The CIA in Vietnam and the Cold War

After the OSS had developed into the CIA, the United States became involved with the war in Vietnam, eventually committing fully to the cause. In the Vietnam War, there was heavy emphasis on clandestine operations for many reasons. The enemy of the U.S., the Viet Cong, used hit and run tactics throughout the war, and secretly gained help from the Soviets. To help combat the situation, the CIA became involved. Agents acted as secret advisors, instructors, and even became involved more directly through assassinations and intelligence gathering. The Vietnam War helped move the U.S. and the Soviet Union into the Cold War. Here, there were no "battles" but nuclear warfare was a huge threat. Behind the scenes, both the KGB and the CIA worked hard to gain information on the other. Anything from missile defense to enemy insurgents, such as the many Soviet agents implanted in the United States at the time. It was spy vs spy with the highest of stakes. Espionage here continued until around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which the CIA was also heavily involved in. The Agency prepped foreigners for the failed invasion of Cuba and also attempted to overthrow and assassinate Fidel Castro. This was followed by an end to most hostilities, and the CIA and KGB essentially stopped advances and peace was restored.