The Worst Intelligence Disaster in FBI History | True Life Spy Stories

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In 1986, a chilling revelation sent shockwaves through the FBI's Soviet counterintelligence section in Washington. Two prized Soviet informants, Valery Martynov and Sergei Motorin, had been compromised. Once exposed, the men were lured back to Moscow, and brutally executed - a bullet in the head for each, the KGB's grim signature for traitors.
The loss of the two agents referred to affectionately within the FBI as ‘M&M’ marked an abrupt end to what had become routine covert meetings and intelligence exchanges.
Parallel to this, the CIA, ensconced across the Potomac in Langley, grappled with its own nightmare. Over the years, dozens of their operatives in the Soviet Union had suddenly gone dark, were executed or imprisoned.
The FBI scrambled to form an elite investigative team to unravel the mystery. Yet, as the years wore on and the puzzle remained unsolved, the unsettling possibility of the traitor being one of their own lingered in the air like a bad smell.
Determined to root out the mole, experienced analysts within the FBI’s Soviet unit delved into archives of debriefings and reports, searching for a pattern, a clue, anything that might reveal a link to the betrayer. They honed in on an innocent agent, meanwhile the culprit, who was outwardly a devout Catholic, a loving husband, father of 6, and a trusted FBI agent, harboured a perilous secret.
Robert Philip Hanssen’s decades-long path of treachery is considered the worst intelligence disaster in FBI history. This is his story.
#roberthanssen #philipthompson #truelifespystories

[@giannisforprez1271]

Just saying if my first post as an FBI agent was in Gary, Indiana I think I’d become a traitor too

[@yaelz6043]

May as well. Nothing you do could be more treasonous than what the government does. Putin's Russia is the only capitalist nation left anyway.

[@somanyfruitsmango9021]

There's a reason why there's a Cards Against Humanity card that says "A one-way ticket to Gary, Indiana"

[@nickbaker5296]

Amazing comment 😂 (been to Gary)

[@user-qt4qp6bj1q]

Livin' the dream

[@mimithemermaid3860]

I just lol’d so hard, I almost choked 🤣

[@benjaminpendleton7797]

You'd think that the FBI would require its agents to provide details on the costs of their mortgages, vehicles, vacations, children's educations, etc.

[@victorblaer]

I've worked for some of the "best" companies out there. The more I read and the older I get, I realise how incompetent many of us are. It would take a talented under grad intern to write code , to flag anomalies (heck, even I could do it and I'm dumb as a door nail.) What we are actually dealing with is a cultural problem mixed with dark money. Take for example supreme court justice Clarence Thomas, living beyond his means,vacationing beyond his means, and it turns out, he's been accepting bribabey money from right wing billionaires but BC there's no law against SCJ doing that,he gets away with it. I'm on a government list where anytime I move , I have to inform someone, and that's part of a background check, and I'm basically a janitor. The DC good ol boys club has been infiltrated by a very smart means. Radio, Sinclair news. If you can't outright bribe em, change their mind. But how do you do that ? If the AVG FBI agent has a 40 minute commute to work, take over the radio stations that they listen to on their commute. Yuri (ex KGB agent) discused this in the 1980s , Abraham Lincoln mentioned it in a speech hundreds of years ago. Let me give you an example of how bad it is; Biden had to fire the entire SS team protecting him after the Trump handover. When the SS was asked for phones records, they were all deleted around the time of asking. That's never happened before. I've worked for big companies and the IT dept doesnt just randomly delete stuff as part of an IT update. Having grown up around the VA and DC area, I'm not surprised. I used to be impressed when I saw a TLA on a cv. Now, that dog only hunts what it wants and not what it needs. I'm coming out with a new TIMES (Terrorism, Intelligence, Misinformation and Economic) report for my new channel . Stay tuned. Again, I have to update the government on where I live at all times , but their own head of COINTEL from the 90s got overlooked by these genuiese ("I needed to bypass security protocols to install a printer driver ") and most recently, the head of the FBI Trump counter Intel investigations, is now in jail...for working with the Russians..I'm as dumb as bag of hammers but even I would have seen that one coming. In less than 100 lines of python code, we could flag potential American agents. The Russians are better old school spies, they don't live beyond their means. Anyways, if youre interested in the podcast video seriea, let me know. Check out CSIS.ORG and the blowback podcast for other references.

[@sillybilly121212]

The federal government is made up of stupid people. They aren’t paid well, they end up in the government because that’s the best they can do.

[@hiddendragon415]

In my country the gov department I contract to, big changes in circumstances including financial, relationship, travel overseas needs to be declared. Not sure if that was procedure back then in the FBI.

[@justlucky8254]

Exactly. I mean, the FBI were the ones who did my background check and dug thru my financial info and everything as part of going to work for the DoD, so youd think theyd check those people much more.

[@bower31]

They do now, cases like this being a perfect example of why that change happened

[@4g6XX]

The priest was like do what you want but leave the money here 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tommyjenkins7453]

Just what I was thinking,, Being a Baptist I must wonder what the Holy Mother spent it on

[@themazeballet]

I much prefer natural voice narration to AI narration, so it's good to hear! Also, I love a South African accent, so it's extra good.

[@BarbaraJoanneBJ]

South African? Thank you. I’ve been puzzling over the accent. Why are some words pronounced as if the narrator was from the American South?

