<P> The Moscow rules are rules - of - thumb said to have been developed during the Cold War to be used by spies and others working in Moscow . </P> <P> The rules are associated with Moscow because the city developed a reputation as being a particularly harsh locale for clandestine operatives who were exposed . The list may never have existed as written . </P> <P> Agent Tony Mendez wrote: </P>

One is an accident two is a trend three is a problem