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How (not) to maintain and manage power : Comments
By Reg Little, published 16/4/2008Book review: 'Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA', by Tim Weiner, reveals a failing and deficient CIA.
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Posted by plantagenet, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 5:38:07 PM
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Yet, how can an author assess the performance of an intelligence agency (covering collection, covert action and analysis) when he only has a knowledge of, or can use, old overt sources? Many of the events seem dated and rehashed.
Recent and current assessment is not possible without access and nothing but leaks (genuine or padding in official speeches) reach the public.
The global political axes both the article and book author wish to grind detract from their message. Repeated references to the decline in American power prompt me to ask where's your proof? By what measures is the US declining? Militarily and finacially its still far ahead of all other countries.
Cultural domination? Whose movies do we watch?
If the CIA has been such a failure since its creation (just after WWII) the US' continual dominance hasn't demonstrably suffered.
Its interesting that British spy literature is genteel and colourful while American products are contiually downbeat and gray. Those who have a clearer picture can write about it.
Pete