Covert Operations

The United States created the CIA in 1947 to gather and evaluate foreign intelligence, but also to engage in covert operations in support of American foreign policy objectives. When the president deemed it unwise to use the American military or wanted to avoid public connection to an operation undertaken to achieve national objectives, he could authorize the CIA Director to take action secretly.
Reflect on how the module readings in Crucible of Power relate to covert operations. Discuss with your classmates the role you think covert operations should play in the implementation of American foreign policy. In your discussion, consider CIA operations in Iran, Guatemala, and Cuba, and express how these operations influenced covert activities that furthered American foreign policy. Remember to support your position.
Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. This is a “post first” discussion forum, which means you must submit your initial post before you can view other students’ posts. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on “Reply.” Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click “Post Reply.”
To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.

American Foreign Policy in the 1950s
In the 1950s, the Cold War turned into real war with the North Korean invasion of South Korea. This occurred just as the Truman Administration was considering recognizing the communist government in China. Essentially, the Korean War froze American relations with China for over 20 years and had an impact on American involvement in Indochina.
However, the United States was pursuing contradictory policies. Containment of Soviet and Chinese expansionism contrasted with the spirit of Geneva détente in 1955 and a brief thaw in the Cold War. The Cold War affected American foreign policy decisions in the Middle East during the Suez crisis and shaped the Eisenhower Doctrine and military intervention in Lebanon. These issues during the 1950s are covered in Crucible of Power. As you read the assigned materials and watch the videos, think about the contradictions in United States foreign policy in this period and why they occurred.
Starting with the fall of China and the Korean War, think about the major foreign policy issues and the American response. What do you think were the strengths and weaknesses of American foreign policy in the 1950s? How did the Korean War influence the Cold War?
Make sure to respond to at least 2 of your fellow students after posting your analysis. In your discussion, address the question, “Were there lost opportunities or other options for United States foreign policy in the 1950s?”
Module Wrap-up
Once you have completed the items listed below, you are ready to proceed to the next module. Please check the schedule in the syllabus to find the date that the next module begins. If you have any questions, please post them to the Course-Related Questions discussion area.
Read:
• Required
o Module Notes: Korea and the 1950s
o Chapters 10-12 in the text, Crucible of Power
o Chapter 5 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. in the text, Problem from Hell
o The Forward and up to page 44 in the text, Thirteen Days
Viewed:
• Required
o Segments 14-38 of the video, Cold War (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. [length = 52:33 minutes]
o Segment 4 from the video, The Korean War (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. [length = 1:53 minutes]
Discussed:
• M4D1: Covert Operations
• M4D2: American Foreign Policy in the 1950s
Submitted:
• M4A1: Midterm Examination
Continued working on Project 2: Cuban Missile Crisis
What’s Next:
In the next module, you will learn about the Cuban Missile Crisis, the problem of American intervention in Vietnam and ongoing issues related to the Cold War in the 1960s.
To navigate to the next module, use the Modules link on the Course Toolbar or click the Next button to visit the Course-Related Questions discussion. Once you have updated yourself on the content within that discussion, click Next to enter your next learning module.