James Clayton Welch's Blog
June 15, 2017
Ending the Demand for Drugs
There are many discussions and arguments on the causes and effects of the international drug problem and its global consequences, yet one thing many people fail to take into account is the changed lives of the victims of drug addiction or the casualties of the drug war. If there is no demand, there is no supply, yet both are in abundance (surprisingly) in developed countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia, which are plagued with opiates like heroin and morphine, prescription stimulants like oxycodone, and chemical-based drugs like methamphetamines.
Of course, many other developing countries, like Iran and Afghanistan, countries that are in or in proximity to the Golden Crescent, have a drug problem as well. But it is not surprising that it is not as bad in countries near the Golden Triangle, like Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, due to the harsh penalties associated with drug abuse. The drug problem may not be as bad in Asia compared to Western countries (although, as far as things go, it is indeed pretty bad), but only because the consequences tend to cost people the rest of their lives.
And that’s just it: the rest of their lives. Drug addiction is a serious problem that affects millions of lives each year. The worst bit is that this kind of addiction doesn’t recognize social status, so the victim can come from any circumstance and background, debunking the idea that only the impoverished are victims. Whether it is the life of the user or the lives of their loved ones, the dependence on drugs will cost the user more than they are willing to spend. And usually, when they realize this, it is too late.
Here are some telltale signs that someone you know is on drugs and ways on you can help them kick the bad habit and rehabilitate.
Changes in Their Appearance
Victims of drug addiction can often exhibit physical symptoms such as bloodshot or glazed, unfocused eyes; changes in their weight; and different skin problems, like very dry skin or bruises near veins.
Changes in Their Behavior
Drug addiction shows not only physical symptoms, but also behavioral changes. The victim may be more aggressive or irritable, have a personality shift, become depressed or lethargic, have sudden changes of social groups, have drastic shifts in priorities, have financial issues, and more often than not, be involved in criminal acts like theft.
If you notice these signs in your friend or loved one, it may be difficult to accept, but steps must be taken in order to help deal with and, hopefully, stop the addiction. Preparation is a key factor when confronting the person in question, but first it is important to know what the reasons are for confronting them. There are different kinds of drugs and different kinds of addiction, and learning as much as possible will help you have a better understanding of the problem. Figuring out what to say matters because the person you will be confronting will be defensive, so making a list of points will help in communicating to the other person. The approach is as important, and it is a must that that person is sober and in a situation they cannot escape from, like a long bus ride. The tone is doubly important, and your approach has to be gentle and open, showing that you only want to help and it is completely without judgment. Don’t be accusatory as this will only increase the distance. But before all this, research about insurance, rehabilitation facilities, therapy; confronting a problem without a solution will not help anybody, so do your homework before expressing yourself. Remember, you have to be firm and take a stand. Show the victim the consequences of their actions. Hopefully, they do not become just another casualty on the war on drugs.
If you want to know more about drug-addiction symptoms, approaches, and rehabilitation facilities, go to the National Institute of Drug Abuse website for more information.
Thank you so much for reading my blog, and feel free to comment below if you want to share any experiences or thoughts. You can also reach me through my Twitter (@JamesCWelch). If you want to read more, you can check out my book, The Wayfarer.
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June 8, 2017
Understanding the War on Drugs
There has been a significant toll on the people in this war on drugs going on in the United States. The DEA refuses to acknowledge scientific evidence of the use of some illegal substances while supporting “legal” yet potentially addictive drugs that are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. All the while, they continue incarcerating a good number of people (mostly of color) who perpetuate the harsh and cruel privatized prison system that forces these men and women to work in slavelike conditions. Today, the United States imprisons more people than any other country does in the world. This is just one observation of the current situation, and we really have to ask ourselves, what are the long-term consequences of this war on drugs?