[@Misses-Hippy]

I figured Virginia. But I should have known, whenever I cannot get a fix on an English accent, it is safe to default to South Africain. Maybe there is a historical connection. @@BarbaraJoanneBJ

[@theresachung703]

Dislike AI voice!

[@claytonbouldin9381]

I hate the AI generated narration on videos.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

I find the AI voices very grating and distracting. Especially the first grade level grammar and pronunciation mistakes. Irritating.

[@NoMoreBsPlease]

Instead of getting a smaller house and sending his kids to public schools, he seriously committed TREASON!?!?!

[@trailfork7815]

Two sides of the same coin so it doesn't really matter

[@NoMoreBsPlease]

@@trailfork7815 Ummmmm, wtf are you talking about? It's just a comment on how ridiculous his reasoning was.

[@sarge5431]

I wouldnt want to go to an 80's era public school either tbh

[@TimeLemur6]

Amazing what a sense of entitlement can do to you. Forgot wanting a livable wage, this man decided that his country owed him making his lifestyle affordable.

[@no.morexans]

Never settle

[@InAbundanceWithAubrey-bv1rh]

What a jerk that he would do those thing’s to his wife. Especially, having his friend watch. Her husband was a real scumbag.

[@aloraharward4386]

I’ve been wanting to learn more about Hanssen because his daughter Susan is a professor at my school. This is crazy…

[@maggiee639]

Bonnie taught at my high school, they are interesting

[@georgefromdownthehall3334]

Fake news

[@maggiee639]

@@georgefromdownthehall3334 nope, I doubt op is lying either. Their daughter was a teacher

[@aloraharward4386]

@@georgefromdownthehall3334 Google search which university she’s at. Rather not doxx myself but it’s public information

[@rhye_guy7717]

​@@georgefromdownthehall3334 moron

[@if6was929]

After years of harassing him and his family, Brian Kelley eventually received apologies from both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. In 2007, the year after he retired, the C.I.A. awarded him its Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

[@goingoutonmyshield2811]

That's the least they could do for the poor guy! Bet they ruined any chance of his children or other family for working for them, they really dragged him through a rough time for nothing, all because they where to stupid to give Hassen a Lie detector test. SMDH

[@lolodee3528]

An agency without ability to admit wrongdoing is self-destructive.

[@pmccoy8924]

@@lolodee3528 The agencies have been a mere shell of themselves. Massive overreach, incompetence, and egos. They are the 4th branch of government. Half the branches of government are unelected being judicial and alphabet agencies. It is the reason why there is immense rot from within. They no longer work for the people but for the shit lord offices that put them in the position they're in.

[@fluke196c]

@@lolodee3528 like the current US president and his immediate family?

[@josedorsaith5261]

​@@fluke196c And every federal enforcement agency

[@do3807]

The bought a house, ran the entire operation on paper, literally manufactured a whole job and position for him... INCLUDING a parking spot?!? The feds weren't playing around with this one lmao

[@kingforaday8725]

Evidently didnt work as he realized the promotion and new job was a farce!

[@do3807]

@@kingforaday8725 lmao it worked well enough to secure the evidence, that ensured he would die in prison lol. He only started to clue in when the feds had what they needed and they caught him jn the act, that's as successful as it gets

[@Kburd-wr6dq]

Imagine he vowed to never be a traitor right before he got caught in the act. Dude could have had a good gig going.

[@67Zink]

Yeah..the "PLAY" would come later when they SPIED on a legit President and his staff....

[@do3807]

@@67Zink let's be real, if you're in politics or a celebrity, forget privacy. From media, or government agencies lmao. Especially in this day and age

[@Blalack77]

And where he says he intended to "make some spare cash and get out of the spy game fast" - that was basically my same idea when I started messing with cocaine after I'd been completely drug free for 7 years.. It was like, "My wife left me, I have sleep apnea, I'm always totally exhausted and I work 12 hour overnight shifts in a sawmill - so I'll just get a little cocaine and feel a little spry this weekend and then not mess with it anymore.." Well, 4 months later and I owe my guy $900 (when I make $750 a week), I feel like I can't do without it and I fully intend to ask my doctor for Disulfiram... Hopefully I can dig my way back out. I think - hopefully - I've learned my lesson to never go into something dangerous, sketchy, unhealthy, addictive, etc. with the intention of "getting back out quickly" - because you always get sucked into the black hole...

[@theresachung703]

You have my absolute respect for being able to be drug free for so long. Breaking addiction is hard business but you sound like a smart, decent and insightful person who had a rough time of it and reached for what would feel good fast. But you’ve shown determination and persistence and it sounds like you’re gonna find your way back. I wish you much grace and strength. But boy, I admire you for getting back on the horse. 🙏

[@poloska9471]

That’s rough bro, but if you can, keep working towards a better life, if you have skills, think about how you can implement those skills to make more money in a more comfortable way and perhaps surround yourself with a lot of love and care for those people as much as you can - addiction often comes from (1) distaste for lifestyle (so changing it can be a positive), and (2) loneliness/etc

[@kdawson020279]

Kudos on recognizing the problem and having the self-awareness. I'm in long term recovery from alcohol (14 years) and narcotics that were a consequence of brain and spinal surgery (4 years). You stumbled. The choice to stand up again is tough when it's so much easier to just lie there. I wish you the best, and I hope you can slay the dragon. Stay strong, and have a happy and sober new year!

