Episode
CIA and MI6 Covert Action in Communist Albania at the Dawn of the Cold War (459)
- Published
- Jun 5, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4013
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://coldwarconversations.com/episode459
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Summary
In June 1949, the US and British governments secretly agreed to mount a joint covert action operation to overthrow the communist government in Albania. The top-secret plan would use exiled dissidents to conduct subversive intelligence, paramilitary and propaganda operations to foment an uprising against Albania's authoritarian ruler Enver Hoxha. I speak with Stephen Long, the author of A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit: CIA and MI6 Covert Action in Communist Albania at the Dawn of the Cold War. He describes how the Albanian operation is a vital but misunderstood part of Cold War history and the West’s first secret attempt to subvert a communist state behind the Iron Curtain. While the West ultimately backed away from trying to bring down Hoxha's regime, Albania was the test case of anti-communist covert action where the West served its apprenticeship before rolling out this capability on a global scale. It’s a tale of subterfuge, secrecy, and skulduggery that is a fascinating examination of one of the most important and least examined major flashpoints of the Cold War. Buy the book and support the podcast https://amzn.to/43cBbXJ Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode459/ Enter the book Giveaway here https://coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation, You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and receive a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank-you, and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we also welcome one-off tips via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to…