Before anything, we have to understand where it all began. Throughout the twentieth century, the Unites States government has been seemingly obsessed with controlling human vices, starting in 1914, when the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act restricted the distribution of certain drugs. In 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment was passed, prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol. A year later, the National Prohibition Act was passed, which enacted the provisions of the previous amendment. Prohibition saw a rise of organized crime, bootlegging, hoarding until it was repealed in 1933, leaving in its wake a sense of failure and a general increase of alcohol consumption. Not learning from the past, President Richard Nixon then declared drug abuse as the public’s number one enemy and increased federal funding for drug-control agencies in 1971. Two year later, the Drug Enforcement Agency was created and the war on drugs began. It was expanded in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and focused on criminal punishment over treatment, which led to a sharp upward spike in arrests for nonviolent drug offenses. Then in 1986, Congress passed the Anti–Drug Abuse Act, which increased the budget and established mandatory minimum prison sentences for different drug offenses that did not make a whole lot of sense. This led to concerns over the war on drugs as the majority of those arrested were people of color, and many claimed that it was discriminatory, leading to a decrease of public support. This crackdown on illegal drugs by the DEA and the contradictory actions of the CIA by encouraging the selling of cocaine in the ’90s made the people distrust the institutions even more, and so despite the ever increasing budget for the war, the support of the people has waned. Now the issue is hotter than ever; what with the legalizing of the recreational and medical use of marijuana in several states, many are now questioning the 1986 act and the existence of the DEA itself. What will happen when the effects of prohibition are clearly more harmful than regulation? What will be the consequences if the government insists on supporting an agency that the people see as obsolete? Is the government losing the war on drugs? Only time will tell.
I’d love to hear your opinions on this matter. Tweet me @JamesCWelch or write your comments below.
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June 2, 2017
The Drug Enforcement Agency
No, they do not enforce drug use. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Agency, or the DEA, is the agency that enforces the controlled substances laws and regulation of the United States. Well, at least that what its website says. This is the agency that brings to justice criminal organizations involved in growing, manufacturing, and distributing controlled substances.
Established in 1973 by Richard Nixon, DEA has, first and foremost, the mission to keep Americans from getting their hands on drugs and has waged a “war” that continues until today. An agency riddled with scandal and controversy, DEA has expanded its activities worldwide, attracting many criticisms from those who think their methods are misguided. DEA is headed by someone called the administer of drug enforcement, and this person is a presidential appointee and has to be confirmed by the Senate (currently Chuck Rosenberg, who was appointed in 2015), while the rest are career government employees.
It runs with a huge budget, something amounting to billions, and is directed at eradicating drug demand using antilegalization education, reduction of drug-related crime and violence, and breaking foreign and domestic sources of supply.
Unfortunately for the DEA, it hasn’t had the best track record. Although it has made a significant impact in seizing drugs from around the globe, its methods and employees have been scrutinized and seen as faulty. And because of the activities of other government organizations like the CIA encouraging the selling of cocaine in California to fund the Nicaraguan contras, the DEA’s efforts are for naught. Largely unchecked by Congress, the DEA has been under fire lately for its current behavior. Lack of proper research, being influenced by lobbyists, and employees behaving badly are just the tip of the iceberg of problems the DEA is experiencing right now.
Agents of the DEA are issued Glock 17 and Glock 19 guns and are qualified to carry them around. However, being licensed to carry a firearm doesn’t automatically mean the person is responsible, and a few DEA agents have left their weapons (around ninety-one and counting since a report that came out in 2008) in supermarkets, bars, on top of vehicles, hotel rooms, and in one instance, in a trash basket at work. In 2012, a DEA agent’s loaded gun was left in an airport toilet beyond a security checkpoint in Denver, Colorado. Sometimes, even classified documents are at risk, like in an incident in Fairbanks, Alaska, where key documents pertaining to a methamphetamine case were left in the house of the suspect being arrested.
