The Cia – from Reliance to Neglect – the Cia Under Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson

The CIA – from Reliance to Neglect – The CIA under Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson

Outline

I. The Creation of the CIA. A. A dilemma: Secret intelligence in a democratic society.

II. An era of trust: The Eisenhower administration. A. The overthrow of Mossadeq. B. Covert operation in Guatemala. C. Eisenhower’s confidence in the CIA. D. The faulty premises behind covert operations.

III. The end of an era: The Bay of Pigs fiasco. A. The aftermath: Designating a scapegoat. B. Operation MONGOOSE.

IV. Neglect of CIA intelligence: The Johnson administration. A. The CIA and Vietnam: Early reservations. B. Operation “Rolling thunder” and Mao Zedong. C. The Intelligence struggle: DIA and CIA. D. The resignation of McCone. E. Helms and “Compliant Intelligence”. F. The Tet Offensive.

The CIA – from Reliance to Neglect – The CIA under Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson

The Central Intelligence Agency has been regarded as one of the most controversial government organization of modern times. In this context it has been the subject of much public attention, speculation and mystery. The focus of my research paper is to study the role of the agency decisively within the context of its times: The Cold War. In his book The CIA and American Democracy the historian Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones states: “The personality and outlook of a particular president, the degree of his respect for and interest in intelligence, and the frequency with which he consults the CIA director have a crucial effect on the Agency’s standing […]” (6). When focusing on the presidencies of Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson the changing status of the agency within White House circles becomes obvious. Among the relationship towards the presidential administrations associations to other intelligence agencies and the outcome of specific operations also contributed to the prestige and standing of the CIA during the Cold War. Starting from the Eisenhower presidency the standing...