Covert influence operation
Also called: Foreign interference, Foreign influence operation · Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A covert influence operation is a secret effort by a foreign state to change another country's politics or policies. It can mean bribing lawmakers, quietly paying people to act for it (proxies), or spreading false information (disinformation). Ordinary spying only collects secrets. This kind of operation tries to steer the other country's decisions, so it is closer to corruption than to espionage. It matters because it weakens a country's sovereignty, which is its right to decide things for itself, and it damages honest public debate.
Example
In 1970, South Korea's intelligence agency, the KCIA, gave large bribes to U.S. Congressmen. It wanted to block the Nixon Administration's plan to pull 20,000 American troops out of South Korea. Former U.S. Defence Secretary Melvin Laird made the lobbying public, and it was reported in 1976.
Don't confuse with
- Espionage: espionage means secretly collecting information. A covert influence operation goes further and tries to change what the target country decides.
- Lobbying: lawful lobbying means openly trying to persuade lawmakers, and in some countries foreign agents must register and declare it. A covert influence operation is hidden and often uses bribes.