Origins of Covert Operations: OSS to CIA

This chapter explores the pivotal role of the OSS during World War II and its covert operations, particularly the Free Thai Movement, which employed university students as unwitting agents against Japanese forces. It examines the historical roots of the CIA, the ideological battle between communism and capitalism, and the moral complexities that have persisted since their inception. The discussion highlights the impact of surveillance culture and the intertwining of self-interest and ideology in political decisions throughout the Cold War.