The DEA isn’t free from corruption either. In the 1980s, some very enterprising agents made millions off selling drugs they had confiscated from the streets. There was even an incident involving a DEA agent stealing cocaine directly from the evidence vault to an informant and also reportedly stealing cash from drug busts. Talk about drug money, huh?
But the icing on the cake on these scandals was in 2015, when DEA agents had sex parties with prostitutes hired by local drug cartels that lasted several years until the Justice Department caught on. This happened in Colombia, a country that produces a lot of cocaine.
The point of showing all these incidents is that, no matter how powerful the institution or how noble the purpose, men will always show their dark sides, especially when facing temptations. The question in the end is, if we cannot trust the government, whom can we trust?
Let’s talk about this. I’d love to hear from you. Leave your comments below, or send me a tweet at @JamesCWelch.
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May 19, 2017
Fiction Famous: Best Espionage and Spy Novels
Spies galore! The espionage genre is one of the most popular genres out there, with popular books being turned into wildly successful movies. It is a genre that excites people with thrilling suspense and action. Here is a list of some of the best books about spies.
Kim by Rudyard Kipling (1901)
Kim is a white sahib born in India and joins the great game of imperialism. He becomes a human chameleon in a story of travel, trade, and adventure. A classic spy book, Kim comes highly recommended.
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad (1907)
In a story that starts in a London shop, Mr. Verloc, the protagonist, becomes involved in an anarchist plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory. A story of intrigue involving politicians, the police, diplomats, and high society, this book shows the dark side of society and reveals an ingenious plot in the end.
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum (1980)
Who is Jason Bourne? That is the question the protagonist asks himself when he wakes up with no memory at all and the CIA chasing him. Action packed with a great plot twist, the series is one of the best espionage books out there.
Assignment in Brittany by Helen MacInnes (1942)
Written by a well-traveled German literature translator, MacInnes married an MI6 operative and wrote books about espionage based on her travels and insider knowledge. In her book, the protagonist is a French captain who poses as a Nazi leader to search for a U-boat base off the coast of France. The novel is thrilling and extremely enjoyable.
From Russia, with Love by Ian Fleming (1957)
It’s not a good list of spies if James Bond doesn’t make an appearance. In this book, however, he’s being targeted for elimination by Russia’s SMERSH. Using the steamy, irresistible bait in the name of Tatiana Romanova, our favorite spy has to navigate this trap and come out alive.
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John Le Carré (1963)
Written by a former member of the Secret Intelligence Service, this book is a classic spy novel. Bringing to life a shadowy world of international espionage, this is a tale of Alec Leamas, a British agent who wants to retire from service but must complete a final and potentially fatal assignment, which aims to bring down the head of the East German intelligence.
Seventeen Moments of Spring by Yulian Semyonov (1969)
A spy novel written from the Soviet side of the Cold War, this book is set in 1945, starring Maxim Isaev of the Soviet intelligence. He is planning to leave service but is assigned to go back to the enemy’s lair, ready to face whatever comes so he can best serve his countrymen.
Los Alamos by Joseph Kanon (1997)
A highly charged thriller, this is the story of Mike Connolly, former police reporter turned army intelligence, who arrives at Santa Fe, New Mexico, to meet the scientists assembling an atomic bomb. A highly addictive book, be forewarned that once you pick it up, it is hard to put it down.
Decoded by Mai Jia (2009)
A fairly recent addition to the espionage genre, this is a book written by one of the most successful best-selling authors in China. The book stars Rong Jizhen, a mathematical-genius code breaker recruited by China’s secret service. Assigned in the cryptology department’s Unit 701, he is assigned to break the elusive Code Purple. This is a tale of his descent into madness.
These are just some books that I highly recommend, but I would like to hear your suggestions. Please post them in the comment section below, or tweet me @JamesCWelch. Check out my website to learn more about me and my book, The Wayfarer.
