Their need was great : eÌmigreÌs and Anglo-American intelligence operations in the early Cold War
Covert action during the Cold War has been the subject of much historiography. This research, however, is based for the most part on primary sources, specifically on the records declassified in the United States in 2007 as a consequence of the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act. The majority of the historiography on this topic either predates or neglects these records. The study of covert operations inside the Iron Curtain during the early Cold War, sponsored by Western states using eÌmigreÌ agents, usually ends with the conclusion that these operations were a failure, both in operational terms and from the point of view of the intelligence gathered. I will challenge this conclusion, showing that not only the operations gathered a significant amount of intelligence, but also that the intelligence obtained was considered valuable by policymakers and had an impact in the planning and policymaking strategies of the early Cold War. The focus on primary sources also allowed a detailed description of the practical aspects of the operations, leading to a more coherent and solid analysis of their development and consequences. This study focuses on American operations, due to the abundance of records available. British
Cacciatore, Francesco
Their need was great : eÌmigreÌs and Anglo-American intelligence operations in the early Cold War. Covert action during the Cold War has been the subject of much historiography. This research, however, is based for the most part on primary sources, specifically on the records declassified in the United States in 2007 as a consequence of the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act. The majority of the historiography on this topic either predates or neglects these records. The study of covert operations inside the Iron Curtain during the early Cold War, sponsored by Western states using eÌmigreÌ agents, usually ends with the conclusion that these operations were a failure, both in operational terms and from the point of view of the intelligence gathered. I will challenge this conclusion, showing that not only the operations gathered a significant amount of intelligence, but also that the intelligence obtained was considered valuable by policymakers and had an impact in the planning and policymaking strategies of the early Cold War. The focus on primary sources also allowed a detailed description of the practical aspects of the operations, leading to a more coherent and solid analysis of their development and consequences. This study focuses on American operations, due to the abundance of records available. British
need great anglo_american intelligence operation early_cold_war covert action cold_war subject_much historiography however base part primary_source specifically record united_states consequence nazi war disclosure act majority historiography topic either neglect record study covert operation inside iron early_cold_war sponsor western state use agent usually end conclusion operation failure operational term point_view intelligence gather challenge conclusion show operation gather significant_amount intelligence also intelligence obtain consider valuable policymakers impact plan policymaking strategy early_cold_war focus primary_source also_allow detailed_description practical aspect operation lead coherent solid analysis development consequence study_focus american operation due abundance record available british