vodka, mournful music and books that are much too long.

These Sunday afternoon picnics were becoming a tradition between the four couples: two American and two Russian. The American side consisted of me, John Thorn, my wife Alice, Bert Simmons and his wife Beverly. In contrast, the Russian side consisted of Boris Orlenko, his wife Olga, plus Sarkis Demitrof and his wife Shushan.

I was the CIA’s Chief of Station – better known as COS – in Ankara, Turkey and Bert Simmons was my deputy. Boris Orlenko and Sarkis Demitrof were SVR officers. The SVR replaced the KGB’s First Chief Directorate as Russia’s external intelligence service in 1991. The name change did not accompany a change of mission, and for all practical purposes, it was still the KGB.

Neither we nor the Russians ever admitted to one another that we were intelligence officers. But we Americans were very well aware of the Russians’ true affiliation, and I assumed they knew Bert and I were CIA officers. I wondered from time to time if I was just spinning my wheels with these Russians; I could be spending my limited free time trying to recruit spies that were easier targets than Russians. But I had to admit to myself that Alice and I enjoyed the bantering, challenging discussions and excellent food and drink that came with these Sunday picnics. Also, Russia was still considered our number one enemy, given its extensive nuclear arsenal. So, while it was a long shot, recruiting a Russian – particularly an SVR officer – would provide the U.S. Government with desperately needed intelligence.

Alice in particular enjoyed these Sunday outings because she had minored in Russian Studies in college. When the picnics had first started, she spoke halting Russian. Now, she was able to converse in Russian quite comfortably. My specialty was Arabic, but I was also able to converse in Turkish, although I struggled with the language. I had studied Russian with an elderly Russian émigré when I was in my early 20s. She had left Russia during the great Russian Revolution and still considered herself a supporter of the Tzar and Tzarina. All I remember from those lessons is how to say I don’t speak Russian. Do you speak Russian? What is that? That is a hat. That is a pen. How are you? Goodbye. Obviously, I had not studied very hard.

By comparison, all the Russians spoke flawless English and Turkish. The English language school for Russian intelligence officers was legendary. The Russians had recreated a small Middle American town that was fully staffed by Russians fluent in American English. They played the roles of shop keepers, local politicians and just about any other profession one would find in a small town. The regular intelligence officer would spend about a year in that town and become a fluent, but accented, English speaker. But illegals – those Russian intelligence officers who were installed into American life with American identities, complete with a set of backstopped documents to include birth certificates, social security cards, etc. – would spend two or more years in the make-believe town and leave with the ability to pass as natural-born Americans.

Sitting in the office after one of these picnics, Bert, my deputy, asked me what was the rationale behind continuing the Sunday picnics.

I get the feeling that we’re just wasting our time, he said. I don’t think either of the two Russians are recruitable. We have been seeing them for a little over six months now, and while you in particular have developed a close relationship with Boris, I don’t see a recruitment in the future.

"You’re probably right, Bert, but we’ll just keep a friendly door open and present to the Russians our true way of life and our ability to think and speak openly on any subject. If either of these two Russians ever decides that their lives would be better in the U.S., we will be there to help them ‘come over.’ I also have to admit that their company is good and the food is outstanding. Sarkis’ shashlik is to die for. He gets excellent Turkish lamb, cuts it into cubes and marinates it for at least 24 hours in red wine, garlic, onions, olive oil, lemon and a whole host of herbs. Did you notice how he rejected the American charcoal I brought to one of our first picnics, claiming that the true taste had to come from a charred wood fire? The lamb shish kebap was heavenly, particularly so when eaten with a hunk of ekmek – Turkish bread. I almost feel like we’re not pulling our weight by not contributing more to the picnics."

The Turkish mezze you and Alice contribute is fantastic; you’re definitely pulling your weight, Bert said assuringly. I love your patlican salatası, or eggplant salad – the Turkish version of baba ghanoush. And that çerkez tavuk is so good! What’s in it anyway?

