Defection

Defection is a term that means to change sides. This is usually used in the context of the change of allegiance, duty or loyalty particularly in a political context. In a religious context defection is known as apostasy.

Defection can also means failure, lack, or loss: e.g. He was overcome by a sudden defection of humor.

The word is often associated with the Cold War, when individuals would defect from the Russia or East Germany to the West, although some also moved the opposite way from the United States or United Kingdom. Defectors were 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 often ended up sad and lonely in their new home.

Some notable defectors

• Kim Philby (Britain to USSR)
• Guy Burgess (Britain to USSR)
• Donald MacClean (Britain to USSR)
• Oleg Gordievsky (USSR to Britain)
• Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancer (USSR to Canada)
• Rudolf Nureyev, dancer (USSR to France)
• Martina Navratilova, tennis player (USSR to USA)
• James Joseph Dresnok (USA to North Korea)
• Jerry Wayne Parrish (USA to North Korea)
• Bernon F. Mitchell (USA to USSR)
• William H. Martin (USA to USSR)