Definitions by Dancing with Fire
Bolshevik
The left-wing majority group of the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party that adopted Lenin's theses on party organization in 1903.
The word Bolshevik, an emotionally charged term in English, is derived from an ordinary word in Russian, bol'she, "bigger, more," the comparative form of bol'sho, "big." The plural form Bol'sheviki was the name given to the majority faction at the Second Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party in 1903 (the term is first recorded in English in 1907). The smaller faction was known as Men'sheviki, from men'she, "less, smaller," the comparative of maly, "little, few." The Bol'sheviki, who sided with Lenin in the split that followed the Congress, subsequently became the Russian Communist Party. In 1952 the word Bol'shevik was dropped as an official term in the Soviet Union, but it had long since passed into other languages, including English.
Bolshevik by Dancing with Fire September 7, 2012
Pentagon
The pentagonal building serving as the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, near Washington, DC. The Pentagon's unique shape makes it a highly efficient office building. Although the Pentagon has 3,705,793 square feet (1,129,526 meters) of office space, it is possible to reach most points in the building within 10 minutes, a remarkable architectural achievement. In a building which coordinates the armed forces of the United States along with organizations responsible for intelligence and security, workers often need to be able to access each other quickly.
The idea of the Pentagon was conceived in 1941, when Brigadier General Brehon Sommervell was trying to solve the problem of limited space for the Department of Defense, a serious issue in the Second World War. It was agreed that a new building was needed, and a groundbreaking ceremony took place on 11 September, 1941. It took just two years to complete the building on former marshlands along the outskirts of Washington, and the Pentagon was quickly filled with communications equipment and staff to coordinate the Department of Defense.
Pentagon by Dancing with Fire September 6, 2012
FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation; an agency of the Justice Department responsible for investigating violations of Federal laws.
The FBI is primarily a law enforcement agency. They collect intelligence related to domestic security and perform crime investigations.
FBI by Dancing with Fire September 5, 2012
CSS
Central Security Service; comprises all U.S. military branches – Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines – and works to ensure a full partnership between the NSA and the military.
The CSS provides timely and accurate cryptologic support, knowledge, and assistance to the military cryptologic community. CSS also coordinates and develops policy and guidance on the Signals Intelligence and Information Assurance missions of National Security Agency (NSA) and CSS, to ensure military integration.
CSS by Dancing with Fire September 5, 2012
MI5
The British domestic and foreign counterintelligence service responsible for national internal security.
Military Intelligence, section five; a former official and present-day popular name for the counterintelligence agency of the British Government. MI5 was formed in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau.
MI5 by Dancing with Fire September 5, 2012
MI6
MI6 was formed in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau. The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) is frequently referred to by the name MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), a name used as a flag of convenience during the Second World War when it was known by many names. The existence of MI6 was not officially acknowledged until 1994.
MI6 by Dancing with Fire September 5, 2012