I told Bert that çerkez tavuk can be translated as Circassian chicken and is made of boiled chicken, crushed walnuts, bread and spices mashed into a paste. Then I said, I also noted that you like Alice’s stuffed grape leaves and her cacık, which you probably know better by its Greek name – tzatziki. You never seem to touch the cold, spicy white bean dish, though. It’s called barbunya fasulya.

Bert laughed. I didn’t think you’d notice, he said. "The idea of eating cold beans just doesn’t appeal to me, but maybe I’ll try them next time. In any event, I think more work is needed to make the mezze than everything the Russians bring. And of course, I bring one of the most necessary items: cold beer.

You know, John, I think there was a better case to be made for recruiting Russians during the old days of the Soviet Union because back then, there was such a disparity between life in the U.S. and life in the Soviet Union. The communist state was based on a massive lie, and almost all the citizens knew they were living a lie.

I somewhat agree with you, Bert, I said. "However, it was extremely difficult to recruit KGB officers back then; they were the elite of Soviet society. They had the best educations; they were afforded luxuries that the commoner could only dream of, and they were able to travel and live abroad. So, while the KGB officials knew better than anyone in Soviet society that the system was corrupt, they basically turned a blind eye to it because of their privileged positions.

"Today, the contrast between life in the U.S. and Russia is certainly not as dramatic, but it is still severe. On the other hand, SVR officers do not hold the exalted status that their KGB predecessors once did. Certainly they are the elite in government circles, but the private sector in Russia has produced many oligarch millionaires. Many of these oligarchs achieved their positions by criminal or nefarious means. So, SVR officers often either envy the oligarchs or despise them.

"I have spent many hours thinking about how we might influence a Russian target to turn against his country and become a spy for the U.S. Becoming a traitor to one’s country is a monumental step for anyone, but it is particularly difficult for a Russian whose heritage is exalted from the time he is a toddler. I have asked myself, ‘What would influence me to betray my country?’ My answer every time is that it is impossible. Firstly, betraying my country would also be a betrayal of my wife, my children and my entire family. Secondly, I firmly believe in the rule of law, freedom of the press, free and democratic elections and free speech. While all those attributes can be found in some countries, they certainly aren’t abundant in Russia.

When you really think about it, I continued, "you have to conclude that nations or countries are similar to tribes. Most people give their allegiance to a country come hell or high water without really examining why. A frequent claim of U.S. patriotism is to reference all those who died for the sake of freedom; this is usually referring to WWII. In actual fact, the Russians, or more precisely, the Soviet Union, lost between 26 and 27 million people during WWII, while the U.S. lost about one million. Obviously, their human sacrifice was much greater than ours. So, political leaders find other ways to gain the patriotism of their citizens. But basically, patriotism is based on the human need to gather and bond into groups, claim they are better than others and stand ready to protect the group against all others.

"Our love of the U.S. Constitution is not love of a piece of paper, but rather, the ideas expressed on that paper. We cherish the freedom of speech, the right to gather, the rule of law, the right to freely elect our leaders and the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those same rights and freedoms exist in some other countries, most notably in Europe, but we consider ourselves better than those countries. Why? Basically, because of tribalism. And without tribalism, our political leaders would have difficulty convincing our citizens to go to war when we are not directly threatened. Having said that, I also fully understand that Russia, North Korea and a number of terrorist organizations are a real threat to the freedoms we cherish.

"The problem we have is how to break down the sometimes-irresistible tribal feelings a Russian has for his country. When I think about Boris, a few character flaws immediately come to mind. First of all, Boris is very thin-skinned. He is sensitive to any criticism, real or imagined. He tends to lash out verbally in response to any criticism or slight.

I think we have to capitalize on these character flaws to break down that visceral tribal response. We should try to get a good psychological profile of him and go about this in a scientific manner. Let’s put our thoughts about him down on paper and send them to HQS and ask that one of our psychologists specializing in Russians give us their thoughts on the subject. Better yet, I think we should get the psychologist out here to guide us on a step-by-step basis.