[@josedorsaith5261]

You can do it, mate. My only advice: get yourself a change of environment. Whether that's moving to a new town or staying with relatives - go where you don't have any hookups. It makes life easier

[@FunkSwaggMusiK]

Sounds like Me With Alcohol for the last 3 weeks my friend. We will make it. This is only just a set back but its not the end. 💯🫡🙏🏿

[@screamobaby]

Just started watching and I wasnt expecting a South African accent. What a nice surprise. Regards, from JHB.

[@efnissien]

In a previous job I used to pass lie detector tests regularly - I lied through all of them. I just followed the advice given to Aldrich Ames "Just relax" but also trying 'the stress gambit' (hyperventilating while waiting for the test). So if a slob like me can piss through a lie detector test, putting the in top managers of the FBI through lie detector tests isn't going to achieve much (especially as they know the lie detector's short comings). The fact Hanssen's contact didn't show, would be an indicator of another spy.

[@acorn8170]

Exactly my thought about the guy not showing up

[@efnissien]

@@acorn8170 Unless the Russians spycraft was better - maybe they had the dead letterbox under observation or the agent doing the 'pick up' was in the immediate area and saw Hanssen getting arrested (it's better to pick up stuff from a dead letter drop as quickly as possible - there's less chance of it being accidentally discovered by a curious third party and any time sensitive data remains 'fresh').

[@acorn8170]

@efnissien I had a few of those in my thoughts as well.

[@efnissien]

​@@acorn8170 Yep. You've also probably thought the same as me with the 'other' scenario. That there's another spy that was higher up and that Hanssen being close to the end of his career and usefulness, was just thrown to the wolves.

[@acorn8170]

@efnissien ooooh...no I didn't but that is a very smart idea.

[@barbarapaige]

This was an interesting video. I love that you don't include distracting music and side effects - just concentrate on the story. I'm curious why his wife was not charged, as she knew what he was doing. He was a really bad husband though, and the worst of traitors. I'm glad he wound up in a super-max prison. His actions hurt and killed a lot of people.

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

Yes! NO MUSIC.

[@mrMagpied]

Agreed. The constant overstimulation by background music, and horrible editing with constant changes is too much.

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

One person's music is another person's NOISE! I don't make people listen to my music, yet I am forced to listen to someone else's.@@mrMagpied

[@christianhansen3292]

she wasnt complict. she knew of to a small degree but not about, and the compartentalization.

[@jeffclark7888]

Thank you for no music!

[@jsmith1746]

While in college in the 1990s, I took a couple of classes on National Security and Global Politics from a visiting CIA officer who was part of a CIA recruitment program to identify gifted students who would be interested in an intelligence career. While I was nowhere near smart enough to go in to that field, the classes were quite fascinating. This was right after the time when Aldrich Ames was caught and convicted and it turns out my professor knew Ames quite well, having worked with him off and on over 20+ years. One of the things my professor mentioned in class was that it was well accepted in the agency that every person has a price at which they can be bought.

[@thedude4672]

I dated a girl who had many advanced degrees (PhD, MBA, JD) who tried to join the FBI and CIA. Her narcissism knew no bounds, just as egotistical as one can be. I don't think she was ever accepted, which is probably good. She was one of those "I have to be the alpha and smartest person in the room" dopes. I broke up with her because I didn't trust her. She refused to ever speak with me again. Guess I bruised her ego.

[@user-bf2cv9xo7x]

Did they ever mention minim IQ levels? My experience with law enforcement is that, after years of training and experience, many of them are outperformed by members of the public with zero law enforcement training or experience.

[@trishahopkins8199]

I don't think you have to be that smart to join the alphabet agencies. Judging by this documentary they all seem as dumb as a box of rocks

[@stutzbearcat5624]

You're smart enough. Trust me. Plenty of those guys aren't that smart. I know them.

[@C6Z06J]

Almost spit my drink out! "Hand that money over to Mother Teresa" Hahaha gotta love the church. No thats bad, but hand it over

[@sabre22b]

And her being such a paradigm of virtuous Christ - like living...

[@ezaf5989]

I’m pretty sure that means give it to charity lmao… if your iq is that low why comment,

[@colonelkurtz2269]

Religion poisons everything Christopher Hitchens RIP

[@stormchaser9738]

It’s not like the priest said give it to his organization (opus dei), he asked to give it to charitable works on another continent. What would you have had the man do to demonstrate repentance? Give the money back to the KGB?

[@tacokoneko]

25:00 working in a US intelligence agency in the 80s and hearing someone say "gee it'll be nice when i retire to poland someday" has to be the most sus moment EVER

[@goingoutonmyshield2811]

This deserves some kind of KZbin achievement award! There was a lot of information in this documentary not covered in the movie Breach you could redo an even cooler movie based on this, well done!

[@johnbrowne2170]

Master Spy was another movie based on the Robert Hansen story.

[@goingoutonmyshield2811]

Ill have to check that out@@johnbrowne2170

[@John-63]

He stole all the film clips from other Doc's. He stole all the dialogue from other researchers from years of research long before the DARPA internet, you know, when you actually had to travel, read & gather documents from all over the world. Seriously U-tube is a joke.

[@tokumei1282]

He just read an article written by someone else and put photos to it

[@untermench3502]

The FBI was warned in 1983 and the evidence was given to Hanssen's supervisor.

