M.K. South's Blog

"It turned out the Station had reached an agreement with the author of the two letters dropped in Jack’s car and as a result two ops had been scheduled—one was a cash drop-off and the other a collection.

Jack stared at the COS, struggling to hold back his incredulity. The Company didn’t usually pay unknown sources whose identity together with the authenticity of the information hadn’t been established. So how in the hell had the COS managed to get this approved?
...
“When are the ops?” Jack asked all business like, fighting the urge to hold back his breath.

“The drop-off is on November seventh and the collection is on the ninth.”

“In four days?” He swallowed, sweat breaking under his arms and his collar. “Isn’t it too short a notice to re-staff an op?” he asked, fully aware that it wasn’t like the Station had a choice.

“It is. That’s why you’re going to Frankfurt for a two-day op briefing tomorrow.”

No! Not possible. He needed to fix the new C-Day protocol tomorrow...

“Can I go on Sunday? There’s something big brewing in East Berlin tomorrow and I need to be there… It’s my job too, David. History is in the making and I must be there. I’ll be all set by Monday noon. You know me, David. I can do it.”

Rolston watched him closely for a few moments, thoughtful, then nodded. “Alright. First flight to Frankfurt on Sunday. You can pick up your ticket at the airport three hours before the flight… So, history in the making, you say?” Rolston smirked. “Do they say if they’ll be taking down the Wall one of these days, too?”

“Who knows, David? With these mind-boggling events and changes spiraling out of control, the way I see it, it’s totally possible.” Jack didn’t really think it was possible, at least not in the immediate future, but he wasn’t prepared to discuss politics with the COS tonight.

“Right… Well, book me a front row seat while you’re at it.” David’s tone was mocking, but not unkind.

Jack departed the safe house a few minutes later, leaving the COS to his next conference call with HQ.

The “big thing” the next day was a massive march in East Berlin organized by prominent artists and intellectuals officially sanctioned by Egon Krenz’s new regime. It was the largest of all public demonstrations thus far, drawing nearly a million people to the streets of East Berlin and culminating with a series of speeches made by the party leaders as well as the opposition on Alexanderplatz. The crowd was surprisingly subdued despite Ergon Krenz’s brow-raising announcement the previous day that he was retiring five older members of the Politburo and planning to implement political and economic reforms.

But what had blown Jack away was the appearance on the improvised stage of Marcus Wolf, the notorious Stasi’s chief for more than 30 years before his retirement two years ago. And what did he say in his little speech? That over- reliance on security services should be done away with because it creates fear among the people.

Un-fucking-believable! If that wasn’t a revolution, Jack didn’t know what else was."

Alexanderplatz, East Berlin, November 04, 1989

Marcus Wolf speaking at the demonstration in East Berlin on Nov 4, 1989

We consider Madam Butterfly taking her own life, when her European husband leaves her behind and marries another, a beautiful and tragic love story. Because she was a submissive Asian woman. And what do we think if an European/Caucasian girl does the same in a similar situation? My guess is we check her medical history and her shrink.

Apparently, the new Broadway version of 'M. Butterfly' challenges the stereotypes we are settled comfortable in...

Huffpost's review of 'M. Butterfly' on Broadway

I loved 'M. Butterfly' the movie with Jeremy Irons and John Lone. Would love to see the Broadway show with Clive Owen, too.

Honey traps, an espionage tool, is as old as the world. Remember Delilah and her role in Samson's downfall? The beauty trap, also called the 'honey pot', is one of the 36 stratagems in Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War'. Then there was Mata Hari, the Chinese "M. Butterfly", the Stasi's Romeos and the KGB's swallows, (among the latter are Anna Chapman and Marina Butina in the latest news). Finding news on MI6 and CIA's honeypots is not as easy, but there are some out there. And here, as with all espionage actors, ours are brilliant agents and theirs are despicable spies :)

Here's an article @atlasobscura about a Brilliant MI6 Spy Who Perfected the Art of the ‘Honey Trap’

Of Our Own Device explores the theme of the CIA trying to use the Romeo tactic against a gay target to either develop him as an agent or, failing that, to use the Romeo as a dangle.

"Secrets to keep, secrets to find and one to give away." (From the blurb on the back cover).

This painting has been inspired by my book and given to me as a surprise present from my partner for my blog tour on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Visit me on the blog tour and check out the book during the promotion from November 1 through November 11.

This event is the occasion of 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall -- which event is covered in quite some details in the book.



$1.99 on Amazon now!

The schedule of the blog tour, accompanied by discounts and giveaways, is coming soon!

Stay tuned!

On October 7, 1989, GDR celebrated its 40th anniversary. Mikhail Gorbachev was the main guest of honor, no surprises here. But what he said on that day in interviews was later reported by news outlets along the lines of "How 'Gorbi' spoiled DDR's 40th Birthday Party"...

Gorbachev at GDR’s 40th anniversary

Spiegel Online: How 'Gorbi' Spoiled East Germany's 40th Birthday Party

On October 18, 1989, Erich Honecker, Secretary-General of the East German Socialist Unity Party (SED) was forced to step down as the leader of the country for 18 years and was succeeded by Egon Krenz.

Erich Honecker Resigns (video clip on youtube)

October 7, 8 and 9: The first mass demonstration against the Communist regime in the GDR began in Plauen, East Germany, kick-starting a series of mass demonstrations in the whole GDR which ultimately led to the reunification of Germany in 1990. The following day, in Dresden, some 20 thousand people gathered in protest, led by a priest. Then, on October 9, in Leipzig, over 70 thousand people gathered after the peace prayers, surrounded by some 8 thousand strong police force, chanting, “We are not thugs. We are the people.” They demanded the legalization of opposition groups and democratic reforms.

October 16: another demonstration in Leipzig, drawing over 100 thousand people on the city’s central Karl-Marx-Platz. People demanded that the Neues Forum to be allowed, free election and freedom to travel and expression.

Some memories of these events: The Beginning of the End of East Germany on thelocal.de

Do share yours.