Abstract This paper discusses the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) involvement in Iraq before the 2003 invasion and how it contributed to the war with Iraq. Specifically, it contains information on the CIA's initial studies on Iraq and includes a personal opinion regarding the CIA's influence on beginning the war. It explains how the CIA's reports on Iraq and their weapons of mass destruction before the invasion of Iraq helped move the invasion forward and justify the war to the American people. It asks how the CIA's intelligence went so wrong and whether there are still weapons of mass destruction hidden in Iraq.
From the Paper "Before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 by the allied forces of Great Britain and the United States, there was a large and comprehensive political outpouring of information and material justifying the pending invasion by both American and British sources. One of the most vocal agencies in this prelude to war was America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In October 2002, the CIA released a multi-page report discussing "Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs," which went on to detail the various reasons why Iraq was a threat to the United States and the world."
Abstract The paper explains why the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s role in Vietnam has been difficult to assess completely. The paper first looks at the degree of commitment that the US government had developed in the political outcome of Vietnam. The paper then discusses the conflict over whether the military or the CIA should establish precedence over covert operations in Vietnam and describes what actually led to the eventual dominance of the CIA in Vietnam. The paper focuses on the many failures of the CIA's covert operations and counter-insurgency effort and contends that the war was already lost when intelligence failures of the CIA failed to adequately prepare the US and its forces to function appropriately in the region.
From the Paper "The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the United States (US) and its role in Vietnam during that country's involvement in Southeast Asia is a role that has been difficult to assess completely. Part of the difficulty is that the CIA's role is, of course, almost completely related to covert operations in the conflict which are, by nature, secretive and most often censored. Additionally, the role of the CIA in Vietnam was also often one that was competitive in nature with the role of the military's own covert operations with both bodies vying for dominance in the conflict. Yet, there is a long precedence of CIA involvement in Vietnam and it is one that generally established the US government itself in the region while the French colonial forces were still struggling for dominance."
Tags: espionage, counter-insurgency, operations, Kennedy, Johnson
Abstract This paper discusses the methods the CIA used to try to "get rid" of Fidel Castro and overthrow the communist Cuban government. This paper gives light to some of the many plots the CIA came up with to rid the world of history's longest ruling communist dictator.
From the Paper "To say that the relationship between the United States and Cuba is complicated is a major understatement. Ever since 1959, when Fidel Castro came into power in Cuba, the two nations have had a strained relationship at best, and a highly adversarial relationship when things got worse. Now that the Cold War is over and Cuba is no longer receiving weapons and aid from the defunct Soviet Union, relations between the two countries are much more relaxed. However, during the height of the Cold War, during the Kennedy administration and even before that, the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States developed and planned several ways to bring down the communist Cuban government; the catalyst they kept going back to in order to bring down the government was the assassination of Fidel Castro."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the topic of the Iran-Contra Affair. Specifically, the paper discusses what the Iran-Contra Affair was, how it developed, how it was discovered, the Congressional hearings, and the aftermath. The Iran-Contra Affair was really a series of covert operations initiated by the Reagan Administration and carried out, first, by the CIA and then the NSC. These affairs were investigated by Congressional committees after they became public and were as detrimental to the government as the Watergate affair because they subverted the Congress and the Constitution.
From the Paper "The Iran-contra affair is certainly one of the most notorious acts in United States governmental history. Many critics have likened it to the Watergate Scandal of the 1970s Nixon administration in terms of importance and sheer ignorance. One writer noted, "The Iran-contra affair raised serious questions about the nature and scope of congressional oversight of foreign affairs and the limits of the executive branch" (Editors 23448). After the Congressional hearings ended, numerous reports and recounting of testimony were published, including a 690-page report from the Tower and other committees who investigated the affairs. Caspar Weinberger (Secretary of the Defense) and several other participants were pardoned by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, and North and Poindexter's criminal convictions were eventually overturned, so very little actually happened legally to the main participants in the affairs."
Abstract The paper relates that the bombings of the World Trade Towers brought the conflict between the FBI and CIA to the surface. The paper looks at the two government agencies associated with gathering intelligence on activities that might threaten US lives and interests. The paper examines the conflict between the two agencies in terms of how it effects the current and future situation of the war on terrorism. The paper shows how the two agencies are set up for two entirely different purposes, but maintains that they must still be able to communicate and talk civilly together.
Outline:
Different Worlds: Cultural Effects
Defining New Roles: Gender Effects
Technological Barriers
Prospective and Trans-active goals
Lens Model of Conflict
From the Paper "The differences between the CIA and FBI stem from their original set up at their inception. They were initially set up for different functions, and only recently has the need to work closely stood in their way to perform their individual jobs. The key to the problem is communication between the two groups. One must delve into the origins of the two groups to understand these differences fully."
"The Central Intelligence Agency began in 1947 as a completely separate entity from the FBI. Interactions between the two groups have even been hostile at times (Gorman, 2007). Both groups share the goal of protecting the United States from hostile attacks, but they each had their own way of handling situations and developed a type of territorial attitude in order to avoid stepping on one another's efforts (Gorman, 2007). This attitude made it difficult for them to work as a team."
