About the Author
365Robert W. Pringleis a veteran of 25 years service with the Department
of State and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He was educated at
Bucknell University and the University of Virginia. After service in
Vietnam as a U.S. Army officer, he spent two years at the Department
of the Army’s Center for Military History. From 1975 to 1982 he served
two tours in southern Africa and one in Moscow as a consular and po-
litical officer with the State Department. In Moscow and later in Cape
Town, he was those missions’ human rights officer. From 1983 to 1998
he served as an analyst and manager at the CIA. He was awarded the
Career Intelligence Medal on his retirement. From 1998 to 2004 Pringle
taught history and political science courses at the University of Ken-
tucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
While at Kentucky, he wrote a number of articles on Soviet intelligence.
He now lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.
All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis are those of the author and
do not reflect the official positions or views of the CIA or any other U.S.
government agency. Nothing in the contents should be construed as as-
serting or implying U.S. government authentication of information or
CIA endorsement of the author’s views. The material has been reviewed
by the CIA to prevent the disclosure of classified information.06-313 z12 AA.qxd 7/27/06 8:08 AM Page 365