Traces our country's long history of covert and special operations, focusing on the similarities and differences in the practice from the Revolutionary War to the present.
Long before the creation of the CIA, the American government utilized special intelligence strategies with varying degrees of success. Even though critics throughout time have questioned the effectiveness and legitimacy of these tactics, presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama have employed secret operations to benefit the nation's best interest. This book follows America's history of intelligence gathering, undercover operations, and irregular warfare. Through chronologically organized chapters, the author examines secret military maneuvers, highlighting the elements common to covert and special operations across historical eras, and concluding with a chapter on national security since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
J. Ransom Clark, JD, served 25 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, including assignments in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Washington, DC; and 15 years as faculty member and administrator at Muskingum University. His published work includes Praeger's
Intelligence and National Security: A Reference Handbook.
Preface
Chapter 1Establishing Context
Chapter 2From Revolution to World War II
Chapter 3World War II
Chapter 4Beginning the Cold War
Chapter 5The Heyday: 19531961
Chapter 6Challenging Times: 19611973
Chapter 7New Rules, New Challenges: 19741981
Chapter 8Agreements and Disagreements: 19811989
Chapter 9New Presidents, New Rules: 19892001
Chapter 10A Changed Game
Chapter 11New President, Continuing Challenges
Selected Bibliography
Index
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