Agent of influence
Encyclopedia
An agent of influence is a person whose political actions and arguments are alleged to serve the interests of a foreign power, and to be directed or manipulated by the intelligence agency
of that power. The term may be applied to an agent whose task is to spread propaganda or disinformation, to an intelligence agency contact who actively and consciously serves a foreign interest or foreign intelligence services on some matters while retaining his integrity on others, or to an unwitting contact that is manipulated to take actions that advanced foreign interests.
Particularly in the case of unwitting contacts, claims that an individual is an agent of influence, manipulated by a foreign power are easy to make in the context of disagreements over foreign policy, and virtually impossible to disprove. For example, it was alleged that UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson
was a KGB
agent of influence. Similar claims were made by CIA-head James J. Angleton about a variety of politicians including Willy Brandt
, Olof Palme
and Henry Kissinger
.
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
of that power. The term may be applied to an agent whose task is to spread propaganda or disinformation, to an intelligence agency contact who actively and consciously serves a foreign interest or foreign intelligence services on some matters while retaining his integrity on others, or to an unwitting contact that is manipulated to take actions that advanced foreign interests.
Particularly in the case of unwitting contacts, claims that an individual is an agent of influence, manipulated by a foreign power are easy to make in the context of disagreements over foreign policy, and virtually impossible to disprove. For example, it was alleged that UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
was a KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
agent of influence. Similar claims were made by CIA-head James J. Angleton about a variety of politicians including Willy Brandt
Willy Brandt
Willy Brandt, born Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm , was a German politician, Mayor of West Berlin 1957–1966, Chancellor of West Germany 1969–1974, and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany 1964–1987....
, Olof Palme
Olof Palme
Sven Olof Joachim Palme was a Swedish politician. A long-time protegé of Prime Minister Tage Erlander, Palme led the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1969 to his assassination, and was a two-term Prime Minister of Sweden, heading a Privy Council Government from 1969 to 1976 and a cabinet...
and Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
.
External links
- Interview with Ralph de ToledanoRalph de ToledanoRalph de Toledano was a major figure in the conservative movement in the United States throughout the second half of the 20th century.-Early years:...
- Agents of Influence—from Soviet Active Measures in the "Post-Cold War Era" 1988–1991