[@poloska9471]

Plot twist: the supervisor is a spy too

[@poloska9471]

Plot twist 2: the entire organization is GRU/KGB/FSB-ran

[@poloska9471]

Plot twist 3: the U.S. is controlled by Putin but made to look independent

[@poloska9471]

Plot twist 4: the Earth is an alien genetics lab/farm and humanity are the employees

[@poloska9471]

Plot twist 5: humans are a simulation inside of an alien simulation who are a simulation

[@thornil2231]

"Intelligence agencies" the worst cases of false advertising.

[@renalreilly67]

What an ignorant comment. They get things right time and time again. Their "wins" are almost never made public. Their failures are spread across the world wide news. Which is where your ignorant comment comes from. Someone with no ACTUAL knowledge of any of our intelligence agencies likely hears others make negative comments about the agencies, and you take that comment as fact, label yourself in the know, and run with it. Instead you should be thanking all the men and women that do what they do everyday that allows you to exist as you do. Stop acting like you know what you are talking about, and have some dam respect.

[@ryanehlis426]

That’s so true 😂

[@larrylambert1220]

Like the Pot Store from The Simpsons.

[@tomekk.1889]

Intelligence as in information

[@thornil2231]

you are not too bright, are you?@@tomekk.1889

[@priscamolotsi]

I feel so sorry for his wife and kids. I hope they could move on and have a better life.

[@victorseger6044]

Part of his guilty plea was that his wife would get his pension.. but the families punishment is going through the rest of their lives with the stigma that a husband and father is the subject of biggest intelligence failure in United States history..

[@priscamolotsi]

@@zer0gue223 thank you for the update🧡

[@WobblesandBean]

​@@zer0gue223 I'm glad she understands her dad is a waste of oxygen who isn't even worth accepting as a gamete donor.

[@GaryPritchard]

One word : brilliant. Using your own voice makes the story even more interesting than it already is. Well done Philip. Can’t wait for the next one

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

I find his accent unbearable. He sounds like an Australian but sometimes like an American hillbilly.

[@Hollylivengood]

Where is he from? He sounds like a guy from Kentucky imitating a British accent.

[@GaryPritchard]

@@Hollylivengood South Africa

[@acorn8170]

​@@Hollylivengoodi heard the southern in there also

[@Hollylivengood]

@@acorn8170 When someone answered South Africa, I figured that would explain it. Ever noticed how a British accent mixed with a little sunshine and honey sounds the same worldwide?

[@Fearmylogic]

This was not only professionally put together, but your voice over was done very well! You conveyed all the important information, without feeling like you was bogging us down with pointless facts, but gave us enough information about his personality, especially with his home life, to help us put together a clearer picture of this man. I can't wait to go back, and check out your older videos!

[@janmcclure6239]

I have problems with the pronunciations "Poto mac" Or however it was said, is not Potomac with long O sounds

[@cattymajiv]

@@janmcclure6239 Nitpicking.

[@SaidHamideh]

Maybe he shouldn't have moved to Scarsdale, NY and put his kids in private schools if he was worried about his "meager" government salary. Another privileged bozo. There are so many people like this in our country.

[@jamesharris9816]

Gotta keep up with the wife, family and friends expectations. You build the grave you lie in.

[@jessica-jeannotneeded5501]

Maybe too he could have avoided having so many children?

[@WobblesandBean]

​@@jessica-jeannotneeded5501 Birth control wasn't exactly commonplace back then.

[@yaelz6043]

It's called being a capitalist you commie.

[@SuperCatacata]

@@jessica-jeannotneeded5501 You miss the part about him being Catholic? Those guys are allergic to birth control unfortunately.

[@Mordant.Melodys]

This was an awesome listen! First time on your channel. Not that it means much coming from a random comment, but your attention to detail, pacing, tone and video editing are amongst the best in the genre. You deserve all the subs and success that is coming your way.

[@PhilipThompson]

It's not just a random comment, I appreciate receiving your feedback! Thank you, and happy new year!

[@jshumphress13]

The movie "Breach" is worth a watch. It is more about his apprehension and not the actual spying. Great cast and overall solid movie.

[@nodsib]

Was going to comment this, the movie was an interesting look into this story, although I’m sure somewhat fictionalized for Hollywood.

[@maggiee639]

Bonnie was my religion teacher and lived maybe 2 miles away from me in my town. This case is very familiar to me and you did a great job.

[@snubbedpeer]

Since Hanssen was so fond of "spying methods" perhaps he had arranged a signal to be sent to the receiver of the last drop in Foxstone park. But as he was arrested right after the drop he never got the opportunity to send that signal and nobody showed up. Great storytelling! 🤞

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

I’d say Hanssen not showing up to the meeting was a message in and of itself.

[@seNor916x4]

I remember seeing this on the front page of the news back in early 2001, I’ve always been fascinated by this case.

[@georgeholloway3981]

Hanson seems like a narcissist. Amazing that his high-risk personality was not detected by the FBI.

[@cybermgo]

Is Hanssen…

[@jesuisdenis5739]

He was an orthodox catholic who are among the worst traitors. Today he would have been one a crazy MAGA christian.

[@FlyMysticalDJ]

@@cybermgothanks bud, what would we do without you!

[@spider-ball]

I'd say so as well: beyond the typical grandiosity you have the fact that he wanted to be seen and recognized as a certain person. Carrying a PPK so he could literally be James Bond, putting his sex life on public display, and most of this problems with his superiors was "no one recognized me for my talent". The money was a nice bonus, because what he really wanted was to be called the Best FBI Agent.

