American Strategic Deception Bureau

　What the hell is the FBI's censorship department doing that they allow such groundbreaking news to appear in the newspapers?

　On his way back home, Dr. Kissinger once complained about this. But on reflection, it seems that the FBI's work attitude cannot be blamed.

　After all, the FBI had been in a state of chaos since the civil war broke out last year. Several directors had died in mysterious circumstances, and a large number of senior executives had either defected, disappeared, been executed, or been imprisoned... As for the people below them, they were also at a loss as to what to do.

　Even now, the FBI cannot say that it has fully returned to normal, it can only be said that it is "pretending to resume operations."

　Moreover, the FBI used to be able to issue orders with great arrogance across the country, but now, local governments may not necessarily buy into the FBI's policies.

　——Strictly speaking, the current Nixon administration should be considered an illegal government, so the FBI has naturally become an illegal department.

　Whether local police departments in various states and counties should give face to the FBI is a matter of personal conviction.

　If the FBI really encounters a disobedient local department, there is nothing it can do.

　Therefore, as long as the intelligence is leaked, Washington, whose authority has been greatly damaged, will have no way to prevent the people of the country from knowing the truth.

　As for the reporters from the major American media outlets... well, they always insist on "not saying anything shocking".

　In order to get the news, they are willing to risk their lives. Where does their political awareness come from that allows them to consider the government's reputation in everything they do?

　The current news media is far from being tamed by capital and politics, and is still the "fourth estate" active in society!

　As for where the information was leaked from, there was no time to investigate. The most important thing was how to fill the hole!

　Fortunately, despite the above-mentioned accidents, the US military's West African offensive was still carried out step by step.

　The USS Kitty Hawk and USS Kennedy escorted the Army's 1st Division across the ocean to Liberia, an American-style republic established by African Americans. They served as the general reserve for the West African invasion and established a logistics base there.

　At the invitation of Ivorian President Boigny, the 101st Airborne Division also entered the Ivorian capital Abidjan to monitor the local French troops.

　In addition, the anti-government armed forces in Senegal and Gabon also launched rebellions with the support of the US military and CIA agents.

　Although the Senegalese rebels' offensive against Dakar was thwarted and they were completely defeated by the French Foreign Legion, the military coup in Gabon was successful. The pro-American rebels, with the help of CIA private soldiers and direct bombing by the US Navy Air Force, defeated the government forces and French mercenaries, killed the incumbent president, occupied the capital Libreville, and issued an expulsion order for the French troops stationed in Gabon.

　However, France still has a large number of troops stationed in Africa, and there are still a large number of pro-French black senior supporters in various parts of West Africa.

　At the same time, the French Navy's Foch aircraft carrier has also set sail from the port of Brest, taking a fleet south to the Gulf of Guinea.

　Finally, due to the failure of the military coup in Senegal, the local pro-American armed forces were defeated, allowing France to retain the important port of Dakar. The US military failed to cut off the external logistics lines of the French-speaking region of Africa in the first place and did not blockade France's bases in Africa inland.

　Dr. Kissinger was also worried about how the situation would develop next.

　Do we have to abandon the indigenous black gloves in Africa and let the Marines directly attack Dakar where the French troops are stationed, letting the US and French armies be stained with blood?

　Are the US Navy and the French Navy really going to fight a spectacular naval battle in the Gulf of Guinea?

　This is not a "terrorist attack" where scapegoats and excuses could be found before, but a blatant confrontation between two armies!

　Even if they really win, the so-called "unity of the liberal camp" will become a completely unfunny joke.

　Although the military strategy of launching a "special military operation against France" to seize the entire French-speaking African region from the Gallic rooster's claws was finalized, the Pentagon and the White House still wanted to avoid a full-scale war with the French army as much as possible, or at least avoid a large-scale confrontation.

　But want

　We have to rely on military threats, diplomatic intimidation and creating a favorable situation to force the French to swallow this bitter pill.

