CIA dark operations

"CIA dark operations" is a colloquial term for covert or clandestine operations conducted by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). These are activities that are designed to be kept secret, or at least deniable by the U.S. government, to achieve specific foreign policy objectives without overt military intervention or public acknowledgment.

Here's a breakdown of what that generally entails and some notable examples:

What are "Dark Operations"?

 * Covert vs. Clandestine: While often used interchangeably, "covert" operations are those where the U.S. involvement is concealed, but the action itself might be observable. "Clandestine" operations are entirely hidden from the public, including the action itself. "Dark ops" typically refer to the latter, or at least the most sensitive and deniable of covert actions.

 * Plausible Deniability: A key aspect of dark operations is "plausible deniability," meaning the U.S. government can credibly deny its involvement if the operation is exposed or goes awry. This is achieved through various means, such as using third parties, creating front organizations, or simply withholding information.

 * Types of Activities: Dark operations can encompass a wide range of activities, including:

   * Paramilitary Operations: Training and equipping foreign forces, supporting insurgencies or resistance movements, direct action missions (raids, sabotage, targeted killings).

   * Political Action: Covertly influencing foreign elections, supporting or undermining political parties, propaganda and disinformation campaigns (including "black propaganda" where the source is entirely hidden).

   * Economic Warfare: Covertly disrupting the economies of target countries.

   * Cyber Warfare: Engaging in cyberattacks or cyber espionage.

   * Intelligence Gathering: Highly sensitive human intelligence (HUMINT) operations, including recruitment of agents and surreptitious entries.

   * Rendition and Detention: The controversial practice of seizing suspected terrorists in one country and transporting them to another for interrogation, sometimes at "black sites" (secret detention facilities outside U.S. territory).

Why are they conducted?

 * Achieve foreign policy goals: When overt diplomatic or military action is deemed too risky, impractical, or undesirable.

 * Counter hostile foreign states or groups: To disrupt threats, gather intelligence, or prevent attacks.

 * Support friendly foreign states or groups: To bolster allies or promote stability in regions of interest.

 * Avoid public scrutiny and international condemnation: By maintaining secrecy and deniability.

Notable Examples of CIA Dark Operations (some declassified, some alleged):

 * 1953 Iranian Coup d'état (Operation Ajax): The CIA, along with British intelligence, helped orchestrate the overthrow of democratically elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and restored the Shah to power. This operation is widely considered a major factor in subsequent anti-American sentiment in Iran.

 * 1954 Guatemalan Coup d'état (Operation PBSuccess): The CIA supported a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected leftist government of President Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán.

 * Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961): An abortive attempt by CIA-sponsored Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro. This was a major embarrassment for the U.S. government.

 * Operation Mongoose (1961-1962): A comprehensive program aimed at overthrowing the Castro regime in Cuba through various covert means, including sabotage and assassination plots.

 * Operation Condor (1970s-1980s): Support for right-wing dictatorships in South America in their campaign of political repression and assassinations against perceived left-wing opponents.

 * Operation Cyclone (1979-1989): The CIA's program to arm and fund the Mujahideen in Afghanistan to resist the Soviet invasion. While successful in driving out the Soviets, it had long-term, unintended consequences, including contributing to the rise of extremist groups.

 * Iran-Contra Affair (1980s): A scandal involving the covert sale of arms to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages, and the diversion of profits to fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, in defiance of a congressional ban.

 * Project MKUltra (1950s-1970s): A highly controversial program involving human experimentation, including the use of drugs like LSD, hypnosis, and other forms of abuse, to develop techniques for interrogation and mind control. Much of this was conducted without the consent of the subjects.

 * CIA Black Sites and Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (Post-9/11): Following the 9/11 attacks, the CIA operated secret detention facilities (black sites) around the world where suspected terrorists were subjected to "enhanced interrogation techniques," which many consider torture.

It's important to note that information about many "dark operations" remains classified, and historical accounts often rely on declassified documents, investigative journalism, and whistleblower accounts. The legality and ethical implications of many of these operations have been, and continue to be, a subject of intense debate.