March 1, 2022
The Spy and the Traitor - 13
Summary no. 13.
This is a real story.
In January 1968, the Czechoslovak, communist-backed leadership was poised to ease its tight restrictions and adopt new, social-democratic reforms. These reforms weren’t revolutionary per se*, but they were enough of a change to alert the USSR. Being a Soviet satellite (officialy a Warsaw Pact member), Czechoslovakia was supposed to follow and enforce Moscow’s orders.
Oleg lived this pivotal period with rising excitement. He believed that if the Czechoslovak reforms made it through, other Soviet satellites may follow suit. If all this happened, it would mean that Moscow had eased its tight hold. Such situation, in turn, might gradually lead to the downfall of the Soviet Union.
All of this was, of course, at the forefront of KGB’s attention. Senior KGB officers dreaded these reformes, regarding them as an existential threat. They felt compelled to intervene before it went further. Hence the KGB carried out a massive intelligence operation, planting spies at every social tier. Doing so, the KGB was able to draw a complete picture of the situation, and in turn to sow its own disguised ideas directly into Czech thinking. If the KGB was to keep this situation in check, ethical restraints must not be applied. And so it went.
While Oleg wholeheartedly hoped that the Czech “revolution” would make it, Vasili, Oleg’s older Brother, was at the forefront of the KGB counter-operation. The KGB had singled out two men as the main agitators. Vasili was instructed to befriend them and get them out of the country, either through deception or kidnap. For different reasons, he failed in both ways. Still, it didn’t matter in the end. The two men were not the ones who pulled the string, as the KGB had thought.
*Would it also be fine to say, “revolutionary themselves”? Assuming that “per se” is right?
In January 1968, the Czechoslovakian, communist-backed leadership wasere poised to ease its tight restrictions and adopt new, social-democratic reforms.
Assuming 'leadership' is referring to multiple people, you would use 'were'.
These reforms weren’t revolutionary per se*, but they were enough of a change to alert the USSR.
Using 'per se' actually sounds better, in my opinion. I wouldn't use 'themselves'.
Being a Soviet satellite (officially a Warsaw Pact member), Czechoslovakia was supposed to follow and enforce Moscow’s orders.
Oleg livanticipated this pivotal period with rising excitement.
'Lived' wouldn't be used in this situation.
If all this happened, it would mean that Moscow had eased its tight hold.
Senior KGB officers dreaded these reformes, regarding them as an existential threat.
HenceSo, the KGB carried out a massive intelligence operation, planting spies at every social tier.
DIn doing so, the KGB was able to draw a complete picture of the situation, and in turn to sow, imbed its own disguised ideas directly into Czech thinking.
While Oleg wholeheartedly hoped that the Czech “revolution” would make it, Vasili, Oleg’s older Bbrother, was at the forefront of the KGB counter-operation.
March 2, 2022
Many thanks
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And so it went. |
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Assuming that “per se” is right? |
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The Spy and the Traitor - 13 |
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Summary no. |
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13. |
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This is a real story. |
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In January 1968, the Czechoslovak, communist-backed leadership was poised to ease its tight restrictions and adopt new, social-democratic reforms. In January 1968, the Czechoslovakian, communist-backed leadership w Assuming 'leadership' is referring to multiple people, you would use 'were'. |
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These reforms weren’t revolutionary per se*, but they were enough of a change to alert the USSR. These reforms weren’t revolutionary per se*, but they were enough of a change to alert the USSR. Using 'per se' actually sounds better, in my opinion. I wouldn't use 'themselves'. |
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Being a Soviet satellite (officialy a Warsaw Pact member), Czechoslovakia was supposed to follow and enforce Moscow’s orders. Being a Soviet satellite (officially a Warsaw Pact member), Czechoslovakia was supposed to follow and enforce Moscow’s orders. |
|
Oleg lived this pivotal period with rising excitement. Oleg 'Lived' wouldn't be used in this situation. |
|
He believed that if the Czechoslovak reforms made it through, other Soviet satellites may follow suit. |
|
If all this happened, it would mean that Moscow had eased its tight hold. If |
|
Such situation, in turn, might gradually lead to the downfall of the Soviet Union. |
|
All of this was, of course, at the forefront of KGB’s attention. |
|
Senior KGB officers dreaded these reformes, regarding them as an existential threat. Senior KGB officers dreaded these reform |
|
They felt compelled to intervene before it went further. |
|
Hence the KGB carried out a massive intelligence operation, planting spies at every social tier.
|
|
Doing so, the KGB was able to draw a complete picture of the situation, and in turn to sow its own disguised ideas directly into Czech thinking.
|
|
If the KGB was to keep this situation in check, ethical restraints must not be applied. |
|
While Oleg wholeheartedly hoped that the Czech “revolution” would make it, Vasili, Oleg’s older Brother, was at the forefront of the KGB counter-operation. While Oleg wholeheartedly hoped that the Czech “revolution” would make it, Vasili, Oleg’s older |
|
The KGB had singled out two men as the main agitators. |
|
Vasili was instructed to befriend them and have them leave the country, either through deception or kidnap. |
|
For different reasons, he failed in both ways. |
|
Still, it didn’t matter in the end. |
|
The two men were not the ones who pulled the string, as the KGB had thought. |
|
*Would it also be fine to say, “revolutionary themselves”? |
|
Vasili was instructed to befriend them and get them leave the country, either through deception or kidnap. |
|
Vasili was instructed to befriend them and get them out of the country, either through deception or kidnap. |
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