By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, former CIA Moscow station chief Rob Dannenberg observed the rise of Vladimir Putin and recognized his focus on restoring state control and rebuilding Russia’s military. Dannenberg believes Putin views former President Trump as vulnerable to influence due to his vanity and greed. He fears Trump is being manipulated by Putin. Ultimately, Dannenberg fears that if the U.S. continues to fail to support Ukraine, Putin could potentially win, which would have dire consequences for the world.
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I was CIA’s top agent in Moscow – and I can tell you, Putin has a knack for manipulating people, especially someone like Donald Trump. My experience in Russia, particularly in the chaotic post-Soviet era, gave me a unique insight into how the KGB, and later the FSB under Putin, operate. It’s a world of hidden agendas, carefully crafted narratives, and exploiting vulnerabilities. And, frankly, it’s not surprising that someone with Putin’s background would see someone like Trump as a prime target.
The Russia I knew in the 90s was a hotbed of intrigue. The old structures were crumbling, and the new ones were still being formed. It was a dangerous place, filled with uncertainty. You had everything from armed gangsters to disgruntled intelligence officers. Many of these officers, especially in the FSB, held deep resentments about the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin himself emerged from this environment, a man shaped by the desire to restore order and rebuild Russian influence.
I had the chance to meet Putin during my time there, and even then, you could sense the focus and ambition. He was a government official at the time, but the steel beneath the surface was undeniable. When I returned to Moscow as station chief in the early 2000s, with full access to all the intelligence, I saw how Putin’s agenda was taking shape. He was all about restoring state control, rebuilding the military, and reasserting influence over former Soviet republics. And it’s clear, as Ukraine shows, that this is still very much the core of his vision.
Having lived and worked in Moscow, I understand how this guy thinks. It’s a certain mindset, a particular way of assessing people and situations. Putin is a master of these tactics. That’s why the way Trump seemed to respond to Putin’s actions didn’t surprise me. The red flags were there, and unfortunately, they were ignored.
The thing is, you don’t need years of training to see the weaknesses. Trump’s vanity, his greed, his love of the spotlight – these are all incredibly exploitable traits. Anyone could see them. It’s all about playing to those vulnerabilities, offering flattery, giving him gold-plated trinkets. You can see it happening even now, with others managing to manipulate him. It really doesn’t take a genius.
The whole thing is just absurdly easy to see. There is no doubt in my mind that there have been financial benefits over the years, and there would be more if he were to be elected again. Trump’s entire career has been a testament to his ego and lack of understanding. Compliments and shiny objects – that’s all it takes.
I saw the warnings, and many others did too. The red flags were waving furiously. I don’t want to hear the CIA talk about this now, but not have done anything about it then. They should be more concerned about what the Russians have done when it comes to Trump. It’s hard to ignore the evidence, and frankly, it is deeply unsettling.
There is a sense that the world is watching a carefully orchestrated manipulation, a dance where the steps are predictable, and the outcome predetermined. You don’t need to be a spy to see this. You just need to watch and listen. It’s a sad reality, but I truly believe that Putin’s training and experience, combined with Trump’s vulnerabilities, create a dangerous situation for the United States and the rest of the world. It’s a reality that we need to acknowledge, confront, and understand if we hope to protect ourselves and our interests.
That’s why I worry when I see Trump parroting Putin’s talking points. That’s why I fear that those with the ability to do something about it, are not. And that’s why I think the American people need to be aware.