Arrested by the KGB and taken to the Lubyanka prison (237)

Marti Peterson was the first female CIA operative to be assigned to Moscow, probably the most challenging posting during the Cold War.

Don't miss the previous episode here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode236/

This second episode turns to TRIGON, the code name for Alexandr Ogorodnik. He was an official in the Soviet Embassy in Bogota, Columbia recruited by the CIA in 1973. Marti and TRIGON never met in person, but they shared information through dead drops and intelligence. We hear about the tradecraft involved.

Marti is arrested by KGB agents and taken to Moscow's Lubyanka Prison for questioning and talks in detail about that experience.

UK listeners buy Marti's the book here and support the podcast

US listeners buy Marti's the book here and support the podcast

0:00 Introduction and Marti Peterson's role in the Cold War

2:33 Recruitment of Trigon by the CIA

10:06 Marti's first dead drop for Trigon and surveillance evasion techniques

18:24 Marti Peterson's account of her adrenaline-filled Cold War operations

24:12 The value and dissemination of Trigon's intelligence

29:55 Growing concerns about Trigon's safety and attempts to communicate

33:11 The dead drop and Marti's unexpected encounter

37:12 Marti Peterson's arrest, interrogation, and release

49:59 Marti Peterson's return to the US and the discovery of Trigon's fate

57:38 The aftermath: Trigon's unknown daughter in Bogota and his real identity

1:00:21 Marti's meeting with President Jimmy Carter

1:02:34 Episode notes, acknowledgement of financial supporters and call for donations

1:03:25 The Cold War Conversations online store

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I am delighted to welcome Marti Peterson to our Cold War conversation…

Episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode237/

Episode one is here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode236/

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