Had a long letter from old Stockholm friend Patricia about the ethical problems of being a secret agant. Like any paid informant, whether for the police or the intelligence community, one betrays the confidence of those who confide in you. In criminal circles this is called being a rat. In the Cold War it was called serving your country. In Judaism gossip is considered a sin. One is faced with the dilemma of choosing between two evils, not serving your country or beraying someone who thinks you are his friend. Espionage involves deception. It is not an easy role for someone who is honest and always straight forward.
In the intelligence business, every contact is reported and the accumulated reports are analyzed.
What is done with the reorts you never know and what you reporft may be used gto tghe disadvangage of your source. It might even mean death. This is a tough thing to live with.
This is what lies behind my latest book, "Betrayal" now available on the Kindle library and from http://www.lulu.com/ as an ebook or paperback. TGheck it out.
