Latest Podcast: the 'Secret War' in Laos

The U.S. Template for Proxy War

Pete Quiñones and I dove deep into the American war in Laos, often dubbed the ‘Secret War’ due to its covert nature, and the elements which parallel other proxy wars since, specifically the Ukraine.

This time the YT clip is a SHORT one - to see the entire presentation, support Pete’s show!

Spreaker

The resources I reference:

CIA Case Officer Vint Laurence’s documentary produced in 1966 for his boss William Colby, which was viewed by the Senate Arms Committee

Ted Yates of NBC produced the below video, posted in four parts, which is only viewable on YouTube. Note the armed 11 year old in the opening, at the Battle for Skyline Ridge above Long Cheng.

Other resources:

PAVN, History of the People's Army of Vietnam (1994)

Thomas Briggs, Cash On Delivery: CIA Special Operations During the Secret War in Laos

Kenneth Comboy

• Shadow War: The US Secret War in Laos

• War in Laos 1954-1975

• The Erawan War Vols I and II – The CIA Paramilitary Campaign In Laos

• Spies on the Mekong: CIA Clandestine Operations in Laos

Joshua Kurlantzick, A Great Place to Have a War: America in Laos and the Birth of the Military CIA

James Parker, Jr.

• Covert Ops

• The Battle For Skyline Ridge

Keith Quincy, Harvesting Pa Chay’s Wheat: The Hmong and America’s Secret War in Laos

Christopher Robbins, The Ravens: The Men Who Flew In America’s Secret War in Laos

Roger Warner, Shooting at the Moon: The Story of America’s Clandestine War in Laos

For my money, the best single book on the subject; sadly long out of print!

Dr. Charles Weldon, Jr., Tragedy in Paradise