　It would be best if the United States and France could achieve a decent transfer of spheres of influence in Africa under the banner of "colonial liberation."

　But now that the military action has been exposed in advance by the news media, it seems very difficult for the United States to achieve this ultimate goal.

　Not only was France enraged, with calls for war, but global public opinion was also in uproar. European nations were accusing the United States of a despicable act of backstabbing its European friends. At the United Nations, faced with the indignant accusations of the French representative, the embarrassed Americans hastily tossed out the excuse of "helping Africa achieve national liberation" in an attempt to counter the onslaught of international criticism, but the effect was largely negligible.

　——The red countries on the other side of the Iron Curtain are still full of sarcasm and ridicule, while the "free countries" on this side of the Iron Curtain are even more hysterical and cursing.

　Apart from France, which suffered the most, the rest of the European countries also felt a sense of grief, thinking that the United States as a leader was worse than no one - not only was it greedy and aggressive towards its own people, but it also hypocritically deceived the allies into going to the front line against the Soviet Union to serve as cannon fodder!

　However, the political system and class interests determined that it was impossible for these countries to embroider red flags and join the Soviet Union overnight, so they could only feel helpless and furious.

　At the same time, the already chaotic United States is now in turmoil, anger is surging, and protests are everywhere.

　As the taxi slowly crawled through the crowded streets of Washington, D.C., Dr. Kissinger saw the streets crowded with protesters shouting anti-war slogans. Among them were not only energetic college students but also a large number of unemployed people with nothing to do.

　Many bankrupt white-collar workers and unemployed workers who had just been thrown onto the streets were now waving their fists in anger and roaring their accusations.

　After all, on one hand, there is an economic crisis that is causing widespread misery and the decline of all industries, and on the other hand, there is a crazy government that is still ready to fight regardless of people's livelihood. At this time, the American people are already extremely tired of war, and the anger in their chests is really like a volcanic eruption!

　In addition, the Democratic Party, which has suffered repeated heavy blows since President Nixon took office, has also been secretly working to connect with various civil groups, raise funds and materials for them, or provide various conveniences, just to create momentum and make things difficult for the Nixon administration.

　According to the description on the radio, unprecedented protests are now taking place not only in the capital Washington, but also in more than 50 cities across the United States, including New York, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The protests are demanding that the government immediately withdraw its troops from Africa, stop this "shameful and unjust" overseas war, and focus on saving the domestic economy.

　Although the White House declared a state of emergency in cities across the country as usual, it was unable to curb the anti-war movement that had already formed a wave.

　Hey, isn't the reason why the White House is stabbing France in the back and launching this African offensive that is hitting its allies just to solve the current economic problems?

　If we cannot swallow up France's sphere of influence, destroy the franc's financial status, find more anchors and usage for the dollar, and open up a larger market for American goods, how can the current economic crisis end quickly? How can the disrupted production chain be restored?

　Dr. Kissinger, sitting in a taxi, sighed to himself - but he also knew that American political movements have always been like this. Organizers are full of enthusiasm but lack depth of thinking, often focusing too much on the surface of things and ignoring their most important essence.

　There is no way around it. American politicians have been trying to make citizens behave in a less intelligent way so that they can be fooled, manipulated and incited at any time.

　Next, after arriving near the White House, Kissinger got out of the car and looked at the huge crowds in front of him, and suddenly felt overwhelmed.

　At that moment, more than 10,000 people gathered outside the White House, holding various banners and burning a large portrait of President Nixon, strongly protesting the government's perfidy, its exploitative actions, and its warmongering disregard for the lives of the people. Non-governmental organizations and religious groups also took advantage of the chaos, inciting the public to hold various protests and demonstrations, plundering Washington.

　Dr. Kissinger struggled to move his fat body, squeezed through the crowd and sweated all over, leaving countless shoe prints on his feet and trouser legs. He finally reached the heavily guarded White House entrance checkpoint, and after a lot of questioning and a thorough body search, he was allowed in.