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April 27, 2017
Fiction Famous: Spies
Truth is stranger than fiction, yet the problem with truth is that, sometimes, real life can be cruel. The superheroes you look up to may be flawed when you look beyond their sheen of invincibility, and the bubble that is the suspension of your disbelief pops. This is the function of fiction: to give a reprieve to the harshness of reality. This is especially true when it comes to the world of espionage. In the previous articles, we learned more about the real activities of the world’s most famous spy agencies. From funding drug cartels, overthrowing legitimate governments to further the interest of their own, to assassinating people, the picture that is painted is often a grim one. This is why spy fiction is so popular. It takes away the grit and adds glamour to an otherwise dirty job. More so when painting a better picture of the spies that do those dirty jobs, because the only thing dirty people want to read about is the martinis. Here are some fabulous fictional spies in literature.
James Bond
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
The most famous one on the list, Bond, James Bond, has enjoyed a massive following since he made his 1953 debut in Fleming’s first of many spy novels. A dashing and debonair superspy, Bond careens around the world on dangerous and glamorous missions, usually with a delectable beauty by his side.
Jason Bourne
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
Made into a household name by Matt Damon, the actor playing his character, Jason Bourne is a spy with extraordinary skills but suffers from some sort of amnesia. As he seeks to discover his true identity, he has to figure out why so many people—including the CIA—want him dead.
George Smiley
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
An aging spymaster, George Smiley is tasked to uncover a mole from the Soviet Union who has infiltrated the British Secret Intelligence Service. He unravels an East German spy ring, investigates murders, and had a Soviet nemesis. The antithesis to the sensational James Bond, Smiley is realistic and is admired for his wit.
Jack Ryan
The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
A CIA agent, Jack Ryan was portrayed in films by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine, and finally, John Krasinski in the upcoming TV series. Smart, cool, and calm under pressure, Jack Ryan really deserves a place in the list.
These are just some characters, but there are more out there. Do you know any? I’d love to hear from you. Leave your comments below, or send me a tweet at @JamesCWelch.
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April 20, 2017
Mossad: Israeli Intelligence
Truth is stranger than fiction, and when the French publication Le Monde reported that Israeli agents tried to recruit French counterparts to be double agents for Israel while trying to gather intelligence on Syria’s chemical arsenal, that statement was proven to be correct again. The Mossad is a household word and rightly so because, throughout the years, it has been involved in several plots to further the interests of Israel. Besides the actual assassinations and covert operations, the reputation of this espionage agency has gotten to out of hand that it is being accused of training vultures to spy on Arab countries, attempting to destroy Egypt’s tourism industry by releasing sharks into the Red Sea, using Mark Zuckerberg to pass on information to the US and Israel governments in the bid to destabilize the Islamic Republic, releasing wild boars to destroy the fields of the West Bank to intimidate Palestinian farmers, and using robot dolphins equipped with killer arrows and recording cameras to spy on the Hamas. But like the big boogeyman reputation of its American counterparts, the Mossad works in the same way—they’d tell us, but then they’d have to kill us.
Short for HaMossad leModiʿin uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim, the Mossad is one of the most famous intelligence agencies in the world. One of the main entities of the Israeli Intelligence Community, it is responsible for intelligence collection, covert operations, and counterterrorism for a Jewish country smack dab in the center of the predominantly Muslim Middle East. It exists to protect Jewish communities and conduct operations all over the world.
Formed on December 13, 1949, this world-famous intelligence agency was created when the prime minister at that time wanted an agency to coordinate and improve cooperation among existing security services of Israel. The Mossad has different departments that specialize in a wide variety of assignments. There is the Collections Department, where agents go undercover in both diplomatic and unofficial tasks. There is the Political Action and Liaison Department, where agents work with allied foreign intelligence agencies (like the CIA) and communicate constantly with nations that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. They also have a Research Department, which does intelligence production, and the Technology Department, which develops tools for Mossad. But unlike other agencies, Mossad openly has the Metsada Department, which is really a sabotage unit that is responsible for attacking the enemy and another unit that is tasked to perform assassinations.
