I am sorry but this is another spin. Yes, nothing ever out of politics. But, this essay tell us next to nothing why Russia's security agency had been maintaining an operation that yielded next to nothing useful information for Russia for more than ten years? Why were these people receiving lot of cash and luxury living style at the expense of Russia when they were producing next to nothing useful information? Why was Russia willing to exchange people who were not charged with espionage with 20 people convicted of espionage against Russia? When RT probes into these aspects of this spy scandal, then I will accept the U.S side of this spy affair. But we are not all clueless. Russia has lot to answer to this spy scandal and we are not getting credible answers. If the CIA and Obama wanted to use this spy scandal to change the public gaze from more pressing issues such as PB oil spill, than- that was smart move. What we are not getting is the Russia’s scandalous involvement in this spy/money-laundering affair. This spy scandal had 29 Russians-20 of who were convicted spying against their own country. We need to know more about Russia’s involvement in this primarily Russian scandal. I read RT and I support Russia but this is a case in which I feel that RT has not been straight with us.

As everyone knows the USA has a big big problem with illegal immigrants. These are people who enter the USA and pretend to either have valid documents explaining their presence or to be US citizens. The only evidence the FBI has produced shows that it detained a number of Russian illegal immigrants. These have lived in the USA for years and spent their time trying to improve their lives. Unsurprisingly this story of the Russian spies that never actually did any spying has been displaced by another Silly Season story. Paul the psychic German octopus ( who predicts the future). Perhaps someone could ask Paul when the next Russian(Red ) scare will appear in the American press.

The actual reason behind the spy story was the following. The FBI found out that they are losing power and money, and they decided to use Hollywood to help them. So, they got a deal. Hollywood quickly made a story about Russian spies which was put into the movie called "Salt" (with Angelina Jolie in leading role) coming out in a week or so. The FBI's part of the deal was to promote the movie. To attract more attention, they use the Medvedev's visit as a high elevation starting point. From there they just played the "movie trailer"...

My impression is that the timing of the arrests was prompted not by politics but simply by Anna Chapman realising that she had been speaking with someone who was not a Russian contact and that her cover had been broken. She telephoned her father for advice - the FBI were listening to this conversation and realised that they would have to arrest everyone forthwith. My appraisal is that the FBI had been waiting for 10 years and were going to continue waiting until one of more of this group acquired and passed on some confidential material, justifying more serious espionage charges. This process was interrupted when Anna Chapman became suspicious of the FBI's undercover agent who posed as a Russian contact. In essence, the FBI compromised their own surveillance and had to intervene prematurely. Embarrassment for both sides really. It's nice to see both side bringing a swift and simple resolution to the affair - let's hope they can apply the same pragmatism and cooperation to other areas. It's a pity for the children involved though - their lives have been turned upside down and the will probably have difficulty being accepted either in the USA or Russia.

I am delighted with this information. Now that Russia is really her only and true homeland-will Ms Chapman say thanks to Russia and become useful and productive citizen? http://en.rian.ru/world/20100713/159800455.html

I always loved that "Spy vs Spy" cartoon, although I could never figure out who exactly was the good guy. They both acted horribly and deserved what they got.

Nice article - I agree! A very bad spy show. They were not even convicted for espionage!

Before we got our laughs in England from our Carry -On-Movies,now we get our laughs from our media and broadcasters.Well who they represent Our Politicans.Endless carry on movies ,The bungling characters ,Unfortunately these are real charcters.