a short time, if and when needed. The advantage of influencing a foreign government, or dissuading a political or military bloc through covert actions makes sense, since it does not overtly involve the political or diplomatic "image" of the U.S.
The advantage of covert actions being necessary is obvious. There are a number of continuing "hot spots" which require intervention. But it cannot (or, at least should not) be a substantial diplomatic or political move on the part of the U.S. government. With the collapse of the Soviet Union into a series of disputatious republics, covert intelligence is needed, if nothing else than to support those who are working to stabilize these republics, politically as well as economically. Currently, the serious political situation in Ukraine could use some covert intelligence activity For all that is know, it
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