Their counterterrorist unit is called the Kidon. It is an elite group of expert assassins and operates under the Caesarea branch of Mossad. It is a very mysterious unit with highly secretive employees and closely guarded information. It also only hires former soldiers from elite special forces from the IDF units.
So there you go, the Mossad is completely normal for a spy agency. It collects intelligence, goes on missions, kills people to further the interests of its homeland, and saves other Jews from certain peril. And it does not have laser dolphins. Or maybe that’s what it wants you to think.
Reference
Times of Israel staff. 2017. “Mossad Reportedly Tried to Recruit French Agents during Joint Syria Operation.” Times of Israel. Last modified March 27, 2017. http://www.timesofisrael.com/mossad-reportedly-tried-to-recruit-french-agents-during-joint-syria-operation/.
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April 11, 2017
MI6: British Intelligence
If you don’t know who James Bond is, then you must have been living under a rock. Because as the most famous fictional spy in the world, his name is synonymous with espionage.
A suave and debonair superspy, he has driven invisible cars, travelled to exotic and remote locations, and has had his way since the author Sir Ian Fleming (also a spy) conceptualized him in the early 1950s. Aiding him in his daring missions is Q, the head of research and development, who equips our superspy with amazing gadgets, and M, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service—also known as the MI6.
Arguably, the Bond franchise is really good advertising for the MI6, but little is known about their actual activities, unless you go on their really well-designed website.
Their mission is clear, they state. They work secretly overseas, develop foreign contacts, and gather intelligence that would help the United Kingdom be safer and more prosperous. Unlike the CIA, the MI6 is at least upfront about furthering their personal interests. Talk about fighting for Queen and the country.
Originally called the Secret Service Bureau in 1909, MI6 wasn’t officially recognized until 1994. And although the MI6 is housed in Vauxhall Cross on the banks of the Thames River, it originally operated in a placed called Ashley Mansions with a bogus address called Messrs Rasen, Falcon Limited, a shipping and exporting firm. This began the great tradition of using fronts for espionage activities.
From there, they have worked across the globe to counter terrorism, resolve international conflict, and prevent the spread of nuclear and other nonconventional weapons. They provide global covert capabilities for Her Majesty’s Government, which is a fancy way of saying that like the CIA, they have their fingers dipped in many pies. They collect secret intelligence while mounting operations overseas and preventing and detecting serious crime. The MI6 promotes and defends the national security and the economic well-being of the United Kingdom. They operate on a strictly legal framework despite the secret nature of their work while employing people with a variety of different skills to help counter the threats toward the people of the United Kingdom.
Their current chief Alex Younger is the sixteenth holder of the title and is the only serving member officially named in public. And like the fictional chief M, his name in the agency is C and writes only using green ink, and works hard in achieving his aim of keeping the SIS as the foremost intelligence agency in the world. He helms the entire global operations, but he is held accountable by the foreign secretary.
Arguably the classiest intelligence agency out there, they use a mix of savvy marketing and advertising on their website, simultaneously telling people about their activities while keeping them incredibly veiled. James Bond has nothing on the real activities of the MI6.
Reference
Secret Intelligence Service. 2017. “We Work Overseas to Help Make the UK a Safer and More Prosperous Place.” Accessed April 10, 2017. https://www.sis.gov.uk/.
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April 7, 2017
Debunking CIA Myths and Misconceptions
Raise your hand if you think that all CIA agents are all like Jason Bourne. Well, it seems as if there are a lot of us, but during my research for my book, I found out that despite their clandestine and very hush-hush jobs, they’re not all super soldiers running around chasing or being chased by an enemy of the free world. Some of them have very boring desk jobs. And no, not all those glued to computers are CIA hackers.
This week’s post is all about debunking these myths, so here are the most popular myths according to our good friends at the CIA and why they’re nothing more than a misconception.
