During the Cold War, The United States Government, Armed Forces, and Central Intelligence Agency faced the formidable task of having to battle and contain the spread of the communist, socialist, and Marxist ideologies of the Soviet Union across dozens of countries around the world without igniting another “hot” or total war. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, United States history has aimed at encouraging the belief that the United States is a force for the good in this world. However, exploring and analyzing the histories of American Foreign Policy also reveals entities such as the CIA have been a manipulative force in the world, especially in Latin America. In Guatemala, in 1950s, the Central Intelligence Agency
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For as long as there has been fighting there has been a need for spies, intelligence, and secret movements/operations. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese warfare tactician and leader said, “hence it is only the enlightened and wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve greater results. Spies are the most important asset, because on them depends an army’s ability to march.” Also, “George Washington used his intelligence information in an effective manner to decide when the conditions are more favorable to engage or not engage in battle.” Both leaders were successful because they understood the importance of using intelligence to carefully pick and choose battles that would result in victory or success. Covert guerilla based military strategies and tactics, as well as non violent military actions when properly employed are equally as efficient and effective as traditional strategies and tactics. President Truman understood that when issuing the Truman Doctrine “The present power relationships of the great states preclude the domination of the world by anyone of them. Those power relationships cannot be substantially altered by the unilateral action of any one great state without profoundly disturbing the whole structure of United Nations” In the nuclear age following World War II the US did not want to become directly involved in another total war, as that would “imply the use of nuclear weapons.” Hence, the CIA’s ability to gather necessary intelligence and operate covertly, without drawing attention to their missions, enabled the US to avoid direct engagement with Soviets and their communist allies, and possible escalation to nuclear
For as long as there has been fighting there has been a need for spies, intelligence, and secret movements/operations. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese warfare tactician and leader said, “hence it is only the enlightened and wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve greater results. Spies are the most important asset, because on them depends an army’s ability to march.” Also, “George Washington used his intelligence information in an effective manner to decide when the conditions are more favorable to engage or not engage in battle.” Both leaders were successful because they understood the importance of using intelligence to carefully pick and choose battles that would result in victory or success. Covert guerilla based military strategies and tactics, as well as non violent military actions when properly employed are equally as efficient and effective as traditional strategies and tactics. President Truman understood that when issuing the Truman Doctrine “The present power relationships of the great states preclude the domination of the world by anyone of them. Those power relationships cannot be substantially altered by the unilateral action of any one great state without profoundly disturbing the whole structure of United Nations” In the nuclear age following World War II the US did not want to become directly involved in another total war, as that would “imply the use of nuclear weapons.” Hence, the CIA’s ability to gather necessary intelligence and operate covertly, without drawing attention to their missions, enabled the US to avoid direct engagement with Soviets and their communist allies, and possible escalation to nuclear