I've already talked Jae's ear off about this, but I'll add a bit more ;-)
There are some unique features of American culture that can only really be appreciated as an American
Right, but I don't think a few years of intense training and then living in the US for 5,10,15 years can give you what growing up in that environment will give you. There will always be that one little thing you didn't think of, or didn't pick up yet. You'll still be different. Add to that the regional differences, in language and attitude.
If I were trying to build a cover, I'd therefore go with somebody who's not American, so any slip will be easily attributed to 'well, she's not from here'.
The illegal option means you put in all that effort and put your people through hell, when they can still slip up and still be caught. There might be less of a chance of that, but there's also less of a chance that when things get hairy, you'll pull them out in time. Because losing an illegal would be much more of a loss than a regular spy.
They do have an advantage of being there, and building long term contacts, but when we're talking about an ideological war like US vs. USSR, why not use a local who supports your cause?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-04-01 09:06 pm (UTC)There are some unique features of American culture that can only really be appreciated as an American
Right, but I don't think a few years of intense training and then living in the US for 5,10,15 years can give you what growing up in that environment will give you. There will always be that one little thing you didn't think of, or didn't pick up yet. You'll still be different. Add to that the regional differences, in language and attitude.
If I were trying to build a cover, I'd therefore go with somebody who's not American, so any slip will be easily attributed to 'well, she's not from here'.
The illegal option means you put in all that effort and put your people through hell, when they can still slip up and still be caught. There might be less of a chance of that, but there's also less of a chance that when things get hairy, you'll pull them out in time. Because losing an illegal would be much more of a loss than a regular spy.
They do have an advantage of being there, and building long term contacts, but when we're talking about an ideological war like US vs. USSR, why not use a local who supports your cause?