The psychology and politics of Ludwig Carl Moyzisch, author of Operation Cicero

This article explores the intimate relationship between psychology and personal politics, as shown in the life of Ludwig Carl Moyzisch, the handler of Cicero, who was arguably the most successful spy of World War II. An analysis of Moyzisch’s book ‘Operation Cicero’ and other sources reveal Moyzisch to be a man possessing the qualities of astuteness, imagination and empathy, but also being of doubtful moral compass. There is also evidence of uncertainty over personal identity, a characteristic which can explain his successful handling of Elyesa Bazna, also known as Cicero, himself a man of confused identity.