Good idea, said Bert. I think Alice should be part of this. She certainly has some insights that we don’t because she can make some judgements on what he says in Russian, when he’s probably less guarded.

You’re right, Bert, I’ll get her to come into the Station tomorrow, and we can pick her brains.

CHAPTER II

Lately I had been concentrating on running the Station in Ankara and monitoring the political situation in Turkey; there was much to report. The country’s president, Recep Erdoğan, was slowly turning the country into a dictatorship by appealing to the religious right at the expense of democratic institutions. We had excelled in providing intelligence on the situation in Turkey, but the intelligence community in the U.S. had an insatiable appetite for any intelligence, so more was better.

Judy Belcher was my reports officer. Reports officers in the CIA are predominantly female, and their main task is to turn the raw information collected by case officers into finished intelligence reports and to disseminate those reports to the appropriate offices in the departments and agencies of our government.

A few days previously Judy entered my office and sank into one of the oversized chairs. She had been working to near exhaustion because of the demand for intelligence. John, this situation cannot continue as it has been, or I will need another assistant to cope with all the work.

That’s funny, Judy. It appears to me that you’re handling the situation admirably, I replied.

You mean staying in the office until almost midnight every day? she asked. I wouldn’t call that admirable, I’d call it slave labor.

We both laughed at this point. I knew she was working ungodly hours, and she knew that I was just pulling her leg.

Seriously, where do you think we’re headed here in Turkey? she asked.

"That’s a difficult question to answer, Judy. On the one hand, the Turks have developed a strong sense of democracy over the past century. But this guy Erdoğan has disassembled most of the democratic safeguards bit by bit. Atatürk very wisely separated Church and State, but political leaders over time have found that appealing to Islam is a quick way to garnish votes. In years past, the Turkish Military was the protector of the constitution. When political leaders strayed too far by appealing to the religious right, the military would step in, take over the government, outlaw the offending party and then hold new elections. Erdoğan, while he was prime minister, very quickly eliminated the military threat to his regime. He fired all the most senior generals and replaced them with generals loyal to him.

"As you know, the attempted coup failed a couple of years back because none of the senior generals were part of it – they had been co-opted by Erdoğan. But Erdoğan did not stop there. He saw a free press as one of his biggest enemies. So, he systematically eliminated the free press by arresting those reporters who were critical of him. Furthermore, he upended the judiciary by removing judges who tried to stand up and protect the constitution. And after the coup failed, he completely denuded law enforcement, the intelligence services and even universities by jailing their professors.

So now, he is the president, with almost totalitarian powers, when just a few years ago, the president was little more than a figurehead. Erdoğan managed to change all that and gave the presidency almost unlimited powers. Even the legislature’s role has been greatly diminished. What this all means for us in the West is difficult to say. One positive aspect is that dictators are able to fight wars more easily than democratic leaders. So, we might see Turkey play a strong role in the fight against terrorism. But it will be a terrorism defined by Erdoğan and may not agree with the West’s views on terrorism. For instance, we see the Kurds as the strongest fighters against ISIS, but Erdoğan sees the Kurds as terrorists. He is fearful that any organized group of Kurds will encourage the Kurds in Eastern Turkey to push for independence from Turkey. There are about 20 million Kurds in Turkey, so they really can be a threat, particularly if they align themselves with the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq. So, I see Erdoğan going after the Kurds with gusto. Also, I think that many of the brilliant and imaginative Turks, who have in recent years made the Turkish economy one of the strongest in the world, will begin to transfer their funds out of Turkey and will eventually leave. I see the Turkish economy taking a freefall. We will be left with is something similar to Saddam’s Iraq or Mubarak’s Egypt, and the once mighty Turkey will be no more.

God, that is really pessimistic, said Judy. I think the situation is bad, but I’m not sure I agree with you that this country is going down the drain.

