Gladio

Gladio was a secret NATO-backed program during the Cold War, involving underground military networks in Europe designed to resist potential communist invasions or occupations. Operated covertly, it included shaping public resistance and maintaining preparedness through underground trained groups. While officially kept secret for years, it became known in the 1990s, raising questions about its legality and transparency. Gladio aimed to safeguard Western democracy during a period of intense ideological conflict, but its clandestine nature led to controversy and debates over government accountability.