This paper argues in favor of the statement "Any agency which works in secret can behave in a scandalous manner, and the CIA is no exception to this rule."
Abstract In this article, the writer analyzes the following statement on two grounds: "Any agency which works in secret can behave in a scandalous manner, and the CIA is no exception to this rule". The writer first discusses whether it is true that agencies which act in secret behave in a scandalous manner and then if so, whether the CIA is an exception or a demonstration of this rule. The writer then makes the argument that all agencies, throughout history and in whatever country, region or empire, that act in secret are inherently prone to dishonesty and unethical acts. Next, the writer maintains that the CIA must act, to some degree, in secret with some of its operations. Finally, the paper argues that the CIA will always be prone to dishonesty and unethical actions, which requires more regular oversight.
Outline:
Introduction
First Hypothesis: There has been an ethical agency in history
Second Hypothesis: The creeping moves toward professionalism have reduced ethical inhibitions
Ethics, the CIA and Recent History
Politics by Innuendo: Contributing to Unethical Conduct?
Conclusion: Is the CIA Inherently Untrustworthy?
From the Paper "All agencies throughout history and across nations are prone to act in a dishonest and unethical manner. The proof to this hypothesis is the null hypothesis: that is, if the author has been unable to find a government agency which acts in secret, which over time has not acted in an unethical manner. A second null hypothesis would be to find a spying operation which has operated in an ethical and honest manner over a long period of time, therefore disproving the above statement.
"One can argue that any government agency requires power in order to be effective. Power comes through the purse--ability to fund, through coercion--ability to force, or through persuasion--ability to convince. None of these methods is, in and of itself, inherently unethical. One can persuade, coerce or bankroll activities in an open and above-board way."
Abstract This paper shall address the role of the CIA and its investigation of domestic intelligence. Several key events in the history of the CIA are discussed, including the Bay of Pigs and the events at the Watergate Hotel. An emphasis on the Rockefeller Commission as a means of regulating the CIA is noted.
Abstract This paper examines the John F. Kennedy assassination. The paper explains that the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 has been shrouded in controversy for the past forty years. The paper discusses, however, that many researchers have concluded that the Central Intelligence Agency, or rogue elements within the CIA, were responsible for the murder of this popular American president. The paper explains that conspiracy theorists have been unable to provide conclusive proof of CIA responsibility, but they have been able to offer a significant amount of circumstantial evidence that seems to implicate the CIA.
From the Paper "The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 has been shrouded in controversy for the past forty years. But many researchers have concluded that the Central Intelligence Agency, or rogue elements within the CIA, was responsible for the murder of this popular American president. Conspiracy theorists have been unable to provide conclusive proof of CIA responsibility, but they have been able to offer a significant amount of circumstantial evidence that seems to implicate the CIA. In order to ascertain whether a CIA conspiracy to kill JFK is credible, it is necessary to examine a number of issues and to ask some pertinent questions. For example, did the CIA have a motive to assassinate President Kennedy?"
Abstract The paper reveals that in a supposed effort to preserve national security, the CIA has become heavily involved with various aspects of the international drug trade, including the mafia, the opium and heroin traders of Southeast Asia and fundamentalist Islamic resistance fighters. The paper further argues that the CIA engaged in experiments upon American citizens to determine how illegal drugs could be used in interrogation. The paper also asserts that through its anti-communist support for the Afghanistan rebels, the CIA may have helped create the channels for growing and distributing the heroin that financed and continues to finance anti-Western terrorist activities.
From the Paper "Officially, America is engaged in a 'war on drugs.' The implication of this phrase is that the drug lords and dealers are the 'bad guys' while the American government, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is made up of the 'good guys' fighting to keep the nation and its citizens drug-free and free of drug-related crime. However, as authors such as Alexander Cockburn and Jeffrey St. Clair illustrate in their text Whiteout: The CIA, Drugs and the Press and Alfred McCoy in his book The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade, this is far from the case. In a supposed effort to preserve national security, the CIA has become heavily involved with various aspects of the international drug trade, including the mafia, the opium and heroin traders of Southeast Asia and fundamentalist Islamic resistance fighters."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the Warren Commission's report stated that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, and there was no conspiracy, the nagging question of who killed JFK still haunts the minds of many Americans. The author points out that the CIA theory of New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison, is probably the most well-known of the conspiracy theories because it was made into a film starring Kevin Costner and directed by Oliver Stone. The paper relates that the Kennedy assassination is probably one of the most galvanizing events of modern history, and so, it will always remain controversial and shrouded in secrecy and theories.
Table of Contents
The CIA Theory and Jim Garrison
The "Grassy Knoll" Theory
The Mafia Theory
The Warren Commission
From the Paper "One of the most credible theories in recent years is the Mob or Mafia theory. Some historians point to Jack Ruby's known links with organized crime before he moved to Texas as evidence that the Mob was involved in the President's assassination. However, there are even more compelling arguments to back up the Mafia theory, including incriminating tapes of Mob bosses discussing bumping off one or more of the Kennedy's. The bosses were angry about John and Bobby's open war against organized crime, and it is conceivable that they could have created a conspiracy that pointed to Oswald, while making sure Ruby would do away with any evidence that might lead the trail back to the Mafia."
