Secrecy in US Foreign Policy: Nixon, Kissinger and the Rapprochement with China

Secrecy in US Foreign Policy examines the pursuit of strict secrecy by President Nixon and his National Security Advisor Kissinger in foreign policy decision making in relation to the US rapprochement with China. Moreover it sheds new light on the complexity and dynamism of the evolution of China initiatives and demonstrates the many policy options and perspectives among US officials.Dr Komine focuses on three major elements of the rapprochement:Conception - the presidential leadership, the revitalization of the National Security system and secrecy in bureaucratic rivalry.Implementation - the evolution of policy option studies and the private signal exchange.Direct Talks - the major security issues during behind-the-scene talks on Kissinger's trips to Beijing and Nixon's trip to China.Newly declassified materials help to identify key questions and highlight the dynamics of events. Original and compelling, this study is suited to courses on foreign policy analysis, Cold War history and East Asian studies.