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Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government has promoted a militarized masculinity, contrasting "real men" who serve with those who flee. Propaganda shames deserters while glorifying soldiers, including criminals in groups like Wagner. Military service is portrayed as a route to wealth and status for working-class men, normalizing violence, including sexual violence against both women and male POWs. Returning soldiers, emboldened by their experiences, often commit domestic abuse with impunity. This reshaping of Russian masculinity fuels wartime violence. Meanwhile, Russian elites stay loyal to the regime, fearing loss of status and rejecting Western refuge, further bolstering anti-Western narratives.

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The "Moscow Rules" are a set of survival guidelines created during the Cold War to help spies operate covertly in Moscow, a city under constant surveillance. These rules emphasized that everyone, even seemingly ordinary people, could be a potential spy. Spies faced relentless monitoring by the KGB, and any deviation from normal behavior could raise suspicion. To avoid detection, spies were instructed to maintain a low profile, avoiding provocative actions like running across streets or jaywalking. They were also advised to be cautious about speaking freely at home or work, as both locations were likely bugged.

Additional guidelines included avoiding routine deviations, using one-way radios for communication, employing tradecraft techniques like chalk marks, microdots, and dead drops, and always assuming that enemies were watching. These rules were taught to CIA operatives like Tony Mendez in a secure room at the U.S. Embassy, known as the "Cone of Silence." Though initially developed for Cold War operations, the Moscow Rules have evolved and continue to inform espionage tactics in today’s world. Spying, though modernized, remains a dangerous and high-stakes endeavor.

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Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors, is accused of acting as an agent for the Chinese government. Prosecutors claim she used her influential positions to block Taiwanese officials from meeting with state leaders and remove references to Taiwan and Uyghurs in official communications. In return, Sun and her husband, Christopher Hu, allegedly received millions in kickbacks, business deals, travel perks, event tickets, and even salted ducks. Sun is also accused of providing Chinese officials with access to internal documents and forging Governor Hochul’s signature to facilitate a Chinese Communist Party delegation’s visit. Both face serious charges.

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