Jack Barsky: A KGB Sleeper Agent’s Undercover Life

Jack Barsky—born Albrecht Dittrich—was a sleeper agent for the KGB, operating in the United States from 1978 to 1988. He was exposed after the Cold War, after which he became a resource for US counterintelligence agencies who allowed him to remain in the United States. What was life like as a sleeper agent? How did Jack employ persuasion and influence to gather intel for the KGB? What ultimately led him to part ways with the Soviet Union? Jack shares his fascinating life story with me in this episode of Negotiations Ninja. Do NOT miss it.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:47] The life of sleeper agent Jack Barsky
• [4:46] How Jack was persuaded to become a sleeper agent
• [6:55] The training Jack received from the KGB
• [10:33] The process of assimilation 
• [14:53] Jack’s first mission in the US
• [16:55] The one time Jack thought he had been discovered
• [23:19] How Jack ended up cooperating with the FBI
• [27:43] Switching loyalty from the Soviets to the United States
• [31:21] Jack Barsky’s take on Vladimir Putin
• [36:34] How to learn more about Jack Barsky

Resources & People Mentioned

• Zbigniew Brzezinski

Connect with Jack Barsky

• Jack Barsky’s website
• Jack’s book: Deep Undercover
• The Agent Podcast

Connect With Mark

• Follow Negotiations Ninja on Twitter: @NegotiationPod
• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
• Follow Negotiations Ninja on LinkedIn
• Connect on Instagram: @NegotiationPod 

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