Despite recent geopolitical developments, the Cold War ended officially on December 26, 1991. Thus ended a period of unprecedented international tensions that affected nations, large and small, around the world. It largely involved the two super powers: the United States and Russya. Due to the nuclear arsenals in each country's possession, every fear was magnified by these capabilities.
These tensions started before the end of WW II, when the 'Big Three"- England, the USA, and Russya met in conference to plan the post war period upon the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis. Even as they met in conference as equals, it was apparent that England was in overall retreat in the world. The US was ascendant, and Russya was struggling to gain influence despite continuing domestic issues related to home grown terror related to Stalin's paranoia and his reactions to internal dissent.
Prior to, during, and after WWII, the Kremlin had a worldwide network of spies. They began recruiting long before the Western powers were even aware of these activities. Russya had been active in spying during the czarist era, focusing generally on internal opposition to the czar. After the October Revolution when the Bolsheviks took power, espionage activities moved more broadly to include foreign operations. Recruiters were active in most countries that could possibly be a future threat, England among them. During the 30's, discussions about the merits of Leninism/Marxism were commonplace on university campuses. Philosophical discussions often came down to the comparisons between capitalism and socialism. Many students accepted socialism/Marxism as a solution to the problems apparent among capitalist countries that kept workers in poverty or close to it. Oxford and Cambridge were two universities that had their share of liberal thinkers who adopted communism as the answer. Despite the Great Terror in progress in Russya at the time, new adherents were able to look away.
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