[@gzer0x]

I mean the FBI was literally built and run by Hoover (I mean that guy is a psych textbook in himself) for 50 years, only in 1972 … so this kind of person was honestly their preferred candidate back then

[@garyjohnson1466]

Interesting…Hanson looks familiar, as a navy veteran who was on active duty during 70/80/90s, it’s sad that such FBI agents went so long undetected, such traitors go undetected when they are looking for themselves, like in the the movie “The Departed”, the greatest threats always come from within, as they are still occurring today, within the government, especially when you get someone in the highest seat in the government who is secretly compromising secrets, then claiming he has immunity, no one should be above suspicion or the law…

[@poloska9471]

Indeed, however, that suspicion and law must be applied with respect to constitution and law - too often we have seen this be used as an excuse to invade privacy, to take rights, to take control over people in a tyrannical manner. This being said, this applies more to the intelligence agencies and government than to any normal people. The system must be kept accountable to the agreement by which it and its constituents exist.

[@garyjohnson1466]

@@poloska9471 I agree, my comment was directed at those in government positions with access to sensitive classified information, those responsible for protecting such information need a tracking system to know where that document is at all times and who viewed that document, to include even the president, and his staff members, no one should retain any document who has access to a copier...

[@46bovine]

The FBI’s hubris rears its head frequently and it bites them on its collective ass!

[@203bigd]

Didn’t Biden have a bunch of similar documents in his garage? I wonder who had access to his garage and our improperly removed and stored info during that time. Hopefully no crackheads…oh wait

[@Talkinknicks]

Biden

[@NappyRB]

They literally built a room just to just catch Hanson that’s dedication

[@TimGreig]

Eventually

[@cattymajiv]

They had to! He was doing a massive amount of damage!

[@lisaann3840]

he was a very dangerous spy. He made a mess.

[@mindimoom9142]

This is brilliant. Not something I would normally watch but I was enthralled from the start. Well done. I'm off to watch some more of your videos.

[@Chewiebakke]

This is a very impressive piece of top quality work; very well done! No emotionally manipulative music or language, just 50-odd minutes of facts and details delivered clearly in a wonderful accent - South African?

[@PhilipThompson]

Thank you! And yes, I'm originally from SA.

[@margaretcollins2374]

@@PhilipThompsonI was wondering too! The "times" being "tahms" were a pretty strong hint

[@khaosarts2089]

If this wasn't a sequel to the Aldrich Aimes story, i don't know what is. Even time period wise. What are the odds I'd be watching these back to back today.

[@thundabearz5092]

Algorithmically, the odds are pretty high.

[@BigStrongSon]

You really know how to write a script my friend. This entire video kept me glued to the screen from start to finish. Looking forward to more content of this quality

[@mrsockyman]

My old manager mentioned stiffy disks made for some funny interactions, apparently asking their manager back in the day: "do you have a stiffy for me?" 😂

[@liquidpatriot4480]

If their answer is yes and yes run, just run 😅

[@lindiehammond7921]

As a woman and a Mother, I think his most immoral act was against his innocent wife. Having her most intimate moments with her husband shared with his friend and who else knows, as she remained loyal and faithful bearing him 6 children? Yes his most infamous crimes of espionage and treason caused more crime and death and he no doubt spent his remaining days imprisoned over, I can’t image his wife being confronted with what he had done to her and her children no doubt knowing, her family and loved ones as well, had to be truly heartbreaking. She had in some ways held m to his treachery for many years believing he stopped his criminal activities but never did and also broke their marriage bond in every way.

[@BlisaBLisa]

yea that was deranged. him causing the deaths of several people is objectively the worse crime but what he did to his wife was the more sociopathic one. he got those people killed because of his greed, but he exploited his wife because he got off to dehuminizing her. i suspect she stayed with him due to how religiously conservative they were and how the church likely wasnt fond of divorce

[@drazlet]

It’s insane how many lives he happily provided just for some money. He’s just as guilty for these murders as the Soviets

[@zhebebe]

I think he enjoyed the espionage, the thrill, no less than the money

[@lenitaa7938]

It’s horrible that the two agents he sold out were executed! He didn’t seem to have any remorse!! Was he a Sociopath?

[@mikejewpants4099]

This video did not explore whether Hansen experienced remorse or not. It is entirely possible that he experienced enormous remorse, but his lawyer (quite justifiably) told him to shut up and avoid speaking with the media. Was he a Sociopath? That is a good question. I would love to see that question explored, in another video. with more information about his state of mind. His wife was a practicing Catholic and he screwed her good. A normal human being would be been wrecked with guilt and remorse.

[@hamishford5486]

Did you not listen as to how his unfortunate early childhood psychology was developed?????????

[@MandenTV]

No, he was not a sociopath. Regular people are capable of extraordinary acts in extraordinary circumstances. Please don’t be stupid.

[@elizabethsohler6516]

@@MandenTV What evidence is your assertion based onI ? am not a mental health professional. With that said, I would imagine that most spies are sociopaths to some degree since their job involves betraying people. Obviously anyone is capable of betrayal at any time for any reason but to build an entire career around it for years suggests a high degree of cold-bloodedness. Maybe a real MH professional will, elaborate. Also note: There is a difference between a sociopath and a psychopath.

