- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY without some respect or affection or affection respect without some It is not easy to write biogra a good phy By Randall B. Woods Basic Books 546 pp. $29.99 which probes, during congressional to conservatives him abhorrent made CIA veterans. and many for the subject, and Woods holds Col- Woods and for the subject, stresses He esteem. considerable in by commitment and mission of sense the - which fi felt work, his about Colby nally marriage helped to end his first after unhappy for three endured it had he concludes And Col that decades. of CIA scandals were revelations by’s run agen to the in the long beneficial clearing (and some out its cobwebs cy, in and finally of its cowboys) reining disruptivethe and morale-destroying division, of the counterespionage role which caught few moles but sowed

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MARTIN WALKER

President believed the believed the Nixon Richard President “a Central Intelligence Agency was for Ivy Leaguerefuge intellectuals op- William In the case of posed to him.” the director to become who rose Colby, Nixon of central intelligence in 1973, But this excellent and was almost right. RandallWoods, by biography thorough a noted University historian of Arkansas Vietnamof the era in American poli SenatorWil of biography whose tics for was nominated the liam Fulbright subtle and a more gives Pulitzer Prize, argues that Woods sympathetic analysis. Scout a Boy devout and Catho- Colby, lic who hated totalitarians stripe, of any and alwayswas Constitution the to loyal His loyalties of the day. to the president driving him to pursue his undoing, were counterinsurgencydoomed policies in him appear a vil- which made Vietnam, disclosethen to and the liberals, to lain embarrassments long-guarded CIA’s ONCE NOTED THAT KISSINGER HENRY REVIEWED BY SHADOW SHADOW THE CIA EGAN COLBY AND WILLIAM Divided Loyalties Divided WARRIOR:

SHADOWCURRENT WARRIOR BOOKS - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY way. Colby then suggested to his superiors to his suggested then Colby way. that he should be parachuted into Spain one of his favorite professors was Edwin of his favorite professors one Works to the Public an adviser Corwin, Colby After graduating, Administration. attended Columbia Law School for a serving before year of Stra in the Office operating II, War tegic ServicesWorld in bravely local movements with resistance and Nor behind enemy lines in - - Colby had become a passionate sup passionate a become had Colby porterDeal while an under of the New where graduate in the 1930s at Princeton, HORST FAAS / AP IMAGES HORST FAAS a of inspects the shotgun , then head of the U.S. pacification program in Colby, William rural villager in Thua Thien province in 1969. widespread internal distrust. Above all, all, Above internal distrust. widespread crafts of an a fascinating tale Woods World American life that was shaped by and Vietnamthe War, Cold the II, War and theWar, a challenge of remaining while being human liberal and decent ruthlessly. these conflicts fighting

SHADOW WARRIOR - - - , an , The Nation THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Colby himself did not quite fit this this quite fit did not himself Colby doubtlessly similar disillusion.) will face who Elbridge Colby, His father, mold. line of Mas a long from was descended had Puritanssachusetts and seafarers, and taught to Catholicism converted at the UniversityEnglish literature of and marriedmet he where , the Catholic Mary Egan, Margaret After immigrant. daughter of an Irish in volunteeringCross Red the with he joined I, War SerbiaWorld during Army when his country de the U.S. he his dismay To clared war in 1917. not to Canal, was posted to the Panama Afterwar, the in France. the battlefront university to the he returned to com plete his doctorate rejoined but soon the Army for to provide his wife and was born who William, newborn son, was Elbridge Colby Fatefully, in 1920. where Georgia, Benning, posted to Fort a black soldier was shot and killed for failing to yield the sidewalk to a white after an all-white jurycivilian; acquitted wrote an Colby Lieutenant the shooter, outraged letter to the base newspaper in that was republished event that blighted his military career. which Tianjin, He was later posted to Williammeant that spent part of his developing what his in China, boyhood grasp of “fair” described CIA file as a - -

The Agency “attracted what nowadays what “attracted AgencyThe of the Franco regime. of the Franco regime. to organize the overthrow to organize the be parachuted into Spain parachuted into be superiors that he should superiors that lby suggested to his to his Colby suggested we would call would we the best and the bright the politically men liberal young est, Ivy League the finest from and women campuses and with the most impeccable social and establishment backgrounds,” Honorable later wrote in a memoir, Colby people “young Theywere (1978). Men spirits adventuresome and ‘vigor’ with who believed fervently that the commu to be met aggressively, had nist threat (Change and courageously.” innovatively, and “terrorist,” to “communist” the word genera- the of said be might same the and CIA after that joined the tion 9/11, to complete the antifascist campaigns by campaigns antifascist the to complete by Franco of the overthrow the organizing After the war, They demurred. regime. armeda newly with law degree fledged for the worked Colby Columbia, from helping LaborBoard, Relations National join- before unionize, to garmentworkers been formed.just which had CIA, the ing

