Lansdale and the CIA's Counterinsurgency Legacy

This chapter examines Edward Lansdale's critical role in the CIA's efforts to maintain regimes against communism during the mid-20th century, particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam. It explores Lansdale's innovative strategies for gaining local support through development programs, while contrasting his approaches to past colonial methods. The narrative highlights the complexities of imperialism in counterinsurgency practices, revealing the tension between noble intentions and the realities of violence.