Soviet Defectors
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Soviet Defectors
Author: Riehle Kevin Riehle
language: en
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Release Date: 2020-07-31
An analysis of the insider information and insights that over eighty Soviet intelligence officer defectors revealed during the first half of the Soviet periodIdentifies 88 Soviet intelligence officer defectors for the period 1917 to 1954, representing a variety of specializations; the most comprehensive list of Soviet intelligence officer defectors compiled to date. Shows the evolution of Soviet threat perceptions and the development of the "e;main enemy"e; concept in the Soviet national security system. Shows fluctuations in the Soviet recruitment and vetting of personnel for sensitive national security positions, corresponding with fluctuations in the stability of the Soviet government. Compiles for the first time corroborative primary sources in English, Russian, French, German, Finnish, Japanese, Latvian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.When intelligence officers defect, they take with them privileged information and often communicate it to the receiving state. This book identifies a group of those defectors from the Soviet elite - intelligence officers - and provides an aggregate analysis of their information to uncover Stalin's strategic priorities and concerns, thus to open a window into Stalin's impenetrable national security decision making. This book uses their information to define Soviet threat perceptions and national security anxieties during Stalin's time as Soviet leader.
Soviet Defectors
Soviet Defectors explores the gripping stories of Soviet citizens who risked everything to defect to the West, focusing on their motivations and the profound impact their actions had on the Cold War. Going beyond simple labels of traitor or opportunist, the book examines the complex blend of ideological disillusionment, fear, and personal ambition that drove these individuals to betray their country. One intriguing fact is how the information provided by defectors often led to significant shifts in espionage tactics and counterintelligence measures. The book analyzes key figures like Oleg Penkovsky, whose intelligence on Soviet missile capabilities was invaluable, and Svetlana Alliluyeva, Stalin's daughter, whose defection served as a major propaganda victory. Another key aspect involves the Mitrokhin Archive, a treasure trove of KGB secrets smuggled to the West. By delving into these personal accounts, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the human cost of geopolitical conflict and the intelligence battles fought in the shadows. The approach taken in Soviet Defectors is to first establish the historical context, then to present case studies, and finally analyze the broader implications of these defections on Cold War intelligence. The book offers a fresh perspective by drawing on declassified documents and newly available archival information, creating a valuable resource for those interested in Cold War history, political science, and the intricate world of espionage.
Soviet Defectors
The topic of defection is taboo in the USSR, and the Soviets, are anxious to silence, downplay, or distort every case of defection. Surprisingly, Vladislav Krasnov reports, the free world has often played along with these Soviet efforts by treating defection primarily as a secretive matter best left to bureaucrats. As a result, defectors' human rights have sometimes been violated, and U.S. national security interests have been poorly served.