Cia's Black Ops: Covert Action, Foreign Policy, and Democracy

By John Jacob Nutter

Book Overview

Since 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency has secretly worked to subvert foreignpowers and even overthrow enemy governments to further United States influence abroad. The vast array of CIA black "ops" (operations)--including covert acts against Saddam Hussein and international terrorists, secret Afghan missions, the overthrow of Guatemalan leaders, assassination plots against Castro and others, domestic and foreign narcotics conspiracies, underground Mafia relations, and even controversial plans to dupe top U.S. officials-has stretched its influence far beyond its original purpose.A member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, Dr. John Jacob Nutter reveals that the U.S. has become too enamored with covert action; that black ops have become U.S. foreign policy; and that the CIA has developed into a policy maker, dangerously independent of the government that created it. Nutter explains the many and varied types of covert action-subsidies, graymail, propaganda, psychological and economic warfare, military support, paramilitary operations, coups d'etat, and assassinations-and provides detailed examples of success and failure undertaken in the name of "national security."Unusual and exclusive, The CIA's Black Ops is a courageous and unprecedented declassification of foreign exploits and domestic secrets, covering clandestine activities from the birth of special operations to today's underground actions--many operations so covert that government officials don't know (or don't want to know) they are taking place.A well-recognized expert on terrorism and covert operations, John Jacob Nutter is a historical researcher and former assistant professor at Michigan State University, specializing in covert action, international politics, and guerrilla warfare. He has appeared on numerous news programs including National Public Radio and CNN.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573927422
• ISBN13: 9781573927420
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Even More Relevant Today

John J. Nutter's The CIA's Black Ops traces the history of the use of covert operations by Cold War-era policymakers as a "third option," used in situations in which neither diplomacy nor overt military action were deemed desirable. A political scientist and not a historian, the author argues that covert operations were unavoidable (and, at times, necessary) during the Cold War and still are in the 21st century, and that policymakers' accountability is equally unavoidable. Nutter uses mostly secondary sources, many of which were written by participants in the covert operations described, to craft his analysis in a lively, entertaining style. The target audience is the average, intelligent reader rather than the academic community, which presumably is already familiar with both the "spook" tales and the analysis. This book has two significant, interrelated strengths that make it a must-read. First, the author's style makes the subject matter accessible to the lay reader, who, second, is able to apprehend the author's careful development of the paradoxes and dangers of using cloaked means to realize diplomatic ends in an open society. All too often in this day and age, the average citizen is willing to believe the government's official line and not reflect on the possibility that a very different truth actually exists beneath the thick layer of spin. The CIA's Black Ops is a well-crafted cautionary tale and an enjoyable read that is even more relevant today, five years after its publication.

Factual Fear

Nutter has done his homework in throughly researching this work. Unlike many in the political world, he has no axe to grind, and no need to pump himself up. He delivers a solidly written, must-read book. Given what has happened since September 11, 2001, you are doing yourself a great disservice if you don't read this book. The CIA has had issues for quite some time as Nutter points out. The events of 9-1-1 just make the background that he presents all the more significant to the International Relations student.

Authoritative, revealing, fascinating reading.

From covert acts against Hussein to secret Afghan missions and the overthrow of leaders and governments around the world, The CIA's Black Ops charts the CIA's secret operations and controversial plans, revealing a country fascinated by covert action and surveying how such operations have become a part of U.S. foreign policy. Essential for any surveying international politics.