Operation HAIK: The Eisenhower Administration and the Central Intelligence Agency in Indonesia, 1957-1958.
Abstract
When Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the Oval Office in 1953, the perceived menace of a monolithic, communist conspiracy aimed at conquering the 'Free World' provided the focal point for his foreign policy. He encouraged the 'rollback' of communism, which was a strategy dedicated to liberating those satellite states that the Soviets continued to dominate through intimidation and control, and strove to prevent the influence of communism in the Third World. Eisenhower viewed his election victory as a mandate to carry out a more active policy against Soviet-inspired communism. Although he feared the military and political assault on the free nations by the Soviets, he exhibited an even greater apprehension regarding uncontrolled U.S. spending on the military during peacetime. The president's main objective became balancing the maximum level of deterrence while minimizing costs. The CIA provided Eisenhower the means to continue the war against communism without relying on overt capabilities, and without taxing the American economy. In the middle of his second administration, Eisenhower continued to show his enthusiasm for the CIA's role in stemming the spread of communism by authorizing a covert action in Indonesia, later known as Operation HAIK (pronounced 'hike'). The operation showed the president's enthusiasm towards countering communism at a low intensity conflict level. When the situation demanded an increase in commitment of overt support to achieve success, he chose to reevaluate the situation and not get further involved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA321861
Entities
People
- Douglas B. Kennedy
Organizations
- University of Georgia