The Inauguration of Organized Political Warfare

This declassified memo outlines George Kennan's analysis and recommendations for establishing organized political warfare as a crucial component of U.S. foreign policy during peacetime. Kennan argues that political warfare encompasses all non-military means to achieve national objectives, ranging from overt actions like economic measures to covert operations such as supporting foreign resistance. He emphasizes the need for the U.S. to overcome its traditional reluctance to engage in such activities, citing the historical successes of the British Empire and the Soviet Union's refined approach. The document proposes the creation of a covert political warfare operations directorate under the National Security Council, to be overseen by the Secretary of State, and details specific project examples like supporting anti-communist elements and preventing sabotage in allied nations. Ultimately, the text advocates for a unified and coordinated government effort in political warfare to counter evolving global threats.