Benedict Arnold's Betrayal: The Untold Story of John André's Execution

Benedict Arnold was an American military officer who defected to the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. His name has become synonymous with betrayal and treason in American history.
Arnold's story began with him as a highly respected and decorated officer in the Continental Army. He had fought valiantly in several major battles and played a crucial role in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga early in the war. However, he grew resentful after not receiving promotions and recognition he felt he deserved.
In 1780, Arnold's plot to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British in exchange for cash and a position in their army was uncovered. He narrowly escaped to the British side, avoiding capture and execution. Arnold justified his treasonous acts by claiming a pro-British stance.
While Arnold's betrayal over 200 years ago seems like ancient history, the concept of turncoats and espionage is still very much relevant today:
In 2013, Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA documents, exposing extensive US surveillance programs. He fled to Russia, who granted him asylum.
The 2010 Russian illegal program saw 10 Russian sleeper agents arrested for embedding themselves in American society, some for over a decade.
The 2019 Vault 7 leak exposed CIA hacking tools and capabilities, with theories it was an inside leak by a disgruntled employee.
Like Arnold, these cases involved individuals with insider access betraying their nation's trust for personal reasons or allegiances. The Buffalo area native's name still resonates when discussing espionage and turncoats today.
Arnold's actions had major consequences for the American Revolution. But as we still see, lapses in operational security and insider threats remain an ever-present risk for nations protecting their secrets and interests.