[D66] NATO's Operation Gladio

[René Oudeweg]

[Geen frisse organisatie, Nato]

Here’s a timeline of Operation Gladio and its broader European context, 
highlighting major milestones, revelations, and related incidents:

🔹 1945–1949: Origins

     Post-WWII: Western intelligence services (especially the CIA and 
MI6) begin planning covert operations to resist potential Soviet invasion.

     1949: NATO is founded; secret "stay-behind" armies are organized 
under its framework in Western Europe.

🔹 1950s–1960s: Expansion and Coordination

     Stay-behind networks are created across NATO countries, including 
Italy (Gladio), France, Belgium, Germany, Greece, and Turkey.

     Networks receive training, arms caches, and funding — mostly from 
the CIA.

     1956: The Allied Clandestine Committee (ACC) is established within 
NATO to coordinate these operations.

     Many governments are unaware or only partially informed of these 
clandestine armies.

🔹 1970s–1980s: "Strategy of Tension" (Italy)

     Gladio is allegedly involved in destabilization operations against 
leftist movements.

Key Incidents:

     1969: Piazza Fontana bombing (Milan, 17 killed). Blamed on 
anarchists, later linked to far-right elements connected to Gladio.

     1972: Peteano bombing (3 Carabinieri killed). Initially blamed on 
the Red Brigades, later traced to right-wing operatives tied to Gladio.

     1980: Bologna train station bombing (85 killed). One of the worst 
terrorist attacks in Italian history. Right-wing extremists, possibly 
with Gladio ties, were convicted.

     Throughout the 70s–80s: Period known in Italy as the Anni di Piombo 
("Years of Lead"), marked by frequent political violence.

🔹 1990: Exposure and Political Shock

     October 1990: Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti publicly 
confirms the existence of Operation Gladio in Italy.

     Parliamentary inquiries are launched.

     Arms caches and documents are found.

     Andreotti claims Gladio acted independently of Italian democratic 
oversight, sparking public outrage.

🔹 1990–1992: European Repercussions

     Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, and others investigate 
their own stay-behind operations.

     European Parliament debates the issue and expresses concern over 
democratic accountability.

     Many details remain classified or heavily redacted.

🔹 2000s–Present: Legacy and Debate

     Daniele Ganser's book (2005) reintroduces Gladio to the public and 
academic debate.

     Ongoing scholarly and journalistic interest, often intertwined with 
discussions of the deep state, false flag operations, and intelligence 
overreach.

     Still no full declassification of Gladio-related materials in many 
countries.

🔚 Summary

Operation Gladio evolved from a Cold War defense project into a deeply 
controversial symbol of democratic subversion, covert warfare, and 
state-sponsored manipulation. Its legacy continues to resonate in 
political theory, conspiracy culture, and critiques of Western 
intelligence practices.