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Colby’s New Deal sympathies put him Colby’s Their biggest problem was finding Italian cars with trunks big enough to hold the stacks of lire they were funneling to the non-Com- munist parties, politicians, and newspapers. ty, would never come to power. Running to power. never come would ty, in the program political the largest action of some a budget had Colby history, CIA’s One of his colleagues a year. $30 million problem later recalled that their biggest Italian cars with trunkswas finding big they hold the stacksenough to of lire funneling to the non-Communist were and newspapers. politicians, parties, “La as known at odds with the woman and influential, the celebrated, Signora,” in ambassador very conservative U.S. Boothe Luce—althoughClare , wife second was later convinced Colby’s that La Signora an affair had and Colby in Rome of atmosphere vita the dolce in Luce hated Socialists almost the 1950s. believed Colby as Communists; much as that they and the Social Democrats were potential allies in the anti-Communist - - - - - This was not the conventional WASP WASP the conventional This was not assignment for the CIA first Colby’s the language along with an affinity with with along the language his future. shape that would Asia was Nor of CIA legend. background aristocracy to join the Colby of the CIA, and counterintelligenceits intelligence focused the Soviet on sections Union he was a para Instead, and Europe. military type who specialized in covert and raising and training secret action of James the alleged words In armies. of CIA counterin head Jesus Angleton, (whom than 20 years telligence for more leader the future later fire), would Colby As “just a paratrooper.” of the CIA was “The spy himself later wrote, Colby that masters and counterspies feared of operations flamboyant the high-risk, jeopardized the security ‘the cowboys’ of their carefullyand cover constructed clandestine networks.” he was where was in 1950 in , arms dumps and recruitto set up secret underground go would who volunteers in the event of a Sovietto fight invasion. or In the earlyWar, of the Cold years was aforces suchganizing stay-behind then Colby work. major part of the CIA’s po- the to took he where Italy, to moved litical aspect of covert operations like a that the seeking to ensure duckto water, political largest par Italy’s Communists,

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- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY When Colby arrived in Saigon, opin When arrivedin Saigon, Colby ion within the U.S. mission was already was already mission within the U.S. ion Henry Ambassador divided between who were and his staff, Cabot Lodge Jr. trying to withhold military aid in order Dinh Diem’s Ngo President force to democratic to make reforms, regime and the military staff and the Pentagon, The such condition. any which rejected Kennedy, F. of John in 1960 election of the the spread who was fascinated by to the developing world and War Cold counterinsurgencyby and covert opera gave knew well, kind Colby the of tions Colby Indochina a new prominence. foundrunninghimself armies of secret operating mountain tribesmen in Laos, dispatching gueril CIA-backed airlines, trying and Vietnam, in vain Northto las administration the Kennedy to dissuade which gave Operation Switchback, from prime responsibility for the Pentagon counterinsurgency policy in South U.S. work,” it won’t Secretary, “Mr. Vietnam. chief of station), where he arrived he in the where chief station), of dayswaning brief of that interlude be rule in 1954 and the end of French tween increasingly bloody startthe of America’s was sufficiently It peaceful involvement. runtime to have to a for Colby first at changed, That soon ScoutBoy troop. Vietnam of the and the next 17 years take up half of this book. engagement - - - Colby’s Asian affinities ensured that ensured Asian affinities Colby’s in 1956 he was invited to succeed the in 1956 he was invited legendary Lansdale in running Edward coun its effective and the CIA station terinsurgency operation in the Philip saying he wanted He declined, pines. the defeat of the Communists to secure was that Once election. 1958 Italy’s in was appointed deputy Colby achieved, chiefstation in Saigon (he quickly to rose struggle. Moreover, Colby’s New Deal be New Colby’s Moreover, struggle. Plan, liefsVanoni to support led him the a Keynesian-style policy economic that Washington, reported to Colby was also, rally to a way Socialist and working-class warning Luce it bitterly, opposed support. horse for Trojan a become that it would strategy to be (Colby’s proved Moscow. Italian Socialistthe endedParty correct; in 1963 with the Communists its pact and joined the ChristianDemocrats in a government.)coalition Colby found himself running of mountain secret armies tribesmen in Laos, operating CIA-backed airlines, and dispatching guerillas to North Vietnam.

