ABSTRACT
In the field of overseas political action the Soviet regime has the greatest advantage over the US government, for it has been dedicated to global political action since its inception. The earliest political action operation s after the founding of Office of Policy Coordination were strictly benign. CIA's political action under President Truman was designed to strengthen the European political structure. Substantial funds were secretly delivered to various political leaders both to assist them in strengthening their party organizations and to increase their election funds. Up to the mid-fifties most Latin American countries, with the conspicuous exception of Guatemala, were looked upon by Washington as good neighbors. The political scene of the postwar world has been highlighted by hundreds of coups, or changes in government by force, mainly in the Near East, Africa, and Latin America. In most cases these have been the outcome of strictly domestic political, social, or racial rivalries.
