Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War

Step into the covert world of Russian espionage with this revealing insider's account of how the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS) operate across the globe. Drawing on years of CIA field experience, Sean M. Wiswesser exposes the tactics, tradecraft, and mindset of the RIS--making this a must-read for anyone fascinated by spies, sabotage, and the high-stakes intelligence war between Russia and the West.

Unmask the shadowy world of Russian espionage with this riveting exploration of the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS) and their global clandestine operations. With decades of experience as a CIA operations officer, author Sean M. Wiswesser takes readers deep into the heart of Maskirovka--the Russian art of denial, deception, and manipulation. Using historical examples and firsthand accounts, this book reveals the tactics employed by the three main services of Russia's intelligence apparatus: the SVR, GRU, and FSB. Learn about the RIS' use of double agents, surveillance, and "street work," honeytraps, sabotage, active measures, assassinations, the RIS roles in the Russo-Ukraine War, and much more.

Wiswesser's unparalleled expertise comes from years of sitting across from Russian intelligence officers, operating overseas, and using their own methods against them. As a member of the CIA's expert cadre in the Directorate of Operations, he worked closely with the U.S. intelligence community and foreign allies, gaining a unique perspective on the RIS' global reach. Now, he shares that knowledge in a candid, plain-speaking style designed to inform and galvanize readers from all walks of life.

This book is more than an exposé--it's a toolkit for understanding and countering the RIS' manipulative tactics. Wiswesser breaks down ten key elements of their tradecraft, offering invaluable insights to intelligence professionals, academics, business leaders, NGO workers, and private citizens alike. With a deep grounding in Russian language, culture, and intelligence traditions, he provides readers with the context they need to grasp the RIS' methods and motivations.

Written for the general reader, this compelling account combines expert analysis with real-world stories, making it both accessible and deeply informative. Whether you're a practitioner in the field or simply curious about the world of espionage, the author's narrative will open your eyes to the global threat posed by Russian intelligence and equip you with the knowledge to recognize and resist their tactics. Prepare to be captivated, informed, and empowered.

Author: Sean M. Wiswesser
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Published: 04/21/2026
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.10w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781682476017

About the Author
Sean M. Wiswesser has nearly thirty years of experience working as a national security professional with intelligence, foreign service, and defense organizations. As a senior operations officer with the CIA, he served on multiple overseas tours and many other deployments on temporary duty, including war-zone service. He was a chief of station and had multiple joint-duty assignments with intelligence community partners. Sean was a Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a bachelor's degree in history and Russian & Slavic linguistics. He was awarded a Master of Strategic Studies in 2023 from the Air War College and received the Russia Integrated Deterrence Award.