American Strategic Deception Bureau

　"Damn it! I know those low-class soldiers like to hang out in bars and brothels, but training new recruits directly in brothels..."

　Bernard rolled his eyes. "I guess they'll just train a bunch of scumbags who are unbearable to look at? What on earth is the CIA thinking?"

　"Then how about having the existing half brigade of Cuban mercenaries skip the beach landing and instead send them directly from Guantanamo Bay?"

　Father Patrick pointed to the map of Cuba that Fili had brought and interjected, "Let the mercenaries take over any Cuban town with their backs to the US military base. Then they could raise the flag, declare the 'Free Cuba Government,' and invite the US military to quell the rebellion."

　——Although Cuba is a different place today, the Guantanamo Bay base in the eastern part of the island is still under the control of thousands of US troops.

　In fact, if the US military really wants to invade Cuba now, the Pentagon does not need to transfer troops from the mainland. It can just use the US troops already stationed in Guantanamo to easily sweep through half of the island of Cuba.

　Unfortunately, the US military in Guantanamo cannot move at all, and even Cuban mercenaries cannot use the base.

　"Launch an attack from a US military base? How is that different from directly deploying US troops? Without congressional authorization, the military certainly won't do it!

　If this is possible, why does the CIA use Cuban mercenaries to cover up its actions? Isn't it just because they are worried about their international reputation?

　Fili sighed. "When the CIA overthrew the Arbenz government in Guatemala, they didn't send troops directly from the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala. Instead, they set up a camp on the border, gathered 150 mercenaries, coordinated with the Guatemalan landlord militia to march into the capital, and then bribed Guatemalan military officers to launch a joint military coup.

　Now, if we plan to attack Cuba, as long as the CIA refuses to give up the initiative, then we can’t expect the diplomatic department and the military to cooperate sincerely…”

　——In addition to its delicate relationship with the military and the FBI, the CIA's relationship with the diplomatic department was not very good in the early days of the Cold War.

　Before the CIA was established, bribing pro-American dignitaries and accepting bribes from wealthy foreigners was a standard job and privilege for American diplomats, and it was quite lucrative. Many ambassadors and consuls skilled in tampering were even able to command the Marines and conduct small-scale military operations.

　Nowadays, CIA agents conducting overseas activities have taken over the work of diplomats, frequently bypassing embassies and consulates, colluding and exchanging interests with powerful foreigners behind the back of the diplomatic system... What do you think of the American diplomats who have been squeezed aside in this whole process?

　Of course, many years later, the diplomatic department and the CIA finally completed their adjustments and reached a consensus on the distribution of interests. They began to collude with each other, one openly and one secretly, one civil and one military, to fan the flames and cause destruction around the world, spreading war and chaos throughout the world.

　Later, various NGOs (non-governmental organizations) joined in and became the source of trouble for the whole world.

　But at this point in 1960, this inter-departmental coordination was far from complete.

　CIA agents believe that diplomats are occupying the toilet but not doing anything, while diplomats believe that CIA agents are trying to undermine them.

　Coupled with the competition for various gray incomes, it is normal for them to conceal information from each other and secretly sabotage each other. It is a miracle to have sincere unity.

　What’s even worse is that according to the original historical development, these contradictions broke out in the Bay of Pigs Incident in 1961!

　The Pentagon, knowing the inside story, obeyed orders on the surface, but secretly undermined the CIA in various ways.

　The diplomatic department, which was kept in the dark, became furious after the incident and openly confronted the CIA and tried its best to obstruct it.

　Yet, the CIA, from top to bottom, still feels incredibly good about itself, believing that as long as it holds the high ground of political correctness, the entire US government will have to follow its lead! Even the president is no exception!

　Then, the CIA collapsed.

　"In fact, in my opinion, the easiest way to solve the problem of the Pluto Project is for President Kennedy to shelve the plan to recapture Bush, or simply replace the CIA director and deputy director, which is a power granted to him by the Constitution.

　Since the Cuban strategy once promoted by Nixon has become a mess, why not just tear it all down and start anew!

　After a change of political parties, a new government should naturally have its own new strategies, rather than patching up the previous one!

　Phiri solemnly suggested to the congressman who had been following Kennedy around these days, "I know that after the election results came out last month, Director Dulles and Deputy Director Bissell visited Mr. Kennedy and received a promise to stay in the new administration.

