Declassified Docs Reveal JFK Considered Dismantling CIA After Bay of Pigs
On the 65th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, newly released documents from the National Security Archive reveal that President John F. Kennedy seriously considered reconfiguring or even dismantling the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the aftermath of the operation. The paramilitary assault on Cuba, which took place in April 1961, was a significant Cold War setback for the United States. According to the archives, Kennedy tasked his White House aide, Arthur Schlesinger, with exploring options to overhaul the intelligence community following the debacle. This historical revelation highlights the depth of the administration's frustration and the internal crisis within the US government regarding intelligence failures. The release of these documents provides fresh insight into the executive branch's reaction to one of the most notorious foreign policy errors of the 20th century, emphasizing the severe political and strategic repercussions that nearly led to the abolition of the CIA.
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Declassified Docs Reveal JFK Considered Dismantling CIA After Bay of Pigs
On the 65th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, newly released documents from the National Security Archive reveal that President John F. Kennedy seriously considered reconfiguring or even dismantling the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the aftermath of the operation. The paramilitary assault on Cuba, which took place in April 1961, was a significant Cold War setback for the United States. According to the archives, Kennedy tasked his White House aide, Arthur Schlesinger, with exploring options to overhaul the intelligence community following the debacle. This historical revelation highlights the depth of the administration's frustration and the internal crisis within the US government regarding intelligence failures. The release of these documents provides fresh insight into the executive branch's reaction to one of the most notorious foreign policy errors of the 20th century, emphasizing the severe political and strategic repercussions that nearly led to the abolition of the CIA.
Asia Times