What is a double agent?

A double agent is a person who acts as a spy for two opposing sides, typically working for one side while pretending to be loyal to the other. They gather and pass on information to both sides, leading to deception and confusion for their targets. Double agents often work in intelligence agencies or military organizations, where they can provide valuable insider information to their handlers.

Double agents are considered to be extremely dangerous and difficult to detect, as they can manipulate and deceive both sides to further their own agenda. They must be highly skilled in deception and have strong capabilities in intelligence gathering and analysis. Double agents are often motivated by personal gain, ideology, or a desire for power.

Examples of famous double agents include Kim Philby, who worked as a Soviet spy within British intelligence during the Cold War, and Aldrich Ames, a CIA officer who spied for the Soviet Union. These individuals were able to pass sensitive information to enemy forces, causing significant damage to their own countries' intelligence operations.