defectors

A defector is an individual who abandons allegiance to one country, government, organization, or ideological cause to join or align with another. The term is used across political, military, and social spheres and can apply to people seeking asylum or renouncing a regime. Defection is distinct from emigration or desertion, though lines can blur in practice.

Defectors can be political, military, or organizational. Political defectors flee repression or coercion or disagree with a regime’s policies. Military defectors abandon service to join an opposing faction or country. Corporate or organizational defectors leave to join a competitor or to disclose information. Motives range from safety and survival to ideological shift and strategic calculation.

Legal status and consequences vary. Host states may grant asylum or refugee protection under international law, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention, or may pursue extradition or prosecution. Home governments may label defectors as traitors or spies and may revoke citizenship. Defectors often rely on international networks for protection, resettlement, or support while abroad.

Notable examples include Kim Philby, a British intelligence officer who defected to the Soviet Union in 1963; Lee Harvey Oswald, who defected to the USSR for a period; and Rudolf Nureyev, a ballet dancer who defected from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961. These cases illustrate how defection can affect international relations, security perceptions, and cultural life.

See also asylum, deserter, spy, whistleblower.