Power & Peril

Potentials and Limits of Intelligence

In Zusammenarbeit mit der International Intelligence History Association

Leitung: Michael Mayer / Thomas Wegener Friis / Michael Wala

Sekretariat: Iryna Bielefeld, Tel.: 08158 / 256-53

In an age of digital surveillance, hybrid threats, and global intelligence cooperation, understanding the role of intelligence services is more essential than ever. Yet, the secrecy that surrounds them often keeps these powerful institutions out of public view – and beyond democratic scrutiny. This conference invites scholars, students, and professionals to explore how intelligence agencies have shaped recent history and continue to influence our world today. From Cold War legacies to current espionage risks, the program spans a broad range of topics: Clandestine collaboration, counterterrorism strategies, intelligence oversight, and more. Since the ‘Archival Revolution’ of the 1990s, intelligence history has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly growing field. Drawing on newly accessible sources, researchers now offer deeper insights into the inner workings of these secretive organizations. Join us for an engaging exchange at the intersection of history, politics, and security – where past and present intelligence practices meet open scholarly debate.