Spies among us: Get a peek at their playbook

Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed.

A retired counterintelligence supervisor estimates that around 100,000 foreign agents from 60 to 80 nations are spying on the U.S., highlighting ongoing espionage threats, particularly from Russia. The case of Evgeny Buryakov, who acted as an unregistered Russian agent in New York City, exemplifies the real-world implications of these espionage activities.

Key points from this article:

• The estimate of 100,000 foreign agents in the U.S. comes from Chris Simmons, a retired counterintelligence supervisor for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
• How Evgeny Buryakov, a 41-year-old Russian agent, gathered intelligence in New York City while posing as a bank employee, demonstrates the ongoing threat of espionage.
• Why the continued presence of Russian spies, as noted by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, underscores the relevance of Cold War-era espionage tactics in today's geopolitical climate.