　Looking at the White House's desperate situation, Dr. Kissinger felt that President Nixon must be facing a disaster. He was facing a devastating economic crisis, a wave of opposition both domestically and internationally, and a dilemma in his African strategy.

　If the responsibility for the economic crisis could be shifted to previous presidents, then other events were directly related to President Nixon's decisions. If the African invasion had failed like the Vietnam War, Dr. Kissinger could imagine what would have happened to the president.

　Impeachment, resignation, Supreme Court hearings... Kissinger really didn't dare to think about it anymore, and even seriously considered changing his boss.

　However, when Dr. Kissinger took the elevator into the heavily guarded White House bunker and met President Nixon in the Strategic Intelligence Room, he found that the President still had a very calm and relaxed expression, as if he had no idea what had happened in the outside world.

　Next, for Kissinger

　President Nixon magnanimously expressed understanding for the failure of his first diplomatic mission to Sweden, saying it was not his fault but a trick of fate and that he should not be blamed. Dr. Kissinger then took the opportunity to recount the terrible things he had seen and heard on his way home, and expressed the hope that the president would recognize the urgency and severity of the current situation. Then, he received an unexpected response.

　"Thank you for your concern, but this is no longer an issue," President Nixon said. "The French have just surrendered to us."

　Kissinger: ? ?

　Chapter 600: The Gallic Roosters Always Raise the White Flag (Part 2)

　Elysee Palace, the presidential palace in Paris, France

　In a luxuriously decorated conference room, high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the French Fifth Republic gathered together, but everyone looked grim, as if they had lost their parents.

　There was a smell of despair in the air, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was almost suffocating.

　"So, the Americans have us in their sights? Ahem, what should we do now?"

　French President Pompidou, his face livid, reached into his pocket, pulled out a small medicine bottle, poured two pills into his palm, tilted his head back and swallowed them. Only after catching his breath did he say gloomily, "After withdrawing from Asia, is the great France going to withdraw from Africa again?"

　The only answer he got was an awkward silence.

　Despite being tipped off by the New York Times and the Washington Post about the US military's upcoming military action in Africa, France was unable to prevent the rapid collapse of its colonial power in Africa.

　At present, President Boigny of Côte d'Ivoire has changed sides and invited the US 101st Airborne Division to deploy; in Gabon, the situation changed overnight, with pro-US armed forces supported by the CIA taking control of the capital, Libreville, and the US Marines followed suit, paralyzing one of France's core strongholds in the Gulf of Guinea.

　Although the French Foreign Legion was urgently dispatched from Fort Lamy in Chad and flew a long westward expedition, successfully defeating the pro-American armed rebellion in Senegal and defending the Senegalese capital, Dakar, a good port facing the Atlantic Ocean, the overall situation was still in a state of devastating defeat.

　For example, as soon as the French Foreign Legion left Chad to support Dakar, the Arab nomadic rebels in northern Chad immediately marched south in large numbers, with Libya's Gaddafi taking advantage of the situation. Libya, which had long supported the Chadian rebels in the north out of brotherhood among Arabs, this time simply sent troops to march south with the rebels, and together they defeated Chad's President Tombalbaye and made him flee in panic.

　Now, the rebels and the Libyan army have fought their way through the vast desert and reached the outskirts of Fort Rami (N'Djamena). The Chadian government forces, like a muddy mess, have basically collapsed. They have only been able to withstand the enemy's fierce offensive thanks to the 1500 French troops and 2000 presidential guards who are still capable of fighting left there.

　But the Tombalbaye government is already in a state of panic, morale is low, and high-ranking officials are scrambling to flee. It is unlikely to last long in the capital.

　If the main force of the French army does not return to Chad, Tombalbaye will go into exile abroad, allowing Gaddafi to establish an anti-French government in Chad.

　But it was impossible to get the French Foreign Legion to come back to Chad to help. The fighting in Dakar had only died down, and although the pro-American rebels in Senegal had been repelled, they still had strength, and the US military had a generous supply of weapons and ammunition. With just a little rest, they could quickly make a comeback!

