The CIA and the Pursuit of Security

An illuminating documentary history of America's most renowned intelligence agency Since its creation in 1947, the CIA has been at the heart of America's security apparatus. It has also been the subject of major national and international controversies, and been subject to accusations of poor performance and failure, most notably over the 9/11 attacks and Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Written by intelligence scholars and experts, this book offers the reader a lively and authoritative survey of the CIA past and present. The history of the agency is presented through the prism of its declassified documents, with each being supplemented by insightful contextual analysis. The book chronicles the evolution of the CIA, its remarkable successes, clandestine operations, and its ongoing struggle to maintain American security in an age of proliferating threats. Key Features and Benefits - Includes a wealth of declassified documents that will give readers an understanding of how the CIA instigated, understood, or reacted to key historical events, with the authors' commentary providing broader contextual analysis. - Provides a robust and lively discussion of topics ranging from the high-Cold War and Vietnam to the arms race, rendition, and the hunt for Osama bin Laden. - Readers will gain an appreciation of how the business of intelligence and spying, and with it the CIA, has evolved since its inception in 1947. Huw Dylan is Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies and International Security in the Department of War Studies, King's College London. He is also Visiting Research Professor at the Norwegian Defence Intelligence School. David Gioe is Assistant Professor of History, United States Military Academy at West Point, and History Fellow, US Army Cyber Institute. He is Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of War Studies, King's College London. Michael Goodman is Professor of Intelligence and International Affairs and Head of the Department of War Studies, King's College London. He is also Visiting Research Professor at the Norwegian Defence Intelligence School.