[@philsurtees]

They were spies for the United States. Criminals working for the biggest terrorist organisation on the planet. For all we know, hundreds of people died as a result of their work. Maybe Hansen didn't feel any remorse because the world was a better place without them? Oh ... wait ... I forgot ... the Americans are the good guys, right? They aren't the most evil regime on the planet, starting illegal wars, murdering innocent people on a regular basis, overthrowing legitimate governments, stealing the recourses of poor countries, etc., etc., etc., so all of their spies are good guys too. Is that it? _HA HA HA!_ You look thirsty. Have another big glass of the Kool-Aid...

[@johnbrowne2170]

How ironic that the priest tells Hansen to turn over his money to Mother Teresa who turned out to be a complete fraud herself.

[@patriciagrenier9082]

Oh, how is she a fraud? I do not know? Interesting 😮

[@user-nn9kx7ku6h]

As is the catholic cult. A complete fraud. Why are people so blind? It,s a cult, not a church.

[@thomasswafford250]

Little of her money actually went to helping the sick and the dying most of it went evidently to training more nuns. Her hospital was really a nightmare. She didn't really try to leave most people suffering cuz she thought that they're suffering brought them closer to God and would refuse to give them much treatment. On the other hand when she became ill she made sure she got the best medical treatment available.

[@johnbrowne2170]

@@thomasswafford250 This is true. Mother Teresa, who always flew first class, was only interested in baptizing the babies for the pope and it didn't much matter if they lived or died.

[@lukassimontm3546]

Sanitary conditions in the so called "hospitals" were horrendous. They didn't even give painkillers to the patients, let alone really treat any ailment. (And it was definately NOT due to money issues, they had much more than enough!) She even said it was "beautiful to see the suffering" 😢 Really messed up.

[@Welcome2TheOhioState]

Babe wake up, new Philip Thompson banger just dropped

[@monkeywritingshakespeare9744]

As a southerner, this accent is swirling around the uncanny valley. Not bad. Its just tripping me out.

[@TheArtofFugue]

I love the other narrators voice, but I like how both of you MAINTAIN the same quality, even tho ik you’re both just narrators… some narrators really change everything (in a bad way) with just how they speak. Great video! Thanks!

[@dewetmaartens359]

Just out of interest, the first narator is South African.

[@TheArtofFugue]

@@dewetmaartens359is it so? That’s neat!

[@johnnybodangus2529]

The other narrator was a computer

[@lalaboards]

I especially love the southern accent .

[@thecatwrangler9448]

@@johnnybodangus2529100% lmao, I use the same software to make tiktoks

[@canoaslan1011]

How does the FBI allow him to fall into a financial situation, and once he does, how are they not able to see, his income is simply not even enough for mortgage, school fees and living expenses. Is it even possible they never checked these tings for all of their employees. and when he was able to simply live comfortable, without having the income, they never realised this aswell?

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

He was 6'3". All tall people are trustworthy. Um. Uh. Make that "trusted." Crooked people are short and have bad teeth. "Everybody" knows that. (And common sense is that sense which tells us that the Earth is flat...)

[@rogerwalker9191]

Good point!🤔

[@jeffclark7888]

The same as Aldrich Ames.

[@-C0mr4d3_C0VID]

Idk if you’re old enough to remember the days before Google, but when Hanssen was doing his thing, computers were in their infancy and the internet wasn’t even a thing. Even in the early 2000s, online banking was just barely becoming a thing, and it was mostly to check your balance. Any investigations into someone’s finances had to be conducted by examining the LITERAL books of records on paper in the banks.

[@user-sc7fk5ys6x]

Conundrum of the American economy isn’t it… That all the careers defending the country require living in a capital city where the property values exceed what a reasonable paycheck can possibly cover. Does that sound like a broken system?

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

I'm quite familiar with this guy, being in the Military we're briefed (almost in excess) about the dangers of espionage. Hansen, Pollard and Ames are the intel leak big 3. I know Hansen's story back and forth, but I love seeing other people's takes on these grave violations of our national security. Thanks, Philip!

[@victorseger6044]

You left out the Walkers

[@EJ-V8Bikes]

Aweome video! I can't imagine the amount of time and effort required to put this very thorough documentary together. I love your voice as it''s very genuine and helps keep me interested.❤

[@PhilipThompson]

Thank you EJ, really appreciate it!

[@sidstovell2177]

Agreed 💯%

[@gabriellafox7948]

Agree!🇨🇦

[@JimMilton-ej6zi]

So wait, they could afford to waste money on an oversized dollhouse just to put him in to spy on him, they could afford an in-house gun range, but they couldn't pay people a living wage?

[@kphaxx]

lol

[@margyrowland]

Why didn’t the FBI investigate his finances?

[@jjr1728]

They should do now but back then I guess they trusted their people more?

[@monalisa5220]

Excellent documentary. Covers all aspects of this story. Very comprehensive. Bravo!

[@libertas57]

If nobody came to pick up Hanson's last drop, where he was to be arrested, it must be presumed that the other side was tipped off by yet another mole!

[@VaderPopsVicodin10]

Well done! This story's always fascinated me and you covered all the bases to form a full-on comprehensive account of this turncoat.. well done!✨👍🏻

[@samsmusichub]

How cool and stressful would it be to be Eric O'Neill. What a cool guy.

[@MoonlitWood]

It is kind of funny how we look at Robert and think "How could this man betray his country", but then you look at the various Russian defectors that he compromised, people who themselves were betraying their country, and feel bad about what happened to them. Not to side with Russia, of course, it's just funny how perspective changes things.

