The 1980s was the decade of spies in the United States.
So says Michael Jonsson, researcher at FOI and co-author of the study Espionage by Europeans 2010–2021. That time, in the 80s, it was about 7-8 convictions including a couple of high placed moles that were exposed.
– My assessment is that this could be the decade of spies in Europe. We have an increasing number of convictions and a number of spies being exposed in high-ranking positions, he says and continues:
– And the threat appears to remain at a high level. Partly in relation to Russia and Belarus as long as the conflict in Ukraine continues, but to an increasing degree also vis-à-vis China. This new normal where we hear more and more about espionage and counter-espionage, I think is here to stay.
400 Russians have been deported
Since the start of the war, over 400 Russian diplomats, many of whom are believed to be intelligence personnel, have been expelled from Europe. A hard blow against, among others, the FSB and the GRU.
– When individual intelligence personnel are expelled, it may not have a decisive effect, but when so many do it at the same time in several different countries, it can complicate and weaken Russia’s intelligence gathering in Europe and Sweden.
In Sweden, we have had several high-profile cases in recent years.
– Since 2021, we have had several convictions, arrests and a number of revelations about, among other things, inappropriate research collaborations. This signals that Sweden changed its policy a few years ago. Today, we are more proactive when it comes to counterintelligence.
“Is there a risk”
How should Sweden deal with the fact that espionage has increased?
– In a balanced way. There is a risk that the pendulum swings too far in the other direction when we go from being too naive, open and gullible. A balance is needed in the new security awareness that has certainly begun in many authorities and companies.
– The risk is that individuals get hurt or that mistrust is created in certain workplaces.