　What's more, the next time Dakar is besieged, there will probably be black American soldiers mixed in with the rebels and directly participate in the battle.

　The Senegalese comprador government's useless army, which was fed up with empty salaries, would not have been able to hold Dakar without the French army.

　What? Asking the French troops stationed in Africa to manage both Fort Lamy and Dakar? That's simply impossible!

　France has only 50,000 troops stationed in Africa, of which more than 30,000 are "office soldiers" who are completely incapable of fighting. The actual combat personnel are less than 20,000. After deducting the minimum garrison strength of each base, the field troops that can be withdrawn for mobile operations at any time are actually only 5,000 to 6,000 people.

　With such a small force, they can only handle a moderately intense battle in one area at best. If the enemy increases the intensity or multiple fires start...

　Then, the French troops in Africa would soon be overwhelmed and unable to focus on all aspects.

　What's more, even if Chad in the east and Senegal in the west are stabilized, there are still tens of thousands of Americans in the south who are eyeing them covetously!

　This situation is as hopeless as it can be!

　Generally speaking, when faced with such a critical situation where the front line is crumbling, the first reaction of a normal country is to send troops to reinforce.

　French President Pompidou also thought so, but the problem is...

　"Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, have any of these countries agreed to open their airspace to us?"

　He looked at the Foreign Minister expectantly, but the Foreign Minister shook his head gloomily. "I'm sorry, Egypt and all the North African countries have refused to open their airspace to us. They also said that if the French transport planes intrude into their airspace without permission, they will be shot down by their air defense forces!"

　——Today, between mainland France and French-speaking Africa, there is not only the vast Mediterranean Sea, but also the three North African countries known as the Maghreb and the world's largest Sahara Desert.

　If France wants to airlift troops from its homeland to West Africa for emergency assistance, the transport aircraft must inevitably pass through the airspace of North African countries.

　However, Algeria, which had been independent for only ten years, could

　The French killed so many people and shed so much blood that the scars haven't healed yet. The whole country hates the French colonizers so much that it's a deep hatred. How could they possibly give France any convenience?

　Libya was once oscillating between Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union. But now, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has personally led his troops south to Chad, and he must eliminate the French garrison at Fort Lamy (N'Djamena). He will certainly close the airspace to prevent the French from causing trouble for his troops.

　Next, Tunisia and Morocco are not so anti-French and have not participated in the "French Hunt" operation organized by the United States.

　However, Tunisia is a small country, and even after passing through its airspace, French transport planes would have to pass through Algeria or Libya to reach their destination. Morocco, fearing the United States and unwilling to undermine "Arab unity," also refused to open its airspace to France.

　As a result, French reinforcements had no choice but to board ships from Marseille or Toulon to land in Dakar, then travel another 3,000 kilometers eastward to reach the Chadian front, where the fighting was raging.

　Three thousand kilometers! And along the way, there are almost no people living in the desert and Gobi!

　Maintaining such a long land supply line without the availability of railways and high-grade roads is really crazy just thinking about it!

　Moreover, the US Navy posed a threat throughout the entire sea voyage, and even on land, the US Air Force could "accidentally bomb" them at any time.

　Finally, even if the war in Chad were won, what would that mean? Three powerful US aircraft carrier battle groups are deployed in the Gulf of Guinea, 40,000 US troops are gradually landing, and the Pentagon has already announced the establishment of the "US Africa Force." It seems unlikely that they will retreat easily.

　The French army is already struggling just fighting the US-backed rebels. If the US military were to take the field themselves, wouldn't they be completely routed?

　Although as a countermeasure, the French Navy has urgently weighed anchor and sailed out of the port and headed for the West African waters to confront the US fleet.

　But everyone in the French army knew that this was just a gesture, a pretense, and a show of toughness.

　If the US Navy insists on its African invasion strategy, the French fleet will probably have no choice but to retreat.

