See what the President of the United States saw in his daily briefing fifty years ago. Stand in his shoes as he faces an ongoing war, angry protesters, a hostile nuclear armed adversary, and much more. Here is what the CIA thought was important for you to know!
It is Friday, January 1, 1971. A North Vietnamese division is moving into Laos. Viet Cong are winning in Cambodia. Russia and China are squabbling. But Poland wants to be friends!
It is Saturday, January 2. Apparently Chinese leadership is feeling pretty discouraged. "Peking's New Year pronouncement, appearing as a joint People's Daily - Red Flag - Liberation Army Journal editorial on 31 December. is remarkably cautious in its claims of progress... The editorial
s stock-taking of improvements in Peking's international position is surprisingly limited. It pointedly ignores China's achievements in the diplomatic field..." Meanwhile, it appears that Venezuela is trying to bring Cuba back into the Latin American diplomatic system and the Organization of American States, and rebels in Laos are pushing government forces out of position.
It is Monday, January 4, and top in your Daily Briefing are defeats for government forces in Cambodia and Laos. A bit of good news from the Soviet press, which is playing up remarks by Kosygin about the value of Strategic Arms Limitations Talks; something still classified about the "Fedayeen"; and apparently the military coup in Bolivia is running out of steam.
What a stressful job! What would you have done on the world scene in January 1971? What feedback would you have given the CIA on this brief?
There is no better way to understand the events of the past than to read the same materials as the actual decision makers did. An ideal resource for teachers, students, home schoolers, and scholars. Readers who enjoy learning about Viet Nam, the Middle East, Russia and China will find this volume fascinating.
Each volume in this Fifty Years Ago series will only be in print for a year before going "back to the vault", so act promptly to secure your copy.
