Spy fiction, a genre of literature involving
espionage as an important context or plot device, emerged in the early twentieth century, inspired by rivalries and intrigues between the major powers, and the establishment of modern
intelligence agencies. It was given new impetus by the development of fascism and communism in the lead-up to
World War II, continued to develop during the Cold War, and received a fresh impetus from the emergence of
rogue states, international criminal organizations,
Muslim fundamentalism, global terrorist networks, maritime piracy and technological sabotage and espionage as potent threats to Western societies.