Recruited by Smiley at Oxford , he was the top specialist in Soviet satellite states .
Recruited by Smiley at Oxford , he spent several years under cover as a left - wing academic in the Balkans before being instated in Circus .
Recruited by Smiley at Oxford , he was the top specialist in Soviet satellite states and spent several years under cover as a left - wing academic in the Balkans before being instated in Circus .