Ungentlemanly Warriors or Unreliable Diplomats? Special Operations Executive and ‘Irregular Political Activities’ in Europe

Wylie, Neville

doi:10.1080/02684520500059445

Cited by 1 publication

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“…However, in many cases intelligence services continued to be engaged in secret diplomacy during the era of modern diplomacy. Examples include the diplomatic activity of the British organization SOE (Special Operations Executive) during the Second World War, the involvement of Soviet intelligence officers in US-USSR diplomacy during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), and the role of the Israeli organization Mossad in establishing secret contacts between Israel and Arab countries in the 1950s and 1960s (Carmel, 2013; Scott, 2004; Stempel, 2007; Wylie, 2005).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The peacenik and the spook as the diplomatic avant-garde

Lehrs¹

2019

Cooperation and Conflict

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In conflicts between a state and a non-state actor, such as a paramilitary or terrorist organization, when no official diplomatic relations and recognition exists, there is a need for actors who can serve as a “diplomatic avant-garde.” This article identifies a diplomatic pattern in which breakthroughs occur through cooperative work between two types of actors: unofficial citizen diplomats and key figures in intelligence bodies. Each actor brings specific resources: unofficial actors have contacts with the non-state actor, while intelligence officers can offer backing from within the official system of the state. The article analyzes the topic using three case studies: Brendan Duddy and the MI6 officer Michael Oatley (UK and the Provisional IRA, 1975–1993); Willie Esterhuyse and the head of the South African National Intelligence Service, Neil Barnard (South African government and the ANC, 1987– 1990); and Gershon Baskin and the Mossad official David Meidan (Israel and Hamas, 2011). This study examines the unique relations between these two types of actors and how their collaboration promoted negotiations with non-state armed actors. It analyzes three stages: establishment of contact between these actors, persuasion of the relevant parties, and the breakthrough moment when talks shifted to an official back channel.

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Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The peacenik and the spook as the diplomatic avant-garde

Lehrs¹

2019

Cooperation and Conflict

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Ungentlemanly Warriors or Unreliable Diplomats? Special Operations Executive and ‘Irregular Political Activities’ in Europe

Cited by 1 publication

References 0 publications

The peacenik and the spook as the diplomatic avant-garde

The peacenik and the spook as the diplomatic avant-garde

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