Maybe I am being a bit too pessimistic, but my frustration with the situation and the Turkish electorate brings it on. I get so agitated when I see one narcissistic person destroy what was a shining example of how a Muslim country could be a leading member of the civilized world. I hope that other unscrupulous Western leaders do not follow in Erdoğan’s footsteps. If we see any of them trying to destroy the free press, undermine the judiciary and destroy the intelligence and law enforcement services, we’d better watch out! But now, I see our people beginning to congregate for our weekly staff meeting; we’d better join them.

Judy and I left my office and passed through a vault door into a large vault that contained the Station’s bubble. The bubble is a conference room constructed of thick, hard, transparent plastic that is virtually impossible to penetrate electronically. It sits on stilts, so its floor, walls and ceiling are all clear and easily inspectable for any foreign object that may be attached to it. It also contains an electronic shield that prevents any unwanted signals from penetrating or emanating out of it. In short, it is an extremely secure area that the CIA Station uses for highly sensitive discussions.

I started the meeting by telling those assembled how proud I was of the Station’s reporting on the recent elections and the political fallout resulting from them. "All of you did a marvelous job of providing our policy makers with a clear and honest picture of what is happening in Turkey today. I don’t like what’s happening, and I suspect none of you do either, but it is our job to collect intelligence that reflects what is happening and project what will happen. You have all done that and I applaud you.

"I believe one area that we can improve on is reporting on the mood and intentions of the Turkish National Police. We have lost some assets in the TNP due to the massive turnover in the police force after the failed coup. I’m not sure how loyal the TNP is to Erdoğan, and that is something we need to know. So, check with your sources and see if you can get introduced to someone at a senior level in the TNP.

Another area that needs attention is Russia. Given what Russia has been doing against U.S. interests in the last couple of years, we need to have more penetrations of the Russian government and the SVR in particular. I’m sure all of you have noted that the Turks and the Russians are getting closer every day. That is not good news for the U.S., and I’m sure our policy makers want to understand that relationship a lot better than they do now. As most of you know, Bert and I are developing a couple of SVR officers. I can’t tell at this point if anything will come of it, but we are trying. I need all of you case officers to have one Russian developmental. I don’t want us tripping over each other, but there are hundreds of Russian officials here in Turkey. That means we should all be able to have at least one Russian developmental without it being obvious that the Station is putting a full-court press on the Russians. Years ago, we used to challenge the Russian Embassy to weekly volleyball games. Having a few beers after the games was a good way to relate to the Russians on a personal level. Perhaps some of you younger officers might give that a try.

CHAPTER III

The following day, I brought Alice into the Embassy to talk to Bert and me about the Russians we had been seeing on Sunday afternoons. I asked her to share any insights she could provide based on her knowledge of what the four Russians said to each other when speaking in Russian.

From what I’m able to see, Alice said, "I think there are some unhealthy dynamics in the relationships. First of all, I think Boris is a boorish guy. When he speaks to you in English, he comes across as a reasonable, understanding kind of person. But when his guard is down, and he responds to his wife Olga or the Demitrofs, he is condescending and harsh. I think he is basically a mean person. He snaps back at any perceived slight, even when it is said in jest. I also think he suspects that something is going on between Olga and Sarkis, which, by the way, I think is totally unfounded.

For instance, last Sunday, Sarkis was going to start the fire for his shashlik, and Olga said she would help him. Boris snapped at her, called her a cow and told her to stay where she was so she could serve vodka to you, John. And then, he said to Sarkis, ‘Are you so incompetent that you cannot even start a fire without the help of a woman?’ It seems to me that normally, the two Russians are at ease with each other, but when Olga’s in the picture, Boris is on high alert. Also, he made some comments under his breath when you were commenting on Russia’s limited excellence except in vodka. While he was smiling, he mumbled something to the effect that ‘this is total bullshit’.

I’m flabbergasted, I said. I thought Boris was in good cheer the whole time and enjoyed our banter.

