West Germany, Cold War Europe and the Algerian War

Description

An illuminating and provocative account of Germany's role as sanctuary for Algerian nationalists during their fight for independence from France between 1954 and 1962. The book explores key issues such as the impact of external sanctuaries on French counterinsurgency efforts; the part played by security and intelligence services in efforts to eliminate these sanctuaries; the Algerian War's influence on West German foreign and security policy; and finally, the emergence of West German civic engagement in support of Algeria's independence struggle, which served to shape the newly independent country's perception of its role and place in international society. Mathilde Von Bulow sheds new light on the impact of FLN activities, the role of anti-colonial movements and insurgencies in the developing world in shaping the dynamics of the Cold War, as well as the manner in which the Algerian War was fought and won.

Mathilde Von Bulow lectures in history at the University of Glasgow, where she is also a member of the Scottish Centre for War Studies. Her research and teaching focus is on modern international and imperial history, colonial conflicts and wars of decolonisation, as well as intelligence and security. Her 2013 article on Franco-German intelligence cooperation during Algeria's war of independence was awarded the first ever Christopher Andrew-Michael Handel article prize by the international peer-reviewed journal, Intelligence and National Security. Her Ph.D. dissertation on Franco-German relations and the Algerian War won the British International History Group's best thesis prize in 2007.

'[This] masterful book follows the somersaults in a liberal Rechtsstaat where the overreach of state power can produce inverse and uncontrollable consequences.' Quinn Slobodian, German History Journal