The Joint State Political Directorate (OGPU) was a government agency in the Soviet Union, established in 1923. It was responsible for state security, intelligence, and the suppression of political dissent. The OGPU played a crucial role in enforcing the policies of the Communist Party and maintaining control over the population during the early years of the Soviet regime. In 1934, the OGPU was reorganized and became part of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD). This transition marked a shift in its focus, leading to increased repression and the infamous purges under leaders like Joseph Stalin. The OGPU's legacy is often associated with political oppression and the establishment of a surveillance state in the Soviet Union.