DA4250 Covert Action

This course examines the role and conduct of Covert Action in the United States. The course will cover historical cases, and various types of covert action employed by US Presidents to further US policy goals. The class will also look at the role of congressional oversight, legal authorities, policy considerations, and ethical issues, and is relevant to DoD/DoN to further interagency collaboration and engagement in Title 10/Title 50 deconfliction of operations in today's battle space. This class will include information up to the SECRET level but most course material and student papers/presentations are expected to be kept UNCLASSIFIED. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Security Clearance Required

• Secret

Course Learning Outcomes

• Explain various types of covert action and give specific examples.
• Explain the role covert action has played in the CIA and how this role has evolved over time. 
• Using a case study approach, assess the risks and benefits of covert action as a US policy tool.
• Describe the legal authorities and oversight responsibilities associated with covert action, to include Title 10/50 issues.
• Apply course content to write short “PDBs” on the conduct of covert action and, in class, work on a team to develop and brief a covert action on a top U.S. policy challenge.