I think he does enjoy it, but for some reason, he reacts strongly to any suggestion of criticism, especially if he perceives it to be directed at him personally, less so when it’s something within his orbit, such as Russia.

I guess I’ll have to be careful around him and try not to antagonize him. As for Olga, she could stand to shed a few pounds, but basically, she has a great body, so why is he calling her a cow?

I’m aware of the fact that you’ve taken notice of Olga’s body, and you too, Bert, Alice said with a coy smile. But I agree with you. She is put together rather nicely. As for how you should interact with Boris, I don’t know what the best approach would be. But I can tell you, he’s a real son of a bitch! You mentioned yesterday that you were considering asking for a psychological expert to come to Ankara to guide you on which buttons to push with Boris. I think that’s the way to go because I believe Boris is a conflicted individual. To me, he is a walking example of a narcissist. He takes umbrage at imagined slights, and he has a tendency to want to fight back when he perceives any slight. But more than anything else, and you must have noticed this, John, he loves to talk about himself and heap himself with praise.

I have noticed that he’s in love with himself, I said, but I was not as attuned to his reaction to slights as you obviously are, though I did notice that tendency to fight back. I am now more convinced than ever that we need a psychologist here to guide us. I’m going to ask HQS to get one out here soon.

Within the week, HQS dispatched Howard Rosenfeld to Ankara. Howard was a psychologist whose specialty was analyzing Russians.

I thought it best if all four Americans who were in touch with the Russians be present for the discussion of the Russians and Boris in particular. So, soon after Howard arrived, Bert and his wife, together with Alice and me, gathered in the bubble for the discussion.

Howard started by saying, "I have read all that you folks have written about the Russians, and I think you are correct in your decision to concentrate your efforts on Orlenko. He definitely has some character flaws that can be exploited. You have correctly identified him as a narcissist, and one that is somewhat extreme. I think you can capitalize on his narcissism by turning it to your advantage.

"First of all, John, I would refrain from any comments that could be construed as criticism of Boris’ person or things that he associates as related to him. On the contrary, he will love flattery of any kind. You have to continually tell this guy how great he is. Then, you’ll have him eating out of your hand. And don’t be afraid to overdo it. What might seem to you and others as obsequious will appear to him as validation of his own thoughts. Undoubtedly, Boris is extraordinarily ambitious and believes he should be much further advanced than he is. Tell him that you don’t understand why he’s not in charge of his embassy, since he is so much brighter than all the other Russians you have met here.

"Now, you will want to begin thinking about how you can use his personality dysfunction as a tool to turn him away from his country and bring him into your arms. Think about how you can get him to start believing that the Russian Embassy, or the SVR, is not giving him the respect and attention he deserves. You might even want to see if you can drive a wedge between him and his wife so that he comes to believe that you are the only one who understands and appreciates him.

And remember, John, these kinds of people hold grudges. So, if you can manipulate the situation to appear as if he has been harmed or disrespected by his embassy, country, family, etc., he will want revenge. And what better way to extract that revenge than by helping the Americans against them?

I’ll be damned, I remarked. I think you’ve given me some real hope that we can recruit this guy. We must be imaginative in creating situations that will induce Boris to think that his world is against him, while we, on the other hand, appreciate him. I don’t think I have come across a flawed personality like this before.

Everyone laughed and Howard said, You certainly have, and you spend a considerable amount of time reporting on him! I’m talking about Erdoğan. Political leaders who can’t stand criticism, constantly inflate their own importance, hold grudges and seek absolute power are classic narcissists. Erdoğan is classic.

Now that I think of it, you’re so right, Howard. So many of the flaws we find with Orlenko’s personality are the same character flaws Erdoğan displays. We can even go back and say the same thing about Joseph Stalin, Hitler and many other dictators.

"Exactly, John. But the task before you is to find ways to exacerbate the situation so that Boris starts to feel his world is turning against him. It won’t be as hard as you might imagine; all he needs is some nudging in the right direction, which can be done by