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Authors: Mark Greaney Tom Clancy
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warned President Ryan it would be perceived as provocative by the Russians if they knew Golovko was coming to the White House for lunch. Jack acquiesced reluctantly, and only partially; he ordered the event to remain informal and to be kept below the radar.
Sergey Golovko had retired from intelligence work three years earlier, and almost immediately he made headlines in Russia because he, unlike most intelligence chiefs, did not go into politics or business. To the contrary, Golovko took his small pension and began speaking out against the
siloviki
—a Russian term used to denote members of the intelligence community and the military who became high-ranking and powerful political leaders. The Kremlin had become filled to capacity with ex-spies and ex–military officers, and they worked together as a tightly knit coalition in order to gain and hold power, using the skills they learned controlling the security services to now control every aspect of public and private life.
The new man in charge at the Kremlin, sixty-year-old Valeri Volodin, was himself a member of the
siloviki
, having worked for years in the FSB and, previous to this, as a young officer in the KGB. Most current members of the executive and legislative bodies were former members of either the internal or foreign intelligence service, or military intelligence (the GRU).
As Golovko began publicly airing his displeasure with the policies and practices of the Volodin administration, Volodin did not take kindly to the ex–SVR man’s comments, especially those critical of the rollback of democratic institutions by the new regime. As a fervent opponent of the
siloviki
, Golovko knew it was just a matter of time before his own safety was at risk. Old colleagues of Golovko’s still in the SVR warned the ex–spy chief it would be in his best interest to leave Russia and not look back.
With a heavy heart, the former SVR head exiled himself from his motherland and moved to London, where, for the past year, he’d lived modestly enough, though he continued to criticize Volodin and his ministers. His speaking tours took him all over the globe, and he could be seen on television somewhere on the planet almost every week, appearing in interviews and roundtable discussions.
Ryan looked across the table at Golovko now and could not help wondering how someone who looked so frail could keep up a schedule nearly as arduous as his own.
Golovko saw the look, and he smiled at Ryan. “Ivan Emmetovich, tell me, how are your children?”
“Everyone is fine. Katie and Kyle are at school here in D.C. Sally is at Johns Hopkins, finishing up her residency.”
“Three doctors in the family. Very impressive,” Sergey said, tipping his wineglass to both Ryans.
Jack chuckled. “Three docs, but only two physicians. As a doctor of history, I’ve noticed my specialty is not as useful as an M.D. in a house full of kids.”
“And what is Junior up to these days?” Sergey asked.
“Actually, Jack Junior is over in your neck of the woods. He moved to London just two months ago.”
“Is that so?” Golovko said with mild surprise. “What is he doing there?”
“He is working in the business analytics field for a private firm. Spending his days evaluating corporate buyouts and international finance deals.”
“Ah, he’s in The City, then.”
“He is, but he’s living in Earl’s Court.”
With a smile, Sergey said, “He got his father’s brains. He should have become an intelligence officer.”
The President took a bite of his salad, careful to give nothing away.
Cathy Ryan interjected, “One spook in the family is enough, don’t you think?”
Sergey held his water glass up to her. “Of course. It is a difficult career. Difficult for the family, as well. I am sure having young Jack work in a safe and secure profession is a great comfort to you.”
Cathy sipped her iced tea. “Very much so.”
Jack thought his wife’s poker face was much better than his
Sergey Golovko had retired from intelligence work three years earlier, and almost immediately he made headlines in Russia because he, unlike most intelligence chiefs, did not go into politics or business. To the contrary, Golovko took his small pension and began speaking out against the
siloviki
—a Russian term used to denote members of the intelligence community and the military who became high-ranking and powerful political leaders. The Kremlin had become filled to capacity with ex-spies and ex–military officers, and they worked together as a tightly knit coalition in order to gain and hold power, using the skills they learned controlling the security services to now control every aspect of public and private life.
The new man in charge at the Kremlin, sixty-year-old Valeri Volodin, was himself a member of the
siloviki
, having worked for years in the FSB and, previous to this, as a young officer in the KGB. Most current members of the executive and legislative bodies were former members of either the internal or foreign intelligence service, or military intelligence (the GRU).
As Golovko began publicly airing his displeasure with the policies and practices of the Volodin administration, Volodin did not take kindly to the ex–SVR man’s comments, especially those critical of the rollback of democratic institutions by the new regime. As a fervent opponent of the
siloviki
, Golovko knew it was just a matter of time before his own safety was at risk. Old colleagues of Golovko’s still in the SVR warned the ex–spy chief it would be in his best interest to leave Russia and not look back.
With a heavy heart, the former SVR head exiled himself from his motherland and moved to London, where, for the past year, he’d lived modestly enough, though he continued to criticize Volodin and his ministers. His speaking tours took him all over the globe, and he could be seen on television somewhere on the planet almost every week, appearing in interviews and roundtable discussions.
Ryan looked across the table at Golovko now and could not help wondering how someone who looked so frail could keep up a schedule nearly as arduous as his own.
Golovko saw the look, and he smiled at Ryan. “Ivan Emmetovich, tell me, how are your children?”
“Everyone is fine. Katie and Kyle are at school here in D.C. Sally is at Johns Hopkins, finishing up her residency.”
“Three doctors in the family. Very impressive,” Sergey said, tipping his wineglass to both Ryans.
Jack chuckled. “Three docs, but only two physicians. As a doctor of history, I’ve noticed my specialty is not as useful as an M.D. in a house full of kids.”
“And what is Junior up to these days?” Sergey asked.
“Actually, Jack Junior is over in your neck of the woods. He moved to London just two months ago.”
“Is that so?” Golovko said with mild surprise. “What is he doing there?”
“He is working in the business analytics field for a private firm. Spending his days evaluating corporate buyouts and international finance deals.”
“Ah, he’s in The City, then.”
“He is, but he’s living in Earl’s Court.”
With a smile, Sergey said, “He got his father’s brains. He should have become an intelligence officer.”
The President took a bite of his salad, careful to give nothing away.
Cathy Ryan interjected, “One spook in the family is enough, don’t you think?”
Sergey held his water glass up to her. “Of course. It is a difficult career. Difficult for the family, as well. I am sure having young Jack work in a safe and secure profession is a great comfort to you.”
Cathy sipped her iced tea. “Very much so.”
Jack thought his wife’s poker face was much better than his
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