, Columnist
Estonian Spies Understand the Russian Threat
Finally, a comprehensive look at Putin's ambitions backed by real expertise.
Borderline.
Image: iStock/Getty ImagesTiny Estonia's intelligence service would never pay $100,000 to a random Russian for some open-source data, which is what the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency apparently did, according to the New York Times. It's one of the Western world's few spy services with real Russia expertise, owed to its widespread fluency in the language; a deep understanding of the culture; and a relentless focus on its giant, dangerous neighbor.