Have you been following this Alexander Litvinenko story? Former soviet security officer, defected to Britain, pissed off Putin—and more recently, killed off with poison in his sushi.

As a specialist in fighting organized crime in late-nineties Russia, Litvinenko had made more than his share of enemies. He wrote a book called “Blowing up Russia: Terror from Within,” in which he alleged that Russian Federal Security Service agents coordinated a series of 1999 apartment bombings that killed more than 300 people. (The government blamed it on—surprise!—the Chechens.)

He was also thought to be close with outspoken journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot dead last month in Moscow. (He recently spoke of investigating her murder.)

After his death in London a few days ago, tests revealed a "major dose" of a radioactive element in his bloodstream. High-level British officials are claiming foul play on behalf of high-level Russian officials.

On his deathbed, Litvinenko accused fan-favorite Russian President Putin of involvement in his death. Putin’s calling “bullshit” on that one.

So why am I writing about this today? Because it represents a shaky and potentially deteriorating state of diplomacy between Russia and Britain? To speak out against Moscow’s poor track record with dissenters?

Nope. I just think this ranks among the coolest stories of the year. It’s got everything: espionage, murder, investigation, poison, radiation, sushi and potential involvement from the highest levels of two of the most powerful governments in the world.

Just goes to prove a belief I’ve long held: reality is far more interesting that fiction. You just can’t make this stuff up!


Buck adds:

Oh, and it doesn't end there. Litvinenko was buddies with exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, a longtime foe of Putin. Berezovsky's London offices have been sealed off after traces of the radioactive substance that killed Litvinenko were found there.

Hey, don't say we didn't warn you.