Spies at the crossroads: Observing change in the Dutch intelligence service

Like many of its Western counterparts, the Dutch intelligence service (Binnenlandse Veiligheidsdienst, BVD) came into existence as an outgrowth of the Second World War, and found its main task and rationale in the Cold War struggles against communism. For decades it pursued that mission with dogged determination, engaging in counterespionage against its Eastern European and Chinese counterparts, as well as monitoring and neutralising the activities of the Dutch communist parties and what it saw as other centres of left-wing radicalism. During this time it also expanded its activities to encompass, among others, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, economic counter-espionage, and counter-terrorism (Engelen, 1995).