The shifting patterns of relationships in Central and Eastern Europe require that students of international relations be well versed in the attitudes and internal structures of the nations involved. Until now, material in English on the German Democratic Republic has consisted primarily of journalistic reminiscences or narrow scholarly treatments. Recognizing the need and responding to it, the authors of this book—leaders in the study of the GDR—present an up-to-date and comprehensive look at the country, focusing on domestic political and social change. The authors are agreed that the GDR is not only here to stay, but is also a rather stable society that can withstand moderate, well-regulated processes of change. They address education, intellectual life, the military, foreign relations, and the economy, as well as the customary subjects of politics and governmental direction.

This book is an in-depth examination of the relations between Ireland and the former East Germany between the end of the Second World War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It explores political, diplomatic, economic, media and cultural issues. The long and tortuous process of establishing diplomatic relations is unique in the annals of diplomatic history. Central in this study are the activities of the Stasi. They show how and where East German intelligence obtained information on Ireland and Northern Ireland and also what kind of information was gathered. A particularly interesting aspect of the book is the monitoring of the activities of the Irish Republican Army and the Irish National Liberation Army and their campaigns against the British army in West Germany. The Stasi had infiltrated West German security services and knew about Irish suspects and their contacts with West German terrorist groups. East German Intelligence and Ireland, 1949–90 makes an original contribution to diplomatic, intelligence, terrorist and Cold War studies.

First published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.