Fast and the Furious
No, CIA agents don’t run around narrow streets and jump on moving vehicles. Real life is nothing like what the movies portray. The CIA says, however, that the job is glamorous as you’re a “collection intelligence on the cutting edge of global change.”
The Social Network Ban
Yes, CIA operatives can use social media. Do they use it to spy on you using aliases? Maybe. But the agency does enforce guidelines to protect the employees from compromising themselves (i.e., posting a status about why they love working in the CIA). It’s just common sense, but like any corporation, you can only do your Facebooking on your own free time.
Tattoo Taboo
The CIA is diverse and inclusive. That means you are not required to know how to play blackjack, dance ballroom, or look like James Bond in a tux. Some agents can look like your everyday craft beer drinking bearded hipster, complete with ironic sleeve tattoos, and that’s just perfectly fine. All the better to blend in and spy on you.
CIA Agents are Martial Arts Masters
This is clearly a myth. The accounting department cannot possibly take you down with kung fu, but they can take you down with an intense investigation into your expenses. So no, you don’t have to run like Tom Cruise, drive like Vin Diesel, or fight like Chuck Norris. All you need is a deep intellect, make good decisions, and have a strong dedication to the US of A.
Parlez-vous Français?Unlike the Foreign Affairs Department, the CIA does not require their operatives to speak a foreign language. Although it does help, it isn’t a necessity. However, if you need to go to a place that speaks Farsi or Cantonese, you will receive adequate training. Spy KidsNo, you are not required to spy on your folks, and it’s practically unheard of. Most of your work will involve collecting information from sources outside the United States.
Inspector Gadget
Although there is some truth to agents using the latest spy technology, field agents don’t necessarily use them. You don’t need fancy gadgets to type up a report. However, the scientists and engineers working for the CIA do get to play and make brand-new toys that are so hi-tech they are classified. So movies can only speculate, but the reality is so much more intense.
These are just some myths that the CIA has debunked, but maybe they’re just saying these things to point others toward a different direction. That might be considered a conspiracy theory, but who knows? They can tell us, but they might have to kill us, so perhaps in this instance, ignorance is bliss.
Reference
Central Intelligence Agency. 2017. “Myths.” Last modified March 6, 2017. Accessed on April 4, 2017. https://www.cia.gov/careers/games-information/myths.
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March 31, 2017
Conspiracies and the CIA
As a term originally used to describe any evil plot, the conspiracy theory has certainly gone a long way. Now it only refers to any far-flung theory that explains any historical or present events as an outcome of secret plans by manipulating corporations or groups of powerful people conspiring against the rest of humanity. Used by scholars and theorists to identify hush-hush military, corporate, or political plants that aim to steal money, wealth, and freedom from the majority of the population.
A highly loaded phrase, it is used to discredit a lot of people who have wild claims that does not go with the popular belief of the time or, at least, what the government doesn’t want people to think. That might be in itself a conspiracy theory.
But as truth is stranger than fiction, it turns out that the government is indeed trying to control what people think and that the Central Intelligence Agency was, in fact, responsible for making conspiracy theories sound “crazy.”
Here are some conspiracy theories involving the CIA that turned out to be true.
Operation Mockingbird
In the 1950s to the 19070s, the CIA paid journalists (both domestic and foreign) to publish CIA propaganda and even produced a movie.
Operation Northwoods
This was a plan to oust Fidel Castro from power in Cuba in the 1960s. The CIA wanted to create public support to start a war by committing acts of terrorism on US soil. They planned on killing innocent people as well as other heinous acts just to justify invading Cuba. This was approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff but rejected by civilian leaders.
Testimony of Nayirah (1990)
Nayirah was a fifteen-year-old girl who had testified before the US Congress in the 1990s seeing Iraqi soldiers killing Kuwaiti babies by taking them out of incubators. This prompted public support to start the Gulf War of 1991. It turned out, however, that this was an arranged testimony and that the girl was actually the daughter of the Kuwaiti ambassador to the USA who was asked by the CIA to take acting lessons.
