Books like Executive Secrets by William J. Daugherty

In Executive Secrets, William J. Daugherty—a 17‑year veteran CIA operations officer—examines the intelligence discipline of covert action and the presidential decision‑making processes that have shaped U.S. foreign policy since World War II. Drawing on congressional investigations, recently declassified documents, and his own involvement in covert action policy and oversight, Daugherty shows how presidents have initiated, approved, overseen, and reviewed CIA covert programs to advance their broader policy objectives. Illustrating the real impact of covert action on foreign affairs, the book includes specific instances of presidential direction of CIA operations, as well as an account of Daugherty’s own tour in Iran, where he was detained during the Carter administration. Through an inside perspective combined with objective analysis, Executive Secrets argues that covert action remains an indispensable tool of presidential statecraft in a complex and dangerous modern world.

First publish date: 2004