Unveiled insights from the recently disclosed JFK Files: Fascinating discoveries this week
Unraveling the Deep State's Secrets:
The Trump administration has finally released the long-awaited JFK assassination files, giving experts and enthusiasts alike a fascinating treasure trove to dissect. These documents provide an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of the government and its spy agencies during the Cold War.
The files are chock-full of juicy tidbits, such as details about the CIA's clandestine tradecraft, including their "Family Jewels" report. This report outlines the illegal activities the CIA was involved in, mostly kept under wraps, operating within the U.S. borders from 1959 to 1973.
We've seen some snippets of "The Family Jewels" before, but thanks to the recent release, we now have a clearer picture of the extent of these operations. Here's a roundup of the most eye-opening revelations from the past week.
Redacted documents have been slowly replaced with raw information, revealing a lot of the nitty-gritty details that were previously hidden. For instance, one such document detailed the CIA's attempt to train birds for domestic surveillance operations. Yes, you read that right - the CIA tried spy-squ wouldn't dare call them 'pigeons' - operations!
Another intriguing find was an internal CIA memo from 1966 about spies. This memo recommended a "certificate of distinction" for a high-ranking CIA official who led the technical division. Previous releases of the same document contained heavy redactions, but thanks to the new files, we now know this individual led a team that developed fluoroscopic scanning and X-rays, allowing the CIA to detect hidden listening devices for the first time.
The Washington Post published a roundup of its favorite reveals, including one of the more petty CIA operations ever: tainting 800 bags of raw sugar shipped from Cuba to the Soviet Union in 1962. The goal? To make the sugar taste vile, costing the Soviet Union hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Post also pointed out the massive amount of personal information that was unredacted in the files, including social security numbers of living individuals. According to the Post, over 400 social security numbers were uncovered, belonging to spies, lawyers, legislators, former Congressional staffers, and even a notable whistleblower who ended up on President Nixon's enemies list.
For the most comprehensive analysis of the JFK files, head over to the National Security Archive (NSA), a non-profit organization at George Washington University. The NSA specializes in archiving and researching government secrets and documents, making them the go-to source for this topic.
Among the new files is a 1961 CIA Inspector General's report on the assassination of Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo. This report reveals the names of the CIA officers involved in the plot to kill Trujillo.
The NSA also highlights a document from the "Family Jewels" that detailed CIA counterintelligence operations against American allies based in D.C. This document suggests that CIA agents broke into the French Consulate and stole documents, and that former CIA chief John McCone had inappropriate dealings with the Vatican.
Another interesting tidbit comes from a note to JFK on his inauguration day. White House aide Arthur Schlesinger Jr. informed his boss that 47 percent of the political officers serving in U.S. embassies were actually spies. In the Paris embassy alone, there were 123 spies working as diplomats for the CIA.
As historians and scholars continue to comb through the JFK files, there's no doubt more controversies and revelations will surface. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and prepare yourself for the deep dive into America's own dark underbelly.
- The recent release of the JFK assassination files has revealed that a high-ranking CIA official who led the technical division during the 1960s was responsible for developing fluoroscopic scanning and X-ray technology, allowing the CIA to detect hidden listening devices for the first time.
- The new files also contain a 1961 CIA Inspector General's report on the assassination of Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo, which reveals the names of the CIA officers involved in the plot.
- Historians and scholars are combing through the files, and it is expected that more controversies and revelations will surface as they continue to analyze the documents.
- The National Security Archive (NSA) is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the recent JFK files, as they specialize in archiving and researching government secrets and documents.