SHADOW WARRIOR - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY But it was too late. By then, Colby’s Colby’s By then, But it was too late. student of the special characteristics of the student of the from the lessons wars and peoples’ and British experiencesMa in French believed and elsewhere, Vietnam, laya, in or lost won be would that the war U.S. at a time when the But the villages. Orange Agent to was sowing Air Force and defoliate jungles giving crops poison and increas combatants, to enemy cover Army conscripts ingly demoralized U.S. staging crude search-and-destroy were stubborn belief in rural Colby’s missions, In 1975, becamedevelopment quixotic. back the bedraggled CIA welcoming he outraged teams after the fall of Saigon, insisting that and startled by many more been almost won war had the peoples’ began administration when the Nixon the most Perhaps withdrawal. its slow charitable has to is that one explanation to maintain morale, believe in something believed that he and the CIAand Colby bureaucracy understood in the U.S. alone this kind of war. notori become had - and ous for torture and assassinations, CIA was being discredited, his beloved college cam as on as well in Congress at was even lower Its reputation puses. and Nixon where Whitethe House, securitynational were Kissinger adviser no outraged that they received had - - - Revelations of the CIA’s role in the the in role CIA’s the of Revelations Always the loyal soldier, Colby put put Colby Always soldier, the loyal program were an important factor in important an in factor were program in the eyes Vietnam the War discrediting a serious Colby, of the American public. mined Colby’s best efforts to strengthen mined Colby’s evidence strong despite And the hamlets. always Colby maintained to the contrary, was designed that the Phoenix Program Viet local and convert arrest, to identify, rather assassinate than leaders, Cong estimates that however, Woods, them; Viet than 5,000 more operatives Cong killed supportersand more and were captured. than 10,000 others were corrupt military in Saigon under regime he told Secretaryhe told of Defense Robert plan referring to a Pentagon McNamara, insertto into saboteurs and commandos even as Ambassador Vietnam, North Lodgewas trying to run the CIA to get Diem. President a coup against as known program his heart into a U.S. (Civil Operations and Revo CORDS which lutionary Support), Development ruralpromoted and sought development Vietnamese to secure hamlets from also CORDS infiltration. Communist included the infamous Phoenix Pro CIA-led covert the war against gram, Viet- who routinely terror cadres Cong ized to the Saigon villages seen as loyal The often killing leaders. village regime,

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- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Some in the CIA never forgave him Someneverin the CIA him forgave ministrations that were easing Cold War War Cold easing ministrations that were He was finally Pres sacked by tensions. 1975, in November ident until months three office in remaining H. George president future by replaced offer turned Ford’s down Colby Bush. W. and to NATO, ambassador to become into private life and law practice. retired in and his death for his forthrightness, a supposed canoe in south accident ernMaryland rumors sparked 1996 in Local watermen killing. of a revenge body, left Colby’s were how wondering fewwhich showed signs of water im one ended up on could have mersion, side of a sandbank while his sand-filled If he canoe was found the other. on explains the Woods and was murdered, way to save an institution that remained that an institution to save way even as he vital to American security, firmlyandsupported arms the control ad Nixon-Ford the of détente policies Some in the CIA never for CIA never in the Some in and his death gave him, canoe accident a supposed in in southern of rumors 1996 sparked a revenge killing. - - - - Colby had taken the helm of the CIA the helm of the CIA taken had Colby Ever the lawyer, Colby followed the law the followed Colby Ever the lawyer, and the Constitution and came and the Constitution clean to He believed this was the only Congress. warning Egyptian of the 1973 attack War. Kippur Yom the that precipitated had their communications (Knowing the Egyptians had been compromised, hand-de and radio messages sent false orders.) the real livered this deluge. just before 1973, in May scandal was unfurling, Watergate The White was swinging the Nixon House and Con paranoia, panic and between events be investigating soon would gress in a series internal revealed of secret CIA reports that became as the known de The documents jewels.” “family scribed attempts, botched assassination and illegal spying links to the Mafia, The Justice Department Americans. on was preparing charges against Colby’s had who Helms, Richard predecessor, such on matters and misled Congress CIA loyalists among known become call title would as what a later book The Throughout hisWho Secrets Kept the Man . makes the case that in Woods book, own in activities instances such as the CIA’s Vietnam illegal intelli and its domestic the agency was left taking gathering, gence responsibility for policy disasters that were decisions. of presidential really the result

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a Wilsona Center senior

THE WILSON QUARTERLY SPRING 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n Wood’s solid and intriguing solid and intriguing Wood’s , will be published will be published The Devil’s, Cave many contemporaries judged him contemporarieshim many judged (1994). His latest His latest History A (1994). War: The Cold MARTIN WALKER, this summer. scholar and a member of The Wilson - Quarter is the author of editorial advisors, board ly’s of novel, harshly. harshly. self-questioning and political division. politicaland self-questioning division. to both loyal to remain sought Colby court to the Machiavellian his CIA and and for White House, of the Nixon that, biography suggests that history that suggests biography may be kinder. - - By that time, the Cold War was over over was War the Cold By that time, evidence thoroughly, the vengeance the vengeance evidencethoroughly, exacted. to be 20 years took not only had and the CIA survived but in at the heartremained the vast U.S. of Colby that extent, To empire. telligence even his heirs though vindicated, was Vir at CIA headquarters in Langley, all to relearn the hard have would ginia, of counterinsurgencylessons warfare casts Woods and Afghanistan. in Iraq in an impossible hero as a flawed Colby a series an honorable man fighting time, well as Washington in of vicious wars, during a period of American as abroad,

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