DIRECTOR WILLIAM CASEY
THE HEAD OF THE CIA CONCOCTED AN ELABORATE SCHEME TO EMBROIL THE SOVIETS IN AFGHANISTAN
1913-87 USA
Having learned the deadly trade of a covert operative during WWII when he served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), secrecy and subterfuge remained permanent fixtures in Casey’s life. Having won his role as CIA Director for being a longtime Republican supporter, it was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that galvanized his most ambitious project. By 1982 the CIA had enlisted at least six partners, from petrol-rich Saudi Arabia to Communist China, in an elaborate geopolitical gamble: the CIA would funnel arms and money to the disorganised Afghan rebels with Pakistan taking care of the board and lodging. That is, the mujahideen and their jihadi allies had safe haven in cities like Peshawar and could direct their war close enough to the theatre.
Helping Casey along were other enthusiastic Americans such as Congressman Charlie Wilson, who used his influence to approve monetary support for the Afghan rebels. But these same covert operations became Casey’s undoing. A scandal over illicit money transfers being funnelled to right-wing Nicaraguan rebels, as well as other financial shenanigans, tarnished Casey’s name. He succumbed to a heart attack in 1987.