[@AFN.90210]

Absolutly true

[@nwonomad]

This case was fascinating and the whole episode is enthralling... How insane do you have to be to be a double agent (That's twice as crazy as being an agent)

[@camilordofficial]

What a great video, thanks dude!

[@chadczternastek]

Great channel! I really enjoy spy stuff and i appreciate these uploads. I seriously hope your channel grows. It will im sure.

[@debbiesims138]

He died June 5, 2023 in prison.

[@starrycrown]

Thank you for actually narrating these yourself. Great voice, too!

[@E-Kat]

This is a high quality documentary as it doesn't include background music or visual special effects! Thank you so much. You're ahead of everyone else! 👍

[@NuclearMango.]

I Love, _LOVE_ documentaries like this. Well researched, well read, and well edited. Even network news hours can't hold you a candle to go by. Remarkable! Immediate subscriber. And heading to your past videos now to lose myself in information bliss.

[@lenitaa7938]

I’m surprised they missed his cancer diagnosis in a prison, esp a colon cancer! He would have been very sick for quite some time! It seems deliberate! Didn’t his family notice??

[@raphaellavictoria01]

my mother died of intestinal cancer. She had no symptoms, until the main tumor mass blocked her kidney. It was diagnosed in the terminal, metastatic stage. It depends on how aggressive the cancer is, and the exact type. There's a reason why screening for colon cancer is important. Occult fecal blood detection, and a once every 10 years colonoscopy after age 50, more often if there's family history.

[@thundabearz5092]

Also, he was in prison. Prison medicine is notoriously terrible.

[@SuperCatacata]

@@thundabearz5092 Depends on the state, and the specific prison. Some prisons have better medical care than your typical American who isn't a criminal. He was put in a prison with the worst of the worst. So it's no wonder the medical care might've been lacking.

[@marcojuarez3358]

Magnificent well done. Very enjoyable and entertaining...

[@StickHits]

Excellent job writing and producing this one mate

[@Malaclypse_the_Third]

The American obsession with lie detectors is hilarious to everyone outside the country. They're an object for day time tv drama.

[@BlisaBLisa]

i have not considered this is an america-specific disease but im glad to hear that. its insane that we still use them

[@donaldcole2539]

I always enjoy your documentaries. Thanks

[@Forevermade32]

Wow I’m so glad I found your channel this is elite content man I’m blown away from the quality of your videos

[@user-hm4hh1dq5g]

Excellent narrative. The story is covered in depth and in perfect English (a rarity on the Net).

[@TheTexasmick]

Robert, I promise you, did NOT "drop out of Dental School." You can rest assured that he unfortunately FLUNKED out. Dental School is hard, and it's all too easy to flunk out. Nobody goes 3 1/2 years and suddenly "drops out" just before getting their doctor's degree. They are kicked out because they can't do the work. It's sometimes a brutal world out there, but ask yourself if you want a doctor treating you who doesn't know what he's doing?

[@BumboLooks]

And that's not true. You can be a completely average person and pass dental school in the US today. Half the dentists in the US today didn't get qualified in America or purchased their qualifications overseas without studying. This isn't the 1970's anymore. The one person I know who actually studied locally is nothing more than a sociopath who pretended to be friends with an older clinic owner just so he could inherit the clinic for free. He wasn't a particularly great student and wouldn't be a dentist if there was no prestige associated with it. Hanssen clearly wasn't an idiot and was chasing after prestige / money. That's the only reason he even considered being a dentist. He definitely didn't leave because he didn't know what he was doing. Dentistry, like plastic surgery is full of very average people who think they're geniuses when they are nothing more than greedy sociopathic clout seekers.

[@thedude4672]

I've had many bad dentists who were not bright, so I have a hard time believing dental school is all that difficult.

[@TheTexasmick]

You should change your moniker to "DumboLooks"@@BumboLooks

[@TheSnoeedog]

I'm just going to throw this out there, admittedly knowing nothing whatsoever about dental school. I was pursuing a double major in maths and physics when I *DROPPED OUT* (not flunked; I still have a high-B average) during the break between first and second semesters, my 4th year. So I elected to not finish, taking my life in a different direction, after exactly that (three and a half years) in a challenging and academic field. Incidentally, 20 years later, I'm a semester and change away from a bachelor's in philosophy, with a minor in economics. Life throws us in all sorts of directions. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the idea that someone drops out of a race right near the end....what could you possibly know about what other factors played into it? Live well.

[@TheSnoeedog]

@@thedude4672 no idea how hard it is, but up here in Soviet Canuckistan, a degree/professional credentials in dentistry, like their pharmacy counterparts, are blank cheques; almost literally licenses to print money.

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Madness. Normal, everyday Madness.

[@anneceferron4595]

First video I watch on your channel. Super interesting!! Great job, thanks.

[@Capo51]

Great document ✌️. Thank you 4 sharing 👍. Happy to find yr vlog.

[@lostmojo]

No one goes from any belief straight to Opus Dei without being deeply false. Anyway, congrats to his supervisor for not digging into his finances; didn't they immediately notice what he was affording?

[@burningphoneix]

It didn't seem to me like he was living too extravagantly. He drove a Ford Taurus for starters. Most of it seemed to go to private schools, mortgages and diamond necklaces for strippers.

[@Andyanddiana467]

Hah, I live in Westchester, next to Scarsdale. It is expensive- not surprised his motives were financial.