　However, as a politician, any verbal promise that does not involve an exchange of interests should not be taken seriously.

　Mr. Kennedy’s father also received a bad check from President Roosevelt, but nothing happened after it bounced…”

　In the early 1930s, President John F. Kennedy's father, John F. Kennedy Sr., paid out of his own pocket to work for Roosevelt, helping the wheelchair-bound cripple run for president. Roosevelt generously promised that if he won, he would make him Secretary of Commerce.

　But when Roosevelt became president, this promise was broken: the Secretary of Commerce was given to other bigwigs, and Kennedy Sr. only got an ambassador to the UK.

　Even the "old officials" who contributed money and effort to the campaign committee can be treated like this.

　The CIA's current Director Dulles and Deputy Director Bissell not only did not support Kennedy in the election, but also worked for Nixon, who was on the other side. So to Kennedy, they were not only "former officials" but also "surrendered officials of the enemy nation."

　It was magnanimous of President Kennedy to let them stay in office; and it was absolutely reasonable for him to want to strip them of their official hats. The principle of a new emperor appoints new ministers is also applicable in the United States!

　However, after hearing Ferry's idea, his elder brother Bernard, who was a member of parliament, looked hesitant.

　"This... I'm afraid it's going to be a bit troublesome. Mr. Kennedy's recently drafted cabinet list has caused great controversy among the top leaders of the Democratic Party, and many in the party are very dissatisfied. If the efforts to recapture Guba are shelved, it will likely lead to even more intense public criticism.

　Moreover, Mr. Kennedy also hopes to achieve some results immediately after taking office to prove his ability..."

　"Even if I can't make a breakthrough after taking office, at least it's better than losing the battle due to mutual drag, right?"

　Fili curled his lips and said, "Wait

　What kind of cabinet did Mr. Kennedy form? Brother, do you have a list?

　Bernard hesitated for a moment, but finally took out a small notebook from his pocket, opened a page and handed it over.

　Fili reached out to take the notebook and saw that the first line of Kennedy's cabinet list was Attorney General Robert Kennedy, President John Kennedy's younger brother - well, that's normal, as relatives are promoted.

　Look at the next line, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, and the note is...President of Ford Motor Company?

　Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillon...wasn't he a Republican? And a Nixon supporter!

　This is really a case of not avoiding enemies when making external recommendations!

　After reading a few more lines, Fili's face changed drastically. He looked up in disbelief and asked, "Why are they all outsiders? Mr. Kennedy doesn't intend to use any of the supporters on the Democratic Campaign Committee?"

　Then, seeing his elder brother nod, Fili couldn't help but feel dizzy - Kennedy actually created an "outsider cabinet"!

　Oh my god! It turns out that this Irish-American president is not only white, but also wants to be an early Trump leader!

　Mr. Kennedy, you're not even president yet, and you're already dancing like that? That's a bit of a quirk, isn't it?

　Author's words: PS: Nixon is a bit like the male version of Larry the Killer. He secretly has a large group of thugs and killers. It is said that the deaths of the Kennedy brothers are related to him.

　In short, Nixon cannot be regarded as an ordinary politician, but more like a decisive and ruthless gangster.

　In his early years, Kissinger was also a think tank who gave Nixon advice when he was doing private work, and he did a lot of unethical and shady work.

　If it had been a heartless master like Larry who was killed, Kissinger would have been purged long ago and committed suicide by shooting himself eight times in the back.

　Chapter 27: Celtic Cabinets in the Anglo-Saxon World

　Although the translated name is also cabinet, the cabinets of Britain and Japan are completely different from the cabinet of the United States.

　In the UK and Japan, cabinet ministers are essentially members of the ruling party. They work alongside the prime minister, and the prime minister cannot dismiss them at will after forming a cabinet. On the contrary, if a prime minister falls, the next prime minister is likely to be a member of the original cabinet.

　But in the United States, the president's real corresponding position is not the prime minister who is the "head of all officials", but the supreme "monarch".

　Members of the U.S. Cabinet are not colleagues of the president, but rather "vassals" recruited and hired by the president - they just have a term of service.

　In theory, the US president can arbitrarily select his cabinet members without any constraints and can fire or replace them at any time.

