Political espionage refers to the practice of gathering confidential information about a government or political entity to gain an advantage. This can involve spying on officials, intercepting communications, or infiltrating organizations. The information obtained can be used for strategic planning, influencing policies, or undermining opponents. Countries often engage in political espionage to protect their national interests or to gain leverage in international relations. Techniques may include cyber espionage, where hackers target government systems, or traditional methods like human intelligence, where agents gather information through personal interactions. The consequences can lead to diplomatic tensions or conflicts.