Last April, six scientists from Aix Marseille University took to the stage at the Espace Julien to the Treize Minutes Marseille. These varied, rhythmic and unexpected talks have been captured on video and are available to watch or re-watch. here.

Victor Natalizio, a doctoral student in history at MESOPOLHIS, presented his thesis: «Spies in the Mediterranean?», Watch the video here.

Summary:

During the Cold War, the Mediterranean Sea was a key area of confrontation between East and West. It was also the scene of conflicts linked to decolonisation and the establishment of the State of Israel. In this context, the French Navy is particularly mobilised. To position itself, and sometimes to act, it needs information. Naval intelligence is at the heart of France's policy in the Mediterranean. The work presented here looks at the little-known role that spy sailors may have played in the conduct of French history.

Victor NATALIZIO has been working since 2022 on the study of French naval intelligence in the Mediterranean from 1962 to 1981, within the Centre méditerranéen de sociologie, science politique et histoire (MESOPOLHIS) laboratory, under the supervision of Nicolas BADALASSI.