　It’s like the boss of a wholly-owned private company who can hire whomever he wants.

　Of course, theory is theory and reality is reality, and the two cannot be confused.

　No president’s victory in an election can rely solely on his personal efforts, but requires the efforts of the entire campaign team and the financial backers behind the scenes.

　Obviously, the campaign team and the financiers behind the scenes cannot do voluntary work for the presidential candidate for free.

　Whenever an election is won, it is time to reward people based on their achievements.

　The positions of ministers in the White House cabinet are the most coveted rewards.

　Therefore, when the new president wants to bring someone into the cabinet, he must first consider the distribution of interests in the political arena and satisfy the financial backers and party bosses behind the scenes.

　Then, if there are vacancies in the cabinet, the president will usually fill them with his family, relatives, and close friends to share in the good fortune.

　——Political spoils, nepotism, cronyism, family rule… This did not start with Trump, the King of Understanding, but has always been the case.

　However, as a very thoughtful and alternative president, Mr. Kennedy's ideas on cabinet formation were also unique.

　On the day after his victory, the entire campaign committee celebrated and waited to divide up the cabinet positions. However, Mr. John Kennedy announced that he would not use any cabinet positions as a reward for helping his campaign.

　This is not because he is ungrateful, but because "the best governing team should be one that is not bound by political obligations or campaign promises."

　So, Kennedy announced that he would form an "open cabinet," setting aside his previous social circle and selecting elites from across the country.

　So, the day after he was elected president, Kennedy launched a nationwide recruitment drive. He studied the work and resumes of dozens of people, sent his confidants to review the information, personally called them, and had them come to his office for interviews.

　——Well, in ancient China, this is roughly equivalent to the "Palace Examination" before the emperor. It may even be of a higher level.

　After all, even if you are the top scorer in the imperial examination, you can't be promoted to the highest official rank and become the Minister of War or the Prime Minister of the Cabinet right after passing the exam!

　But as long as you pass Kennedy's interview, you can really soar to the sky!

　In this way, Kennedy resisted the pressure from the party bosses to share the spoils, spent more than a month screening, assessing and considering, and finally eliminated those who could only talk big and were unworthy of the title from a bunch of candidates, stuffed the remaining elites into the ruling team, and set up a "talent cabinet."

　Kennedy said: "I am not impressed by the wealth of the rich, nor am I frightened by the foresight of the wise.

　In my cabinet, there are no senior politicians with national influence, no political factions to appease.

　There are no personnel arrangements for certain interest groups, and no returns for political donations - I will never cater to people's preferences in personnel arrangements, but only care about whether these people are competent!

　There are no factions in my cabinet, no cliques or conspiracies, everyone is dedicated to serving the broader public interest!"

　Well, since Kennedy boasted so much about his "Cabinet of Talents," what exactly was his star-studded lineup?

　First, although the White House cabinet has more than a dozen positions, there are only four core cabinet positions:

　the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the Treasury.

　They correspond to the US military, law, diplomacy and finance respectively.

　As for the other cabinet members, strictly speaking, they are just icing on the cake, and even if they mess up, it won't cause any big trouble.

　Among them, President John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother Robert Kennedy as Attorney General.

　- Although he was overshadowed by his brother in history, Robert Kennedy was by no means a mediocre person and was worthy of the position of Attorney General.

　In the early 1950s, Robert Kennedy served as a legal advisor to McCarthy, gaining considerable experience. After McCarthy's downfall, Kennedy remained steadfast in his anti-Soviet and anti-communist stance, but his thinking gradually shifted to the left, pursuing progressive ideas and affirmative action reforms.

　Wait, how can being anti-Soviet and anti-communist be left-leaning?

　This so-called "the left is infinitely divisible" does not mean that all leftists have a favorable impression of the Soviet system!

　Robert Kennedy not only supported the civil rights movement, but also had a friendship with black leader Martin Luther King, so he should naturally be considered a leftist.

　In the last few years of the 1950s, Robert Kennedy, as legal adviser, successfully reversed the work direction of several committees left by McCarthy, shifting the focus from purging Bolsheviks to combating various criminal organizations and eliminating evil in the United States.

