Agency Without an Adversary: the Cia and Covert Actions in the Nineteen-Eighties and Beyond
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1995 Agency without an adversary: The Cia and covert actions in the nineteen-eighties and beyond Edward Alexander Gibbs University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Gibbs, Edward Alexander, "Agency without an adversary: The Cia and covert actions in the nineteen- eighties and beyond" (1995). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 530. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/0qwu-4pwu This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 AGENCY WITHOUT AN ADVERSARY THE CIA AND COVERT ACTIONS IN THE NINETEEN-EIGHTIES AND BEYOND by Edward Alexander Gibbs A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science Department of Political Science University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 1995 UMI Number: 1377631 UMI Microform 1377631 Copyright 1996, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ©1996 Edward Alexander Gibbs All Rights Reserved The Thesis of Edward A. Gibbs for the degree of M.A. in Political Science is approved. i in C— L Chairperson, Andrew C. Tuttle, Ph.D. -C& _______________________________________ Examining Coxmmttee Member, Jerry L. Simich, Ph.D. 'Examining Committee Member, Steven Parker, Ph.D. Graduate Faculty Representative, George F. Mauer, Ph.D. Dean of the Graduate College, C. L. Bowles, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 1995 ABSTRACT The CIA and its covert actions have been oft criticized. After serious Congressional oversight was established in 1976-77 (The Year of Intelligence) covert actions by the Agency tapered off. Did this mean the loss of a powerful tool because of Congressional meddling in foreign affairs or simply the retiring of outmoded practices? Have covert actions conducted in the 1980s including Afghanistan and Nicaragua been successful and will they need to continue now that the United States has become the sole superpower? Proposals to drastically restructure the CIA such as those of Daniel Patrick Moynihan are examined. The methodology will include a definition of covert actions and an examination of the definition of success in covert actions. The success of covert actions will be looked at from several perspectives including short, medium, and long term time frames. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................................................................vi CHAPTER I A DEFINITION................................................................................. 1 Legal History .....................................................................................................1 A Question of Definitions............................................................................ 10 A Final Operational Definition.................................................................... 13 Endnotes........................................................................................................ 16 CHAPTER n MEASUREMENT.............................................................................. 18 The Perfect Covert Action..............................................................................18 Defining Success............................................................................................. 22 Goals: Foreign Policy and Operational.......................................................... 24 Time Frames.................................................................................................... 26 "Covert" Operations........................................................................................ 29 Meeting American Standards..........................................................................31 Bang for the Buck............................................................................................33 Perspectives......................................................................................................34 Final Notes....................................................................................................... 36 Endnotes...........................................................................................................39 CHAPTER m NICARAGUA...................................................................................41 Foreign Policy G oals.......................................................................................46 Operational Success........................................................................................50 Long Term Success...................................................................................... 57 Covertness........................................................................................................61 Democratic Standards..................................................................................... 62 Efficient Expenditure...................................................................................... 65 Benefit to Population...................................................................................... 67 Conclusions...................................................................................................... 69 Endnotes...........................................................................................................71 CHAPTER IV AFGHANISTAN "A Soviet Vietnam".............................................75 Foreign Policy G oals.................................................................................... 80 Operational G oals........................................................................................... 82 Long Term Success...................................................................................... 87 Covertness....................................................................................................... 92 Democratic Standards..................................................................................... 95 Efficient Expenditure...................................................................................... 97 Benefit to Population...................................................................................... 98 Final Conclusions.......................................................................................... 100 Endnotes......................................................................................................... 102 CHAPTER V AGENCY WITHOUT AN ADVERSARY................................... 107 End of the Cold W ar......................................................................................108 Reform the 5 Paths........................................................................................ 109 Retaining the CIA in a New More Dangerous W orld.............................. I l l Status Q uo................................................................................................... 115 Moderate Reform...........................................................................................117 Cracking the Institution.................................................................................120 Abolishing Covert Actions or the Agency..................................................