# CIA and MI6 Covert Action in Communist Albania at the Dawn of the Cold War (459)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-war-conversations-vivid-compelling-the-ny-times-1014119/cia-and-mi6-covert-action-in-communist-albania-at-the-dawn-of-the-cold-war-459
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-war-conversations-vivid-compelling-the-ny-times-1014119/cia-and-mi6-covert-action-in-communist-albania-at-the-dawn-of-the-cold-war-459.md
Podcast: [Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-war-conversations-vivid-compelling-the-ny-times-1014119)
Published: 2026-06-05T23:05:00+00:00
Episode link: https://coldwarconversations.com/episode459
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR9841574022.mp3?updated=1748027490
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Duration seconds: 4013

## Resource

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…

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