The CIA’s Secret War in Vietnam and the Global Media Cover-Up
By Silence Dogood
Introduction
The Vietnam War remains one of the most controversial and politically devastating conflicts in modern history. While the official narrative portrays it as a misguided attempt to contain communist expansion, newly declassified files confirm that the CIA was heavily involved in shaping Vietnam’s political trajectory long before American troops arrived.
What began as intelligence gathering rapidly evolved into psychological warfare, political manipulation, and covert paramilitary operations—all without full presidential oversight. The agency’s direct involvement in the assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem in 1963, just weeks before John F. Kennedy’s assassination, reflects the CIA’s growing independence from both the White House and the Pentagon.
Newly released files also reveal that after JFK’s death, the CIA actively worked to manipulate media coverage of the war, embedding operatives within major news networks and newspapers to control the narrative. This article explores the CIA’s hidden hand in Vietnam and how it shaped public perception through one of the most aggressive information control campaigns in U.S. history.
The CIA in Vietnam – From Intelligence to Regime Change
CIA involvement in Vietnam dates back to the late 1940s, when the agency began working with the French government to counter communist forces in Indochina. But by the late 1950s, the agency had shifted from supporting French intelligence to establishing a direct foothold in South Vietnam.
The Rise of Ngo Dinh Diem
In 1954, the CIA helped install Ngo Dinh Diem as the leader of South Vietnam. Files from a September 12, 1954 memorandum (File 202-10001-10203) confirm that the CIA coordinated with the French government and Catholic Church to position Diem as a “reliable pro-Western figure” to counter communist influence:
“The Agency has directed resources toward establishing the Diem government’s political credibility through financial aid, propaganda support, and strategic partnerships with military leadership.”CIA Control Over South Vietnam’s Military
By the early 1960s, the CIA was not just gathering intelligence—it was actively directing South Vietnam’s military strategy. A declassified July 16, 1962 report (File 202-10001-10219) reveals that the CIA was training over 43,000 irregular troops to conduct counterinsurgency operations in North and South Vietnam:
“The Agency has established multiple training sites in the Central Highlands. Indigenous tribes are being trained in sabotage, infiltration, and intelligence gathering.”The report confirms that CIA trainers were embedded in South Vietnamese military units, working under the guise of “civilian advisors.”
The Diem Problem – A Controlled Leader Becomes a Liability
Diem’s growing authoritarianism and religious favoritism alienated large portions of the Vietnamese population. His persecution of Buddhist monks led to massive protests in 1963, including the infamous self-immolation of Thích Quảng Đức on June 11, 1963.
JFK’s frustration with Diem’s regime is well-documented. A November 21–22, 1963 PFIAB meeting (File 206-10001-10003) reveals that Kennedy expressed his dissatisfaction with the CIA’s handling of Diem’s government:
“The President indicated that the Agency’s support for the Diem regime was becoming unsustainable. He suggested that a change in leadership may be necessary for long-term stability.”The CIA-Backed Coup
The decision to remove Diem was made at the highest levels of the CIA. Files from a Special Group meeting on October 31, 1963 (File 206-10001-10000) confirm that CIA officers supported a coup led by South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh:
“Financial and logistical support has been provided to General Minh’s faction within the ARVN [Army of the Republic of Vietnam]. Contingency planning is in place for securing U.S. assets post-coup.”On November 2, 1963, Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, were assassinated by ARVN officers with direct CIA backing.
Kennedy was reportedly outraged when he learned of Diem’s death. A November 21, 1963 memo confirms that Kennedy had not authorized the assassination—he had approved Diem’s removal but expected him to be offered exile.
The CIA’s Influence Over the Vietnam War Strategy
Following Diem’s assassination, the CIA’s control over South Vietnam increased. Files from a December 12, 1963 briefing (File 198-10009-10099) reveal that the CIA controlled:
The appointment of key military and political officials.
Distribution of U.S. military aid.
Psychological warfare campaigns aimed at undermining the Viet Cong’s morale.
“The Agency has directed additional resources toward strengthening military leadership in Saigon. Direct U.S. support will be expanded under the new administration.”The Media Cover-Up – Controlling the Narrative
After Kennedy’s assassination, the CIA engaged in a sophisticated effort to shape public perception of the Vietnam War.
Operation Mockingbird in Full Swing
A declassified memo from a March 5, 1964 meeting (File 206-10001-10004) reveals that the CIA maintained direct contact with:
The New York Times
Washington Post
CBS and NBC
“The Agency maintains direct relationships with senior editorial staff. Media content related to Southeast Asia is being monitored and adjusted as necessary to reflect current operational priorities.”CIA operatives within these media organizations actively:
Suppressed reports of civilian casualties.
Downplayed the scale of U.S. military failures.
Promoted the idea that victory in Vietnam was achievable through increased military engagement.
Planting False Narratives
In addition to suppressing negative news, the CIA planted positive stories about the U.S. military’s success in Vietnam.
A May 22, 1964 report (File 206-10001-10002) confirms that the CIA produced and distributed:
Fake battlefield reports.
Falsified casualty figures.
Inflated Viet Cong death tolls.
“Propaganda units have been tasked with enhancing battlefield morale through targeted reporting. Negative coverage is to be contained at the editorial level.”Shaping the Narrative After JFK’s Death
Following JFK’s assassination, the CIA worked aggressively to prevent media coverage that suggested his death was linked to CIA operations in Vietnam or Cuba. A March 4, 1964 memo (File 206-10001-10007) confirms that the CIA pressured the Warren Commission to avoid investigating Oswald’s contacts with CIA-backed anti-Castro groups:
“It is in the interest of national security that the Commission focus on the lone gunman theory. Alternative explanations will undermine confidence in the government’s ability to provide stability.”Conclusion: The CIA’s War in Vietnam and the Death of JFK
The CIA’s involvement in Vietnam went far beyond intelligence gathering. It orchestrated the rise and fall of South Vietnam’s leadership, directed military strategy, and controlled public perception of the war.
Kennedy’s resistance to expanding U.S. involvement in Vietnam and his anger over the CIA-backed coup against Diem positioned him as a direct threat to the agency’s strategic ambitions. The files confirm that the CIA actively shaped the Warren Commission’s narrative to prevent scrutiny of its role in both the Vietnam conflict and JFK’s assassination.
The Vietnam War was not a failed military adventure—it was a covert intelligence war driven by a rogue agency that had outgrown presidential oversight.
The truth about JFK’s assassination lies not just in Dallas—but in the jungles of Vietnam.