CIA Drug Running in Los Angeles
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, a lot of people in Los Angeles, California, were doing cocaine. Sold by Nicaraguan drug traffickers and the proceeds were used to fund the CIA-supported Nicaraguan Contras, a right-wing military group. Written by award-winning journalist Gary Web, his articles documented that the CIA was aware of the large shipments of cocaine into the United States by the Contras.
Canadian Caper
Made famous by the movie Argo (2012), this was a joint covert operation with the Canadian government and the CIA to save six American diplomats from the Islamist Iranian Revolution in Iran in 1979. In the guise of filming a science fiction Hollywood movie, the agent Tony Mendez helped these diplomats board a flight to Zurich to escape Iran.
CIA Drug Smuggling in Arkansas
In the late ’80s, in a small airport in Mena, Arkansas, a drug smuggling operation was taking place. It was run by infamous drug smuggler, Barry Seal, who set up this operation in a deal that helped him avoid prison by becoming an informant for the government. This drug-drop was police protected, and it led to the murder of two teenage boys by police officers in 1987 because they witnessed this even taking place. Seal testifies that he worked for the CIA and the DEA, as well as being used to help finance the Nicaraguan Contras smuggling cocaine into Los Angeles.
These are just a few instances where the CIA was involved. Assassinations, government coups, as well as rebellions are all part and parcel of this shadowy organization working for one of the most powerful countries in the world. But because many events and dissenters are shut up with the accusation of being conspiracy theorists, we shall never know the true extent of the secrets they are hiding.
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March 24, 2017
Spy versus Spy: the CIA and the KGB
Any thrilling spy movie always involves a conflict between the intelligence agencies of Russia and the USA; it’s practically a genre on its own. From the James Bond series, to the Jason Bourne blockbusters, to serious films like the Good Shepherd and Munich, these stories involving some very tense relations between the two Cold War superpowers always play on the cloak-and-dagger world of international espionage.
But how did this spy game begin? What event took place that led the remaining post–World War II superpowers to create, fund, and release into the wild these agents whose specters haunt our imaginations?
It all began with the Cold War. In 1947, Harry S. Truman created the CIA as a means of gathering all foreign intelligence in one department, while the KGB was created in 1954 as a military service after its preceding agencies didn’t meet the needs of the Soviet Union at the time. These two intelligence agencies would then embark on several missions that would affect the world.
After World War II, the Soviets wanted to enforce the orthodoxy of the international communist movement while the United States went of the defensive, countering the Soviet push by adopting containment, which was to stop the spread of communism. This lead to the Truman Doctrine that divided the world into two—democratic countries versus totalitarian regimes—and the Marshall Plan that would fund Western European allies like Germany and France but was not able to break through to the Eastern half which was controlled by the Soviet Union.
Intelligence or the knowledge of each other’s plans was vital at this time, as both countries were readying themselves for a new war, thus heightening the tension and increasingly making intelligence gathering dangerous. This gives operatives and agents their special status because people who were recruited to these intelligence agencies had to have very specific qualifications. These agents had to gather intelligence on the intention of the opposing side, and stealing military and technological plans were high priority. Information was a highly valued commodity and men and women died for the knowledge that they had, especially when it came to nuclear weapons. There were infiltrations, sleeper agents, all the while trying to stay undetected because if they were discovered, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Though it sounds extremely exciting (and it is!), these people were handling very sensitive information that affected many lives negatively. These underground involvements led to countries falling into the hands of dictators, being split into two (North and South Korea), and the lives lost because of the vested interests of a few are immeasurable. So despite its glamorous appeal, espionage is not all tailored suits and dinner parties; in fact, they are carried out by the highly trained soldiers of these intelligence agencies in a silent war that is still being waged up to this very day. However, with technology becoming more and more sophisticated, who knows how information is being gathered by these spies in this day and age.
Spy versus spy, indeed.
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