Abstract This paper presents a report on Philip Taubman's book, "Eisenhower, the CIA, Hidden Story of America's Space Espionage" which gives a view into the leaders', policy makers' and engineers perspectives' of the American space espionage in its infancy.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Eisenhower's Perspective
The CIA's Perspective
Space Age Spying's First Controversy
The Scientist's, Engineer's and Analyst's Perspective
The Terrorism Angle
From the Paper "This book demands a greater respect for the Central Intelligence Agency. Even in today's intelligence community, many professionals (at least those in military intelligence) are unaware that the CIA was responsible for developing the high-altitude aircraft and satellite imaging systems that they use in their jobs every day. Mr. Taubman's book helps the reader to understand President Eisenhower's participation and endorsement for the development of these reconnaissance craft, and how he overcame various obstructs due to competition between the military services, Congressional budget bickering, and the easily impressionable perspectives of the American people."
An analysis of the ethical standards used by "civilian" agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
Abstract This paper discusses the often questionable ethical standards used by "civilian" agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). It reviews past and current NSA activities, what the NSA is legally authorized to do and what ethical issues are raised by some of the NSA activities. It also provides some information about the abuses of the civilian-focused CIA which performs military tasks.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What is the National Security Archive?
What are the Duties of the NSA?
What are the Ethical Issues that Surround the NSA?
From the Paper "If the FOIA law was not in place, millions of documents - that do not place the security of the U.S. in jeopardy but that allow the public to be informed about how its tax-supported government is behaving - would be kept secret by various government agencies; and hence, the strategies and decisions which affect the American people, their jobs and their communities, would not be known. Without the FOIA, the same way totalitarian and communist governments keep information away from their citizens would be the norm here in the U.S. American is a democracy, and the FOIA assures that, to come degree at least, America is an open society and its elected officials and paid government employees can be made to be accountable."
Abstract The paper examines various perspectives on CIA operations during the Cold War. The paper looks at their successes and failures but maintains that the CIA has remained an essential tool in the fight against communism and the maintenance of the intelligence system. The paper concludes that despite the criticism of this organization, it represented a crucial segment of the conduct of American foreign policy during the Cold War.
From the Paper "The CIA was established in 1947 through the National Security Act, as part of the wider informational system "which grew out of World War II era Office of Strategic Services and small post-war intelligence organizations. The CIA served as the primary civilian intelligence-gathering organization in the government." (US Dept. of State, n.d.) According to the establishing act, it was designed for gathering of intelligence in respect to the potential threats facing the US borders. (US Intelligence Community, 2004) This evolution came as a result of the considered failure of intelligence that determined the lack of anticipation of the Pearl Harbor attacks. Thus, it is quite obvious the way in which a historical event can determine the creation of an essential tool for countering any subsequent repeats."
Abstract The paper discusses the CIA's failings in investigating the build-up of Soviet missiles in Cuba and President John F. Kennedy's skepticism towards anything coming from the CIA. The paper explains how the intelligence community's failure at the Bay of Pigs made Kennedy less than receptive to any information he received from them. The paper concludes that had Kennedy been more receptive, the Cuban Missile Crisis could have been headed off months earlier.
From the Paper "In an article that was published less than three years after the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962, Roberta Wohlstetter comments at length upon the role that intelligence played in the international incident. Specifically, she floats the idea that the U.S. intelligence establishment knew about the missiles long before they chose to act on them. For example, she mentions U.S. Senator Kenneth Barnard Keating and how he asserted in August of 1962 that he had reliable evidence of "cylindrical objects" being transported by flatbed in Cuba, as well as evidence of Soviet motor convoys. Still, despite Senator Keating's public proclamations, the dramatic (and conspicuous) arms build-up in the fall of 1962 seemed to catch U.S. leaders - both military and civilian - by surprise when it became evident that some sort of decisive action was needed."
Tags: Bay, of, Pigs, Kennedy, Castro, arms, evidence, skepticism
Abstract The paper discusses how George H. W. Bush's position as director of the CIA greatly impacted his subsequent foreign policy decisions as President of the United States. The paper shows how this experience in the intelligence community enabled him to lead the United States to an impressive victory in Desert Storm and preside over the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
Outline:
Introduction
Hypothesis
George H. W. Bush as CIA Director
George H. W. Bush as President
Conclusion
From the Paper "Unlike many other presidents who failed to adequately understand and appreciate the vital importance of the intelligence community, George H. W. Bush had the highest regard for its fundamental contributions, prioritized intelligence gathering and analysis, and made his foreign policy decisions in strict accordance with intelligence community data and analysis. His firsthand experience with intelligence issues as Director of the CIA enabled him to serve with great distinction and effectiveness as President of the United States, and empowered him to overcome the challenges imposed by Iraqi aggression in the Middle East and the chaotic collapse of the Soviet Union."
Tags: foreign, policy, Desert, Storm, Saddam, Hussein, Soviet, Union
