Operation Mockingbird and the American Surveillance Aircraft Operation
Abstract
Over the course of time, changes in technology and changing political landscapes have had an impact on the changing counterintelligence tactics being employed. A close examination of operations conducted during two
different time frames can help show the changes counterintelligence has undergone over the years. Operation Mockingbird and the American surveillance aircraft operation have been chosen to help complete this task. In the course of the assignment, the discussion shall follow the challenges of each operation and the changes in how counterintelligence changed over the course of the operations.
Introduction
In the course of History, the United States has conducted different counterintelligence operations with different agendas. The operations have often evolved during the course of a particular era. For instance, during the cold war, counterintelligence operations were aimed at ensuring enough information was gathered about the operations of Russia. Similarly, during the American civil war, counterintelligence by Union and Confederation
forces were aimed at ensuring that either party had an upper hand over the other. After the 9/11 attacks, most of the counterintelligence operations conducted by apparatus of the United States government are aimed at helping
to ensure that there is sufficient information is available to inform decisions made with regards to terrorism. A close look at counterintelligence operations such as Operation Mockingbird and the American surveillance aircraft operation will help in discussing the challenges of each operation and the changes in how counterintelligence changed over the course of the operations.
Operation Mockingbird
In the late 1940s, during the early days of the Cold War, the CIA started a secret operation named Mockingbird.[1] The intention of the operation was to ensure that the CIA had influence at major media outlets. Furthermore, during the course of the operation, reporters and other media personality would be put on the CIA’s payroll.[2] The move had been proved to have been successful over the course of time. The journalists were recruited to be species and disseminators of propaganda for the CIA.[3] Over the course of time, media assets held by the CIA included ABC, NBC, CBS, Time among many others. In addition, the CIA had at its disposal about 400 journalists who pushed its agenda.[4] Under this operation, the CIA had managed to infiltrate the country’s businesses, media, and universities. For example, over the course of the operation, Ivy League graduates were
recruited from universities such as Yale.
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