David Combe, Laurie Matheson, ASIO and Mr Justice Hope all found themselves following 'the Ivanov trail'. The real story behind the Combe affair, a bizarre and compelling account of espionage, ambition and power-play. Marr shows exactly what David Combe did to attract the special attention of ASIO; why Ivanov, the first secretary of the Soviet Embassy, was expelled; how ASIA thinks and works - and involves itself in the personal lives of Australian citizens...