Tag Archives: Cold War

From Russia with Love | A History of Poisonings

Targeted killing. Wet jobs. Assassinations. Eliminations. Spy thrillers feature deadly plots in which governments eliminate spies, operatives, dissidents or enemies of the state. Life imitated art with the recent expulsion of 60 Russians from the United States on Monday, in … Continue reading

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Do Former Intelligence Professionals Make Good Political Leaders? (PART 2)

In June of last year, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi was elected President of Egypt in a landslide. Before becoming Egypt’s sixth president, Sisi had been the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and its Defense Minister. But more … Continue reading

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10 Amazing Facts About the Trabant

After WWII, East Germany had a hard time establishing a functioning industry. Not only had almost everything been destroyed during the war, but the Soviet Union dismantled most of the factories that were left. A steel embargo of the US, … Continue reading

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‘Never admit anything unless you have to’: Thatcher and Intelligence Secrecy

Legendary British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (October 1925 to April 2013), who would have turned 89 this month, was convinced that Britain’s intelligence services should remain absolutely secret, and tried repeatedly to protect them from the gaze of public scrutiny. … Continue reading

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Ben Macintyre Q&A “A Spy Among Friends”

Master storyteller Ben Macintyre’s most ambitious work to date brings to life the twentieth century’s greatest spy story with A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and The Great Betrayal. Macintyre is a writer-at-large for The Times of London and the … Continue reading

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10 Spy Films Celebrating Anniversaries

Can you believe it’s been over a decade since the Bourne series first premiered in theaters? Several beloved and distinguished spy film classics are enjoying notable anniversaries in 2014. Wondering if your favorites are on the list? Travel back in … Continue reading

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The Moscow Rules Still Rule

The Cold War may be over, but much like “Rules of Engagement” for spies, the Moscow Rules still serve as prominent guidelines today. Developed by the CIA, the Moscow Rules was an ode to the dangerous locale that Moscow was … Continue reading

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The Americans – Fact or Fiction?

People who suspect foreign spies walk amongst them might be disregarded as “conspiracy theorists,” but did you know KGB operatives actually lived in disguise as mild-mannered Americans during the Cold War? This important moment in spy history is dramatized in … Continue reading

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License to Love: Top Spy Couples

In the world of espionage, love can be a dangerous affair. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we explore our favorite spy couples – both in real life & on-screen – duos who have mixed romance and spying. In some … Continue reading

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Top Ten Spy Books According to Peter Earnest

Good morning, agents. Before you head into the field, it’s imperative that you review the following documents as assigned by our resident spy, Peter Earnest. This list represents a comprehensive guide to trade craft and past missions that will help … Continue reading

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