International political espionage

Nature

Such espionage involves covert gathering of information about the capabilities and intentions of foreign governments, about foreign areas where they may have a strategic interest, or about their general position on international relations. Methods include wiretapping, bugging, compiling of political dossiers, microphotography, theft, use of computers, blackmail, intimidation, kidnapping, defection and abuse of diplomatic privilege. It may lead to international tension and cold war and also an extensive domestic political espionage network to ensure the survival of the country's international intelligence unit.

Background

Although Sun Tsu in The Art of War wrote of the necessity for espionage systems in 530 BC, it began to evolve as a widespread phenomenon with the rise of nation states in Europe after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. After the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, the scope of espionage systems expanded from their mainly military basis and started to become more politically orientated. It was not until the 20th century, the rise of national dictatorships, and the increase in the power and autonomy of intelligence bureaus in certain countries that espionage in its modern form evolved.

Incidence

International political espionage remains pervasive, with over 100 countries reportedly operating dedicated intelligence agencies engaged in covert information gathering against foreign governments. According to the 2023 Global Threat Assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, incidents of state-sponsored espionage have increased by 30% over the past decade, with cyber-enabled operations becoming particularly prominent in Europe, North America, and East Asia.
A notable example occurred in 2018, when Dutch intelligence services exposed a Russian GRU operation attempting to hack the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Netherlands, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by international political espionage.

Claim

When military strength decreases, the relative threat tends to increase. This requires more intelligence gathering that focuses on intentions of the potential enemies.

Counter-claim

International political espionage is often exaggerated and sensationalized, diverting attention from pressing global issues like poverty, climate change, and health crises. The notion that espionage significantly impacts national security is overstated; most nations engage in it as a routine practice. Instead of focusing on shadowy intelligence operations, we should prioritize collaboration and transparency to address real-world challenges. In the grand scheme, espionage is a minor concern that distracts from the urgent problems facing humanity today.