[@riffraff9070]

Great job! Really enjoyed this.

[@abc-wv4in]

Great video, btw. I'm about to watch your upload about Ames. Keep up the good work!

[@timor64]

The video is excellent. The most dispassionate and thorough documentary on this topic that I have seen. Your pronuciation of "Chicago" somehow makes things better. It reminds the viewer that we are watching an outsider taking an almost bird's eye view of the story.

[@nania222222]

He was able to spy for so long thanks to the wife and priest’s misguided trust.

[@jasonfauconier3371]

Good job, enjoyed this!

[@Currnation22]

Very well done documentary. I will be following for more content.

[@NRLAnalyst]

Philip Thompson take a bow

[@johnkidd1226]

Cant believe the FBI was dumb enough to refer to the two Soviets as M & M.

[@elliejobonney2926]

😅🤣😅

[@johnbronski]

Wow great video. Worked on the feature film "Breach", and this video lives up to the feature. Good stuff.

[@bobbates7343]

Very good coverage of a story I never heard about before.

[@umberct]

The minuscule amount of money Hansen made from being a spy, all I can say is “was it worth it.” Obviously the answer was NO! Being placed in ADX in Florence for a few schekels is absolutely insane.

[@yourwifesboyfriend6081]

Not as bad as Sgt Schultz who just got arrested for selling out his country for a whopping 43k. He just sailed 15 years of his life away over 1 year of BASE pay. I always expect to hear compensation in terms of millions when it comes to moles, although I personally think freedom and not betraying one’s country is worth far more than that, but it’s always these surprisingly minuscule figures. Obviously Hansen’s compensation ended up being relatively high, but for the value of information he provided and length he spied, he got pennies on the dollar. I think it ultimately boils down to the individual’s narcissism.

[@daisys8052]

The worst spy story I ever heard. This guy was a creep. His wife is a noble human. She surpassed herself in praying for his soul. Every person of faith is supposed to have such extraordinary empathy. Salutes to her

[@chipsdad5861]

Imagine if someone like this was elected President to the United States of America.

[@lalaboards]

@@chipsdad5861yup Biden should be in prison with Henson .

[@xman666soad]

Yeap. She’s a legit saint. God has her near. Praise the Lord. This man was something else.

[@jakklump]

Are you insane? She wasn't stupid, she knew HE WAS SPYING ON AMERICA FOR RUSSIA! She should have turned that traitor in- DID PRAYING MAKE HIM STOP HIS TRAITOROUS ESPIONAGE? Some people in this country are not intelligent enough to be qualified to vote. He MURDERED people and she enabled him- if that's christianity, it's obscene.

[@MandenTV]

You mean Jonathan pollard.

[@MAZZ0Murder]

I was unaware of this history, and it was presented really well!

[@lindameier5365]

It is so depressing to see once again how incompetent they can be.

[@do3807]

Yeah... Betrayed his country for coin and for Russian asspat, literally aped spy stories and strats, carried a "spy" gun, voyeured his wife without her permission, as he became some scuffed porn actor egging his friend to watch... The word narcissist is thrown around a lot but... Also he got M&M killed 😭

[@christopherr8441]

I prefer your voice more than the AI, but I’ll still watch your videos regardless. They are very well written, made, and narrated. Some of my favorite documentaries I have ever watched.

[@PhilipThompson]

Thank you Christopher!

[@carolinerichards3121]

@@PhilipThompson if you don’t mind me asking, I’ve gotta know where your accent is from. Been trying to figure it out but the way you pronounce your i’s and some a’s is throwing me off haha

[@auspilot6119]

@@carolinerichards3121it’s a South African accent

[@wesomey1304]

My grandfather would see him on walks in the same park were he would drop the information and talked to him a few times but never suspected anything

[@superm70]

Proudly South African!!! Love the channel ! Dankie baie

[@Gr13fKvlt]

Your accent is extremely unique and I can’t put my finger on it. It sounds English but also contains pronounciation found commonly in the southern United States.

[@krovvyyarbles]

south african

[@micheleedwin4004]

I agree South African

[@bitplaya7432]

I was watching this when it was deleted. Glad it got reuploaded.

[@PhilipThompson]

I spotted a mistake that needed fixing, which is why it was briefly taken down 😅

[@immortalsun]

​@@PhilipThompsonNow I’m curious what the mistake was!

[@maryleemccown8889]

Very interesting and thorough documentary!

[@theresaterpening9225]

Philip Thompson was all the detail required. Sickening beyond measure

[@donnajustice2296]

I grew up in this era. I really enjoyed learning about something, I'm ashamed to say, that was happening back then. I didn't know about it because I was an empty vessel. I was busy raising kids, I was also mild manic. It turns out I was bi-polar. No fun. More serious than you think. I almost died at my own hand, but, I lived and since I lived, I can see so much I never knew. Well, hope you have a great day!

[@uraniumu242]

You may want the look into narcissistic personality disorder since you associate these major events with your own life.

[@Caleb_Mandrake872]

13:09 - Catholic Priest changed his mind & said give the Russian money to his Church.

[@robertplatte5700]

good show brother, obviously well researched

[@ChristopherGonzalez1280]

Thank you for this

[@sashageorge9262]

Wow. Just awful! I hope FBI & CIA made changes to prevent it. Hanssen destroyed many lives. Crazy.

[@SuperCatacata]

The fact that he exposed his wife like that against her will says all you need to know about him. Sad story.