Disrupt and Deny: Spies, Special Forces, and the Secret Pursuit of British Foreign Policy

Disrupt and Deny is a book that tells the untold story of Britain's secret scheming against both enemies and friends from 1945 to the present day. British leaders use spies and Special Forces to interfere in the affairs of others discreetly and deniably, using misinformation, whispering campaigns, and planted false evidence. They have launched cultural and economic warfare against Iceland and Czechoslovakia, rigged elections, fought secret wars in Yemen, Indonesia, and Oman, and used Special Forces to eliminate enemies. This is covert action, a vital tool of statecraft, but if used poorly, it can cause political scandal or worse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The untold story of Britain's secret scheming against both enemies and friends from 1945 to the present day is revealed in Disrupt and Deny. British leaders employ spies and Special Forces to engage in discreet and deniable interventions in the affairs of others. Since 1945, MI6 has disseminated misinformation aimed at dividing and discrediting targets across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Northern Ireland, and beyond. The agency has orchestrated whispering campaigns, planted false evidence on officials behind the Iron Curtain, attempted to foment revolutions in Albania, blown up ships to prevent the passage of refugees to Israel, and secretly funneled aid to insurgents in Afghanistan and dissidents in Poland. MI6 has also launched cultural and economic warfare against Iceland and Czechoslovakia, attempted coups in Congo, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other countries, and engaged in covert operations in Yemen, Indonesia, and Oman during the Arab Spring.

Covert action is a vital, though controversial, tool of statecraft and perhaps the most sensitive of all government activities. If used wisely, it can play an important role in pursuing national interests in a dangerous world. However, if used poorly, it can lead to political scandal or even worse consequences.

In Disrupt and Deny, Rory Cormac delves into the remarkable true story of Britain's secret scheming against its enemies and friends. He explores the intrigue and manoeuvring within the darkest corridors of Whitehall, where officials fought to maintain control of this sensitive and seductive work. Cormac also sheds light on Britain's attempt to use smoke and mirrors to mask its decline. The book provides a comprehensive account of Britain's covert operations and their impact on global politics, offering a valuable insight into the shadowy world of espionage and foreign policy.

The use of covert action by Britain has been a controversial topic throughout history. While some argue that it is necessary to protect national interests and prevent terrorist attacks, others believe that it undermines democratic values and violates human rights. The history of Britain's covert operations is long and complex, with many examples of both successful and unsuccessful interventions.

One of the most notable examples of Britain's covert action is the MI6 operation to overthrow the government of Iran in 1953. The operation, known as Operation Ajax, was launched after the Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, nationalized the country's oil industry, which was controlled by British companies. MI6 recruited and trained a group of Iranian exiles, including former members of the Iranian military, to carry out a coup d'état against Mosaddegh. The coup was successful, and Mosaddegh was executed.

However, the operation also had significant consequences for Britain and the international community. It led to the rise of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has been hostile to Britain and the West for decades. It also contributed to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, which has lasted for more than 50 years.

Another notable example of Britain's covert action is the MI6 operation to support the anti-communist resistance in Eastern Europe during the Cold War. The agency recruited and trained a network of spies and agents, including former members of the Soviet secret police, to gather intelligence and support anti-communist movements in countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. The operation was successful in helping topple communist regimes in these countries and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

However, the use of covert action also led to criticism and controversy. For example, the MI6 operation to support the anti-communist resistance in Eastern Europe was criticized for its use of torture and human rights abuses. The agency was also accused of supporting authoritarian regimes and undermining democratic values in countries such as Chile and Guatemala.

In recent years, Britain's covert action has been increasingly focused on counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The agency has been involved in operations to target terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS) and has also supported military interventions in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, these operations have also been criticized for their impact on human rights and the rule of law. Critics argue that the use of targeted killings and drone strikes by Britain and other countries has led to the deaths of innocent civilians and has undermined the legitimacy of the international legal system.

In conclusion, Britain's use of covert action has been a controversial topic throughout history. While it has been used to protect national interests and prevent terrorist attacks, it has also led to criticism and controversy. The history of Britain's covert operations is long and complex, with many examples of both successful and unsuccessful interventions. The use of covert action must be carefully considered and balanced against the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law to ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 138 x 214 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198784609