A Return to Covert Operations: A CIA Officer's Return to Vietnam After the War

In this video, former CIA official John Stockwell recounts his recent trip to Vietnam with his Vietnamese wife and son. The journey was fraught with many bureaucratic obstacles as they had to go through many months of inquiries and waiting just to get visas. As a person who had worked in Vietnam during the last months of the war, John and his family were filled with complex and deep emotions.

John takes us on a tour of the country and the people, describing the steps that the government has taken to recover from the war. He shares his insights on the information from many articles and books written about Vietnam today, emphasizing the flexibility of the government in trying different economic and political approaches to address the vast problems.

However, John also notes that despite the country's progress, Vietnam is still at war. The country fought off a full-scale invasion by China and continues its military operations in Cambodia. He also reveals that the US is mounting a CIA covert operation against Vietnam.

As a person who has experienced Vietnam firsthand, John is currently writing a book about his experiences in the country, both during and after the war. Through this video, viewers gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's complex history, the resilience of its people, and the ongoing struggles that the country still faces.

John Stockwell's experience with the CIA in Vietnam was a significant part of his life and career. In 1964, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a young officer and was sent to Vietnam, where he was tasked with running the CIA's intelligence operations in the country.

Stockwell quickly rose through the ranks and became the Chief of the CIA's Task Force on Vietnam, responsible for directing the agency's operations in the country. He worked closely with military leaders and government officials, including then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, who later became President.

During his time in Vietnam, Stockwell witnessed the brutality of the war firsthand. He saw villages destroyed, innocent civilians killed, and countless soldiers wounded or killed in action. He also saw the corruption and mismanagement of the South Vietnamese government, which made it difficult for the United States to achieve its goals in the country.

Stockwell's disillusionment with the war grew over time, and he eventually became a vocal critic of US policy in Vietnam. After more than a decade with the CIA, he resigned from the agency and became an anti-war activist.

Since leaving the CIA, Stockwell has been a vocal critic of US foreign policy and has spoken out against government secrecy and corruption. He has written several books on his experiences with the CIA and his views on US foreign policy, including "In Search of Enemies: A CIA Story" and "The Praetorian Guard: The US Role in the New World Order."

Stockwell's experience with the CIA in Vietnam played a significant role in shaping his worldview and his activism. Through his work, he has sought to shed light on the darker aspects of US foreign policy and promote greater transparency and accountability in government.