Contrary to popular misconceptions and public branding as "dirty tricks," covert action and counterintelligence can have considerable value. Democracies, while wary of these instruments, have benefited significantly from their use, saving lives, treasure, and gaining strategic advantage. As liberal democracies confront the post-Cold War mix of rogue states and non-state actors, such as criminals and terrorists, and weapons of mass destruction and mass disruption, these clandestine arts may prove to be important tools of ...
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Contrary to popular misconceptions and public branding as "dirty tricks," covert action and counterintelligence can have considerable value. Democracies, while wary of these instruments, have benefited significantly from their use, saving lives, treasure, and gaining strategic advantage. As liberal democracies confront the post-Cold War mix of rogue states and non-state actors, such as criminals and terrorists, and weapons of mass destruction and mass disruption, these clandestine arts may prove to be important tools of statecraft, and perhaps trump cards in the twenty-first century. Godson defines covert action as influencing events in other parts of the world without attribution, and counterintelligence as identifying, neutralizing, and exploiting the secret activities of others. Together they provide the capability to resist manipulation and control others to advantage. Counterintelligence protects U.S. military, technological, and diplomatic secrets and turns adversary intelligence to U.S. advantage. Covert action enables the United States to weaken adversaries and to assist allies who may be hampered by open acknowledgment of foreign support. Drawing on contemporary and historical literature, broad-ranging contacts with senior intelligence officials in many countries, as well as his own research and experience as a longtime consultant to the U.S. government, Godson traces the history of U.S. covert action and counterintelligence since 1945, showing that covert action works well when it is part of a well-coordinated policy and when policy makers are committed to succeeding in the long-term. Godson argues that the best counterintelligence is an offensive defense. His exposition of the essential theoretical foundations of both covert action and counterintelligence, supported by historical examples, lays out the ideal conditions for their use, as well as demonstrating why they are so difficult to attain. This book will be of interest to students and general readers interested in political science, national security, foreign policy, and military policy.
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Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action and to cart. $10.05, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
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Fair. This copy has clearly been enjoyed-expect noticeable shelf wear and some minor creases to the cover. Binding is strong and all pages are legible. May contain previous library markings or stamps.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action & to cart. $10.89, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action & to cart. $10.89, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action & to cart. $10.89, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action & to cart. $10.89, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action and to cart. $12.25, good condition, Sold by KeepsBooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wilmington, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action and to cart. $14.78, good condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Routledge.
Add this copy of Dirty Tricks Or Trump Cards: U.S. Covert Action & to cart. $32.00, very good condition, Sold by Book Happy Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Transaction Publishers.
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Very Good. 337pp; Covers clean & bright, one corner of book slightly bumped, text unmarked, binding is tight, VG condition. Independent analysis of key elements of intelligence. With new introduction by the author.