Description
Book SynopsisIn the past three decades, the United States government has used special operations repeatedly in an effort to achieve key foreign policy objectives, such as in the overthrow of Fidel Castro in Cuba and the rescuing of American hostages in Iran. Many of these secret missions carried out by highly trained commando forces have failed. In Perilous Options, Lucien Vandenbroucke examines the use and misuse of such special operations through an in-depth analysis of four operations--the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Sontay raid to rescue P.O.W.s in North Vietnam, the Mayaguez operation, and the Iran hostage rescue mission. Drawing extensively on declassified government documents, interviews with key decision makers and participants in these episodes, and other primary material, Perilous Options identifies recurrent problems in the way the United States government has prepared and executed such operations. These recurrent problems, outlined by key participants in these four special operations, i
Trade Review`The author has made full use of the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to government documents and his research is impressive. The 43 pages of notes are essential for future researchers and there is an extensive select bibliography.' International Affairs
`His engaging, well-written book offers a compelling critique of US strategic special operations and valuable lessons for policymakers.' Political Studies
