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Authors: Haggai Carmon
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for dual-use vacuum pumps. These can be used in civilian industry, but they’re also essential for enriching uranium via thousands of centrifuges. There was another transaction, this time by Aban, an Iranian company. From Chinese companies it bought 30 tons of tungsten, used in the aircraft industry but also used to build missiles. Aban wanted the goods shipped to Dubai and then to Iran. That failed, though, when Dubai recently decided to cooperate with the U.S in stopping these bogus ‘dual purpose’ shipments. Obviously, that decision seriously pissed off the Iranians, making the situation in Dubai extremely volatile. The Iranians aren’t going to give up that easily on their stronghold in Dubai. Their undercover operatives in Dubai are trying to identify American agents who are collecting evidence of embargo violations. The Iranians know that the U.S. and its allies will use any such evidence to increase pressure on Dubai to stop these practices, or else suffer sanctions for violating U.N decisions.
“So, Dan, although your assignment is completely different, you are still a U.S agent, therefore you should watch your back,” Eric concluded.
Of course, I would. I’ll be watching my back, and front, I thought. I can’t trust you guys too much. Not because you don’t care, you do, but because you’re so entangled in bureaucracy, writing reports and adhering to procedure. Hell, by the time you’d answer my cry for help, I could be on my back on a slab in the freezer, toes up.
The Iranian government had been sending its agents to Dubai to threaten, attack, and even kill anyone who might be helping the U.S. So running into Iranian agents in Dubai would be a very real possibility. I knew that Dubai was dangerous territory for people with missions like mine; I even expected to be dealing with some very real, very nasty covert operatives, because Dubai was a place where huge interests and money were at stake. As were lives.
“I’m careful regardless,” I said nonchalantly, although I was sometimes careless, taking unnecessary risks.
An elderly Agency staffer came in and gave me a travel folder. “This is your Sheep Dip.”
“My what?” I was sure I’d heard ‘deep shit.’ Only later I discovered it wasn’t too far from the truth.
“Sheep Dip,” he repeated, “that’s an old Agency term taken from farming. On farms, sheep are dipped in chemicals to kill any disease-bearing lice or to clean their fleece before shearing. In tradecraft, it means disguising your identity by placing you in a legitimate setting. We give you clean documents—your sheep dip—so you can operate without suspicion.” I had to admit that I’ d never heard that one before. In the Mossad, we called it ‘ Sipoor Kisooy’ – legend, a cover story.
I knew that for my short term assignment, there was no need to go into “backstopping” an elaborate and expensive array of bogus identification documents and background info that would hold water if thoroughly investigated by a suspicious counterintelligence service. Basically the old Five Freedoms of Cover had to be met: Freedom of A ction: what I can do; Freedom of Movement: - where can I go ; Freedom of Leisure: how much time will I have for my “hobby ; ” Social Freedom: w hat kinds of people can I associate with; and finally, Financial Freedom: how much money can I spend.
“Inside the folder you’ll find your new European passport, credit cards, family photos, and pocket debris. You also have an electronic ticket confirmation for a United Airlines flight out of Dulles International Airport.”
“Please put me on another airline,” I said, "I don't fly United, and anyway, I want to fly from New York, not Dulles. I need to run some errands with my children and dog in New York."
“There’s a direct flight from JFK A irport with Emirates. You’ll be undercover. So federal government rules about flying a U.S . flag carrier won’t apply. Should I book you on that
“So, Dan, although your assignment is completely different, you are still a U.S agent, therefore you should watch your back,” Eric concluded.
Of course, I would. I’ll be watching my back, and front, I thought. I can’t trust you guys too much. Not because you don’t care, you do, but because you’re so entangled in bureaucracy, writing reports and adhering to procedure. Hell, by the time you’d answer my cry for help, I could be on my back on a slab in the freezer, toes up.
The Iranian government had been sending its agents to Dubai to threaten, attack, and even kill anyone who might be helping the U.S. So running into Iranian agents in Dubai would be a very real possibility. I knew that Dubai was dangerous territory for people with missions like mine; I even expected to be dealing with some very real, very nasty covert operatives, because Dubai was a place where huge interests and money were at stake. As were lives.
“I’m careful regardless,” I said nonchalantly, although I was sometimes careless, taking unnecessary risks.
An elderly Agency staffer came in and gave me a travel folder. “This is your Sheep Dip.”
“My what?” I was sure I’d heard ‘deep shit.’ Only later I discovered it wasn’t too far from the truth.
“Sheep Dip,” he repeated, “that’s an old Agency term taken from farming. On farms, sheep are dipped in chemicals to kill any disease-bearing lice or to clean their fleece before shearing. In tradecraft, it means disguising your identity by placing you in a legitimate setting. We give you clean documents—your sheep dip—so you can operate without suspicion.” I had to admit that I’ d never heard that one before. In the Mossad, we called it ‘ Sipoor Kisooy’ – legend, a cover story.
I knew that for my short term assignment, there was no need to go into “backstopping” an elaborate and expensive array of bogus identification documents and background info that would hold water if thoroughly investigated by a suspicious counterintelligence service. Basically the old Five Freedoms of Cover had to be met: Freedom of A ction: what I can do; Freedom of Movement: - where can I go ; Freedom of Leisure: how much time will I have for my “hobby ; ” Social Freedom: w hat kinds of people can I associate with; and finally, Financial Freedom: how much money can I spend.
“Inside the folder you’ll find your new European passport, credit cards, family photos, and pocket debris. You also have an electronic ticket confirmation for a United Airlines flight out of Dulles International Airport.”
“Please put me on another airline,” I said, "I don't fly United, and anyway, I want to fly from New York, not Dulles. I need to run some errands with my children and dog in New York."
“There’s a direct flight from JFK A irport with Emirates. You’ll be undercover. So federal government rules about flying a U.S . flag carrier won’t apply. Should I book you on that
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