Espionage

Espionage is the name for the practice of spying on others (whether states or other entities) to gain information for economic, political or military advantage. Most countries routinely spy on their potential enemies, and also their allies, although they generally deny this. Espionage conducted for commercial purposes is called industrial espionage.

The cold war involved intense espionage activity between the United States of America and its allies and the Soviet Union and China and their allies, particulary related to nuclear weapons secrets.

Recently, espionage agencies have targeted the illegal drugs industry and terrorists.

Spies or alleged spies:

• Mata Hari
• Kim Philby

Espionage organizations: see Intelligence agencies, Special Operations Executive, CIA, KGB, Mossad, MI5, MI6

Espionage technology:

• Cryptography
• Steganography
• Echelon
• SIGINT
• Spy satellite
• Ultra
• U-2
• HUMINT - Intelligence gathered by a person on the ground.
• ELINT - Intelligence gathered from electronic sensors.

Counter-espionage technology:

• TEMPEST - Protection devices for communication equipment.

Fictional spies:

• James Bond

See also:

• Spy fiction