　At that time, extreme right-wing forces accused Robert Kennedy of being "collaborative with the Communist Party" for his focus on fighting crime. He immediately retorted that the McCarthy movement had been going on in the United States for more than ten years. Even if there were many Soviet spies in the country, they should have been almost all eliminated by now.

　Compared to the Soviet spies who are hiding somewhere unknown, American citizens hate the criminal organizations and evil forces that can be seen everywhere!

　Soviet spies might not be able to commit a major incident in a year, but criminal gangs are killing and robbing and oppressing good people in the United States every day!

　Fighting crime always wins the hearts of the people, especially as he focuses on investigating mafia families that extort and blackmail workers.

　Therefore, Robert's reputation among the American people at this time was not much worse than that of his brother.

　Some people praised these two political brothers who advocated for reform and progress and promoted the American civil rights movement, and compared them to the Gracchus brothers of the ancient Roman Republic. Unfortunately, this prophecy came true, and the fate of the Kennedy brothers was exactly the same as that of the Gracchus brothers.

　(The Gracchus brothers were famous reformers and civil rights activists in the late Roman Republic. They were assassinated one after another because they offended the powerful.)

　Next, the Secretary of Defense position went to Robert McNamara. Although he was no unknown figure, he didn't look like someone who could lead troops. He was a child prodigy who had always topped his math class, had been the youngest professor at Harvard Business School, and was now the first non-Ford CEO of Ford Motor Company. He was a true business expert, and Ford Motor Company thrived under McNamara's management.

　When Ford's car sales were sluggish, McNamara pointed out that the problem was the design of the models. He said that the male market had been fully developed, and that they needed to focus on the female market and develop the "she economy." A housewife didn't need to drive a two-ton truck to go shopping.

　So, under McNamara's leadership, Ford launched a series of slim-down models for female drivers, which really opened up sales.

　But the question is, are Ford and the Pentagon the same thing? Can someone who manages a car company manage the Department of Defense?

　In the eyes of ordinary people, the gap between the positions of President of Ford Motor Company and Secretary of Defense is too big and they cannot be related at all.

　Although the Ford president did have military experience—during World War II, McNamara served in the U.S. Air Force for a while and was awarded a medal—unlike George H.W. Bush, who flew fighter planes and fought the Japanese, McNamara had never flown a plane or fought in a real war. Instead, he worked on the ground in the rear, checking warehouse accounts and formulating airlift plans—in other words, doing accounting work.

　To be honest, even letting Iron Man be the Secretary of Defense would make more sense than using McNamara. At least Iron Man can really fight.

　Anyway, when talking about Secretary of Defense McNamara, the only thing that comes to Ferry's mind is "Forrest Gump" and "McNamara's Fool".

　——It was this "great clever man" who later threw 100,000 mentally retarded and disabled people into the Vietnam battlefield, causing countless hellish jokes.

　I wonder why President Kennedy thought he could lead the army? Was it because he was good at business?

　Successive Japanese Prime Ministers have never thought that Konosuke Matsushita is suitable to be the Director-General of the Defense Agency and that he can manage the Self-Defense Forces well!

　Then, Kennedy chose Dean Rusk as Secretary of State. Although he was a senior politician and had been in the White House during the time of President Truman, he was not only a Republican, but also had no special talents.

　Eye-catching achievements.

　If we have to say what Dean Rusk is famous for in history, it is probably that he has a nickname called "Father of the 38th Parallel".

　——The 7th parallel north, which divides the Korean Peninsula into two and caused countless blood and tears, was drawn by Rusk, then a colonel in the Army General Staff, in just half an hour on July 10, 1945, using a map of Korea from National Geographic Magazine.

　But it’s hard to say whether this is a good reputation or a bad reputation!

　However, Dr. Brzezinski is a good friend of Dean Rusk. Perhaps Secretary Rusk could consult him on foreign policy issues?

　Finally, there was Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillon, a man of considerable connections and ability. A childhood friend of the three Rockefeller brothers, he held considerable influence among Wall Street bankers. A former ambassador to France and Assistant Secretary of State, he was praised by President Kennedy as "a man who could call certain Wall Street figures by their first names" and "a man who could help revive the nation's flagging economy."

　Kennedy's decision to appoint him as his Secretary of the Treasury can truly be considered a sign of his foresight in choosing the right person.