Knowledge Tree
covert action
Also known as: covert operations, covert actions
Facts (18)
Sources
Rethinking Espionage in the Modern Era cjil.uchicago.edu 5 facts
referenceUnder 50 U.S.C. § 3093(e)(1), United States covert action is defined as activities of the United States Government to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad where the role of the United States Government is intended to be non-apparent or unacknowledged, excluding activities primarily intended to acquire intelligence.
claimWilliams suggests that the United States should analyze cyber intrusions under a covert action framework rather than an intelligence analysis framework due to the unclear distinction regarding cyberespionage.
claimRobert D. Williams argues that the distinction between cyberespionage and covert action is so unclear that it is better to analyze cyberespionage under a covert action framework.
accountExamples of covert action include the destruction of power stations in Nicaragua to undermine the Marxist-oriented Sandinista regime, the assassination of foreign leaders, and the transmission of anti-communist propaganda during the Cold War into nations under the purview of the Soviet Union.
claimThe author of the article 'Rethinking Espionage in the Modern Era' defines espionage as the collection of information, while defining covert action as acting on information in pursuit of national interests.
History of the Central Intelligence Agency - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org 4 facts
referenceJames Callanan's chapter 'Eisenhower, the CIA, And Covert Action' in 'A Companion To Dwight D. Eisenhower' (2017) discusses the relationship between Dwight D. Eisenhower and the CIA regarding covert action.
referenceJohn Prados's book 'Presidents' Secret Wars: CIA and Pentagon Covert Operations from World War II Through the Persian Gulf War' (1996) details covert operations conducted by the CIA and the Pentagon.
referenceOn June 18, 1948, the National Security Council issued Directive 10/2, which authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations against hostile foreign states or groups, or in support of friendly foreign states or groups, in a manner that allowed the U.S. government to plausibly deny responsibility.
claimThe Office of Policy Coordination was created within the CIA to fulfill the requirements of National Security Council Directive 10/2 regarding covert operations.
United States Foreign Intelligence Relationships everycrsreport.com May 15, 2019 4 facts
formulaCovert action is defined in U.S. statute as an activity or activities of the United States Government to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where it is intended that the role of the United States will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly.
claimCongressional oversight provisions in statute cover covert actions involving foreign partners, but other forms of foreign intelligence relationships are harder to oversee.
claimCIA officers claimed that a reduction in human intelligence and covert action following the 1975 congressional investigations into U.S. intelligence activities forced the CIA to rely excessively on SAVAK (the Iranian intelligence agency) for information on Iran's domestic developments.
claimDeliberations regarding joint covert action operations with foreign partners can influence U.S. policy decisions and outcomes due to the close link between covert action and national security policy.
The Evolution of the U.S. Intelligence Community-An Historical ... govinfo.gov 2 facts
claimIn 1955, the National Security Council reissued its 1948 directive on covert action, reemphasizing that the CIA held the responsibility for implementing peacetime foreign policy objectives.
claimThe Commission on the Organization of the Government for the Conduct of Foreign Policy recommended that covert action be employed only when clearly essential to vital U.S. purposes and only after a careful process of high-level review.
Steven M. Greer - Wikiquote en.wikiquote.org 1 fact
claimSteven Greer asserts that multiple individuals from corporate and military intelligence programs have corroborated his claims regarding the methods and purposes of covert operations involving staged extraterrestrial abductions.
The Role of Private Corporations in the Intelligence Community belfercenter.org 1 fact
claimGuidelines are needed to determine when it is appropriate for private firms to engage in sensitive intelligence functions, such as collecting intelligence, conducting covert action, and drafting finished analysis.
Entities Blocking UFO Disclosure: Dr. Steven Greer's Allegations ... substack.com Feb 21, 2025 1 fact
accountDr. Steven Greer's uncle, who was an employee at Northrop Grumman, reportedly confirmed to Greer the development of large triangular craft, which Greer links to covert operations involving drug and human trafficking.