Russian President Vladimir Putin during the years of his KGB training in Leningrad in the mid-1970s.

The KGB: The Long History behind Russia’s Intelligence Agency

The KGB was Russia’s intelligence agency and secret police force from 1954 to 1991. But, Russia has a long history of secret policing and international intelligence operations. When you think of “sleeper agents” you probably think of Russian spies posing … Continue reading The KGB: The Long History behind Russia’s Intelligence Agency

A black and white drawing, depicting a hashashin fighting a crusade ( with the helmet) in a Persian village

The Order of Assassins: Origin and Downfall of the First Assassins

The Order of Assassins held the world’s original assassins and inspired the media for centuries.  The word ‘assassin’ survived for centuries in literature, film, television, and art. With each creative mindset, the origin of an assassin changes, but their predecessors … Continue reading The Order of Assassins: Origin and Downfall of the First Assassins

Machiavelli the prince

Niccolò Machiavelli: The Florentine Philosopher and Diplomat Behind Political Realism in ‘The Prince’

When we see the term ‘Machiavellian’, manipulative rulers and ambitious politicians spring to mind. It is a word often associated with ruthless dictators in the 20th Century: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Pol Pot; or the masterminds behind revolutions. Today, the British … Continue reading Niccolò Machiavelli: The Florentine Philosopher and Diplomat Behind Political Realism in ‘The Prince’