The history of spies is older than the Bible though there are a few recorded in there, because curiosity about what is going on ‘over there’ is part and parcel of being human. Of course with the development of States and countries and the natural antagonisms which exist between people, knowing what is going on is a matter of life and death. And then, sometimes when you don’t know but guess well, is a useful skill. Like the men and women who visited German in 1933/4 and came back to England and told their friends that ‘we are going to have to go to war’. Fortunately one of them invented the Spitfire.
I can imagine the efforts being taken to find out what the Chinese and Indians are panning long term and diverse efforts to get to the heart of America. Of course we all know Intelligence Agencies first and foremost spy on their own leaders, they have to because, above all political observers, they know corruption rules Governments. It is called deal-making in polite circles.
But I do wonder as we have come into another age of the assassin (now called a terrorist) that we are all watching, wondering, waiting. Are the curtains in our minds just a little bit open so we can be ready to move in a possible attack? Are there places we don’t feel comfortable anymore, precautions we take like having Wills up-to-date?
My mother used to say in the countryside you never know who is behind the hedge. Country people are superb spies. You never know how they manage to know everything, but they do. Gossiping, after all, is a talent.
We need to employ a few more farmers amongst our spies.