WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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A former senior security official has issued a stark warning that Western universities are increasingly being infiltrated by spies working for hostile foreign governments, raising concerns about national security, academic freedom, and the protection of sensitive research.
The former intelligence chief said that campuses across the US, UK, and Europe have become prime targets due to their open environments, world-leading research labs, and access to cutting-edge technologies coveted by rival states. According to the official, foreign intelligence services are sending agents—sometimes posing as students, researchers, or visiting scholars—to extract information, influence academic debates, or build networks useful for long-term strategic aims.
The warning comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with several Western countries already tightening scrutiny of international collaborations in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and defense-linked engineering projects.
University administrators have reportedly been urged to strengthen vetting procedures, increase awareness training for staff and students, and establish clearer protocols for reporting suspicious activity. The former security chief noted that while universities value openness, many are underestimating the level of organized espionage targeting their institutions.
Academic leaders acknowledge the challenge but have expressed concern that overly aggressive security measures could stifle global cooperation and harm the diverse research communities that universities rely on. Balancing academic openness with national security, they argue, is becoming one of the most complex tasks facing modern higher education.
Governments are now exploring policy steps to better protect sensitive research while ensuring international collaboration remains possible. The former intelligence official stressed that failure to act could result in strategic technologies being compromised, with long-term consequences for scientific leadership and national security.
The warning has reignited debate about whether universities are adequately prepared for an era in which espionage is no longer confined to embassies and military facilities but has expanded into lecture halls, laboratories, and campus networks.
Author: M.J
