Defection can also means failure, lack, or loss: e.g. He was overcome by a sudden defection of [[humor]].
Defection can also means failure, lack, or loss: e.g. He was overcome by a sudden defection of [[humor]].
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The word is often associated with the [[Cold War]] when individuals would ''defect'' from say [[Soviet Union|Russia]] or [[DDR|East Germany]] to the West, although some traitors also moved the opposite way from the [[United States]] or [[United Kingdom]]. Defectors often supplied valuable [[intelligence]] to the opposition and intelligence agencies often tried to delay their defection for as long as possible. As a reward they would often be given a [[house]] and [[job]] in their adopted [[country]] but ultimately they often ended up sad and lonely in their new [[home]].
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The word is often associated with the [[Cold War]] when sensible and honorable individuals would ''defect'' from say [[Soviet Union|Russia]] or [[DDR|East Germany]] to the West, although some traitors, mostly homosexuals, also moved the opposite way from the [[United States]] or [[United Kingdom]]. Defectors coming to the Free World often supplied valuable [[intelligence]] and intelligence agencies often tried to delay their defection for as long as possible. As a reward they would often be given a [[house]] and [[job]] in their adopted [[country]] but ultimately those traitors who went over to the godless communists often ended up sad and lonely in their new [[home]].