Covert operations are a delicate balancing act between oversight and efficiency. The first step in reforming the system should be to look for changes that would increase national security without compromising either one.
Under current law, a president must justify the use of covert action to 사람찾기흥신소 House and Senate intelligence committees by giving them a written document called a finding. He must also notify Congress of any anticipated covert action.
Defending the United States
The purpose of covert action is to influence foreign political conditions and support the efforts of people and groups that have been deemed as being in America’s best interests. Some of these activities include supplying money to certain groups, paramilitary operations, and covert propaganda. During the Cold War, these activities were used to combat the expansion of communist control. However, today the United States is facing an international threat from other states that are using their covert resources to build hegemony in regions conducive to subversion.
The primary source material in this collection shines a light on both the specific details of particular covert actions as well as the overall management and oversight of these activities. It includes documentation associated with the director of central intelligence nomination hearings for figures like Stansfield Turner, James Woolsey, and George Tenet. It also includes documents associated with the CIA’s attempt to overhaul its operation.
The current system of congressional oversight is effective, but it is not without its shortcomings. Several more steps could be taken without jeopardizing effectiveness, such as requiring the president to submit reports on planned covert action before appropriations are made. Moreover, Congress should be allowed to request a full public accounting of the cost of covert actions before they are implemented. The American system is built upon the idea that elected officials will take action based on the advice of multiple arms of government and the input of the American people.
Overthrowing a foreign government
Overthrowing a foreign government is one of the more ambitious covert operations. It involves a significant amount of risk, but can have a major effect on international events. However, the benefits of such operations are difficult to quantify and often hard to judge.
These missions are designed to manipulate international events without the American public and the target country knowing who is behind them. They include military coups, political interference in elections, and support for dissident and opposition groups. Some of these are armed, while others are not. During the Cold War, these operations were pursued by the CIA to roll back Soviet influence throughout Europe and Asia.
Successful covert regime change depends on a number of factors, including the ability to recruit a credible alternative leader willing to cooperate with the intervening power. Moreover, it should be possible to avoid provoking a direct military response. This is why non-violent covert operations are generally preferred over violent ones, although the former may require more specialized skills to succeed.
A recent study of declassified documents found that the United States attempted to overthrow 64 foreign governments between 1947 and 1989. Of these, less than 40 percent succeeded. The success rate of overt missions was even lower, with fewer than half achieving their objective. Nevertheless, these operations must be carefully weighed against their costs and risks in order to be appropriate for national security purposes.
Countering terrorism
Covert operations can be used to influence foreign conditions in a variety of ways. They can include non-violent actions such as creating disaffection among the population, or influencing political decision-making by placing agents in key positions. They can also be violent, such as sabotage or paramilitary support of an insurgency. A common feature of covert action is “plausible deniability,” meaning that the originating government can deny involvement in any particular incident.
However, a focus on plausible deniability can obscure other considerations. The effectiveness of covert operations depends on how they fit into a comprehensive strategy. In addition, it is important to consider whether covert activities can be sustained over time. In this regard, the book emphasizes that covert activities should be consistent with overt policy goals.
Moreover, it is important to establish clear boundaries between the Executive and Congress. The American system is based on the idea that elected officials make policy measures that are subject to review by the various arms of government in a process of checks and balances. But the system is difficult to reconcile with the reality that some covert operations require elected officials and their actions to be kept secret. The collection contains numerous documents that highlight the tension between these two entities. For example, it features a series of director of the central intelligence nomination hearings for figures such as Stansfield Turner, James Woolsey, and George Tenet.
Protecting the nation from covert action
Covert action, which involves influencing political or economic conditions abroad without revealing the government’s role, can be an effective tool. However, the secrecy that accompanies these operations can have serious consequences for democratic society. It can also lead to escalation, which increases the risks of the operation and its costs.
This type of policy is a tricky one, and it must be balanced with the needs of democracy. A bad policy decision can sully the reputation of covert action, and ultimately harm national security. The President and intelligence community must take care not to abuse their power, but they can do this by scrutinizing their decisions with the spirit of the law rather than focusing on the letter.
In addition, it is important to ensure that covert action is separated from clandestine collection efforts. A separate department would help analysts approach information collected clandestinely more objectively and skeptically. In addition, it would help ensure that the president can make the best use of the agency’s limited resources.
It is important to examine the historical record of covert action before deciding on new applications and goals. The question should be whether it is worth the cost and whether or not it will achieve its desired results. If the answer is no, then there is a need to consider how to change the current system.