　The French Navy currently has only two conventional aircraft carriers, the Clemenceau and the Foch (the future nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle doesn't even exist yet). The Clemenceau is still undergoing major repairs at the shipyard, leaving only the Foch capable of sailing.

　In contrast, the US Navy that has now entered the waters of West Africa has three aircraft carrier battle groups. If a conflict really breaks out, it will be three against one...

　No, it was actually four American aircraft carriers attacking one French aircraft carrier!

　Because, in Naples in southern Italy, there is an aircraft carrier and more than a dozen other combat ships of the US Mediterranean Fleet stationed!

　In short, according to the military's analysis, if a war for Africa breaks out with the United States, the military strength of the two countries will be greatly disparate.

　Faced with the aggressive US military and the African rebels rising up behind them, the French army, with its small number of soldiers and generals, was almost doomed to defeat in Africa, and even after the defeat it would not receive sympathy from international public opinion - because opposing colonialism is absolutely politically correct in the current international community.

　In the second half of the 20th century, France still wanted to maintain its colonial power in Africa, which was not popular with the indigenous Africans and was politically incorrect internationally. It is no exaggeration to say that it was a sin of the past. How could it possibly win broad support from the international community?

　But if France retreats without a fight and loses its sphere of influence in Africa, the consequences will be serious - the circulation of the franc will be greatly reduced, and the French Fifth Republic will completely lose the support of its former colonial countries. The franc will instantly become extremely weak, leading to a domestic economic avalanche and financial crisis.

　All the benefits France had previously gained by taking advantage of the turmoil in the United States and the weakness of the dollar will have to be paid back with interest, and it will have to cut off an extra large piece of meat and will not be able to stand up in front of foreigners. From then on, the morale of the people is doomed to be hit, and any dream of becoming a great power will be shattered.

　Finally, whether they fled after being defeated in Africa or retreated without fighting, the self-respecting citizens of Paris would certainly take to the streets to protest. This has been a characteristic of France since the late Middle Ages, and any French government operating in Paris must do so.

　But which French president would want to suffer such an inglorious end?

　Let’s not talk about the Paris Commune and the Revolution of 1848. How many years has it been since the Fourth Republic was overthrown by a military coup?

　This is really puzzling. We dare not fight, and we dare not retreat. We are not right to cry and complain. It seems that no matter what decision we make, it is wrong.

　Just when the Elysee Palace was hesitating and unable to make a decision, new bad news came from the French-speaking part of Africa - a military coup took place in Cotonou, the capital of the Republic of Dahomey (renamed Benin in 1975), the former slave coast. Major Mathieu Kérékou, commander of the airborne forces, led the First Paratrooper Column (abbreviated as the First Airborne Column) into the presidential palace, dissolved the government and cabinet by force, and threw three bigwigs of the presidential council into prison.

　——Other countries have a corrupt president, which is enough for the people to bear. However, Dahomey is different. There are three big men in the political circle who are unwilling to give in to each other. In the end, the three of them set up a presidential committee. The three of them served as presidents and shared power. They embezzled the people's money together and turned Dahomey, which was once known for producing "

　The country famous for its "Daho Beauty Warriors" was turned into a "Three Days in the Sky", which made the people suffer terribly.

　A poor African country like this can't even support one tyrant, let alone three tyrants?

　Therefore, when Major Kerekou led a group of young officers to command the "One Air Loss" to storm the presidential palace, overthrow the civilian government, and establish a military government, the local people did not see it as "military rule." Instead, it was a happy event, and the streets were filled with cheers and applause.

　Then, although Major Kérékou was not pro-American but a "socialist" waving a red flag, and had declared upon taking office that he would pursue a "socialist path of development" in Dahomey (Benin), the new government certainly disliked the French more than the Americans, who had never been there.

　Therefore, Major Kérékou's red military government immediately cut ties with French colonial forces, announced the cessation of the use of the CFA franc, dismissed French advisers in the government, demanded that French banks return the financial reserves of the Republic of Dahomey, and ordered the French troops to withdraw from their territory.