CIA Competing With Special Forces

A recent article in the LA Times outlines the CIA's struggle to limit US Special Forces activities in foreign nations.

The use of Special Forces teams to conduct surveillance and other operations began after 9/11. On several occasions the Special Forces teams have gotten themselves into trouble; once in Paraguay by shooting a would-be robber, and once getting themselves compromised on a surveillance in East Africa.

Some CIA officers are complaining that the forces are interfering and possibly compromising ongoing CIA operations in the process.

Alleged Spy Ordered Deported From Canada

An article in the Canadian Globe and Mail newspaper says that a suspected spy no longer contested the national security certificate labeling him as a threat to Canada.

The lawyers of the alleged spy, who used the Canadian alias of Paul William Hempel, said their client could not produce a single photograph or childhood friend that could help verify their client was indeed Canadian.

One of the lawyers told the court that the man, who's real identity is being withheld, is Russian and wished to return to Russia.

"Hempel" was arrested at Montreal's international airport on Nov. 14th carrying $7,800 in five different currencies, a short-wave radio, two digital cameras, two cell phones and five sim cards with phone information on them.

Espionage = 12 years

Petty Officer 3rd Class Ariel Weinmann was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of espionage, desertion and other charges.

PO Weinmann told the judge that the reason he deserted was the service "did not meet his expectations."

PO Weinmann could have received life in prison without parole for the charge of espionage.