American Cryptology during the Cold War, 1945-1989
GWU's National Security Archive, 14 Nov 08:
National Security Agency Releases History of Cold War Intelligence Activities
Quote:
....In response to a declassification request by the National Security Archive, the secretive National Security Agency has declassified large portions of a four-part “top-secret Umbra” study,
American Cryptology during the Cold War. Despite major redactions, this history discloses much new information about the agency’s history and the role of
SIGINT and communications intelligence (
COMINT) during the Cold War. Researched and written by NSA historian Thomas Johnson, the three parts released so far provide a frank assessment of the history of the Agency and its forerunners, warts-and-all.
According to National Security Archive visiting fellow Matthew Aid (author of the forthcoming history
The Secret Sentry: The Top Secret History of the National Security Agency), Johnson’s study shows
“refreshing openness and honesty, acknowledging both the NSA’s impressive successes and abject failures during the Cold War.” Another striking feature of Johnson’s study is the candor with which it discusses the fractious and damaging relationships between the agencies which make up the U.S. government’s intelligence establishment......
Book I: The Struggle for Centralization, 1945-1960, Book I, Part 2
Book II: Centralization Wins, 1960-1972, Book II, Part 2
Book III: Retrenchment and Reform, 1972-1980, Book III, Part 2
