East German espionage

East German espionage refers to the intelligence and spying activities conducted by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) during the Cold War, primarily against West Germany and other Western countries. The Stasi, East Germany's secret police, played a key role in gathering information through surveillance, infiltration, and recruiting informants. They aimed to protect the socialist regime, undermine Western influence, and gather intelligence on political dissidents. Their extensive network and sophisticated methods made East Germany one of the most effective espionage states in the Communist bloc, shaping the dynamics of the Cold War era.