Was the Russian-Ukrainian war a direct cause for the return of the era of Eastern spies to Europe, at such a high level, for the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?
It seems clear that East Asian circles are strongly targeting European hubs, primarily Germany, even if the reasons vary and the objectives differ.
Recently, German intelligence agencies, in particular, have begun to monitor this unwelcome return. Both the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) have recorded a significant increase in espionage incidents, amid fears of reconnaissance operations, intimidation, or hybrid attacks targeting sensitive state institutions.
In previous articles, we pointed out the wide possibilities of a Russian-German military confrontation should the crisis between Moscow and Kyiv intensify, and if paths to a peace agreement to end the war become blocked, which is highly probable, especially given the recent fierce mutual attacks between the two sides.
Are Russian espionage activities the first step preceding an actual war?
It is certain that fifth columns serve as the vanguard before any armed confrontation, a known practice in war strategies.
However, the question mark revolves around how this espionage war differs from its counterparts during World War II, or even during nearly four decades of the Cold War.
In short, in the last century, humans were the core of espionage operations. Today, however, the continent seems to face another world where the importance of the human element diminishes, even if it doesn't disappear or fade, while vast avenues open up for mechanisms of modernity, especially artificial intelligence tools; these are capable of dismantling all barriers of secrecy and walls of privacy, whether concerning individuals or national institutions.
Germany appears to be an advanced target in the era of spies for more than one reason. Firstly, it remains the economic heart of Europe. What's new for Germany is connected to its upcoming military resurgence, undoubtedly ranging from conventional weapons to potential partnership in a European nuclear umbrella with France and Britain, a discussion that includes the idea of acquiring locally manufactured nuclear weapons.
What is happening in Germany today does not recall the story of famous Russian spies, foremost among them Richard Sorge, who pretended to be a Nazi German journalist and whose information saved Moscow from Hitler's advance during Stalin's era.
Today, there is aerial surveillance through drones, which frequently fly over sensitive German installations, and through suspicious cars near security buildings, which are certainly equipped with espionage tools as the latest espionage mechanisms. These can emit waves that can 'steal' minds and souls, as happened in Havana and a number of European countries, and the matter remains under wraps in global intelligence files.
Furthermore, there appear to be movements of human elements that cause fear. Many Germans have complained of unknown surveillance by non-German-looking individuals, while others have harbored suspicions about attempts to lure workers in sensitive national facilities into conversations concerning national security.
The major catastrophe, however, lies in persistent attempts to recruit high-ranking German officials. An example of this is the case of Carsten L., a security official and former member of the German Federal Intelligence Service, who was sentenced to prison after being accused of leaking classified information to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
Some time ago, Martina Rosenberg, the head of Military Counterintelligence Service, stressed a sharp increase in espionage cases and hybrid measures, which now represents a more aggressive approach, saying Russian intelligence is currently operating as it did during the Cold War.
The intriguing question is: Are Eastern spies confined and exclusive to Russia alone?
It appears that China, in turn, is making extensive efforts in this regard, even if its objectives differ from Russia's.
The Russians are preparing for widespread and extensive military confrontations with Europeans, while the Chinese realize that their path to international polarity must pass through different avenues before militarization.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) is conducting extensive espionage programs targeting Europe, with Germany at its core. These programs rely on integrating cyber espionage, infrastructure infiltration, and recruiting human agents to collect political, military, and industrial information.
Today, the Chinese are not concerned with talks of wars, whether conventional or nuclear, but rather with government data, intellectual property, and industrial networks, in addition to research centers to obtain technological secrets that support the Chinese economy. In particular, they are interested in embedding researchers in major European universities.
Is this a new wave of the era of Eastern spies, and how will Europe respond?
