Central Intelligence: Series 3: Episode 10
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What political crisis sets the stage for the episode’s CIA intrigue?
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We agreed that the goods will remain in stock. Calm down, it's Pirkka. Pirkka.
K-Ruokakaupoista. Jo 40 vuotta. This
episode contains very strong language.
Good evening. The federal investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election has dominated Donald Trump's presidency.
The Logan Act forbids a U.S. citizen from interfering with the diplomatic negotiations of the U.S. government. In the last hundred years, it could have led to two prosecutions.
His former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, became the
first... The most recent was against Michael Flynn in 2016.
Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his dealings with Russians last December, before Mr. Trump took office. But the
occasion before that was in 1968. And the people who could have been charged then were a Chinese-American widow called Anna Chenault, and no less than the Republican candidate for president, Richard Nixon, whose actions at the time contributed to thousands of U.S. servicemen losing their lives over the next four years.
I am Eloise Page, and you are listening to Central Intelligence. My life inside the CIA. The American nation. Opposed to the Vietnam. Cannot. Must not. Revolution in the Dominican.
And will not. The first heavy firing stop. Permit the establishment of another communist government.
Season 3, Episode 10. Good morning. How can I help? Anna Chenault, I have an appointment at 11 o'clock. Of course. And who is your appointment with? 1968 had already been a tumultuous year. If you'd like to wait here, please, Mrs. Chenault. They will be down in a minute. Thank you. You're welcome. By September, Bob McNamara had resigned as Secretary of Defense. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated. And President LBJ had announced he wouldn't run for re-election. America's next president would either be the incumbent vice president, Hubert Humphrey, or another former vice president, Richard Nixon. Humphrey was ahead, but the longer the Vietnam War dragged on, the closer the race was becoming.
Ah, Mrs. Chenault. Apologies for keeping you waiting. Not at all, Miss Page. A pleasure to see you again. And can I introduce Tom Karamasinas, our Deputy Director of Plans. Mrs. Chenault. A pleasure. And where's my friend, the Director? Mr. Helms? Otherwise engaged, unfortunately. Oh. Well, anyway, I'm glad you could see me. We can always find time for such a friend of the agency. It must be 10 years since Major General Chennault died?
Last
month, yes. I invited all his old friends... Anna Chennault had been married to American war hero Major General Lee Chennault, commander of the China-based Flying Tiger Fighter Squadron in World War II. After the war, he had stayed in China and started a cargo transport airline. But when China fell to the Communist Party, he had returned home and sold the airline to the CIA. You might remember it was the airline Frank Wisner bought in the early 1950s. Anyway, how can we help Mrs. Chenault? Well, actually, I was more wondering if I could help you. Help us. In the decades since Chenault's death, Anna had become a fixture in the Washington social scene and a vocal anti-communist. I'm traveling to Saigon where I will be spending some time with President Chu of South Vietnam.
And given the peace talks in Paris are about to restart, I thought perhaps there might be a message or opinion I could reinforce.
Hmm.
How does the CIA’s internal meeting reveal fears about Nixon’s back‑channel tactics?
Well, that's a very kind offer. Or, on the other hand, if you or President LBJ want to know what President Chu is really thinking, I might be able to help in that capacity as well. Again, Mrs. Chenault, very kind. And if we do need outside assistance, I'm sure we'll be in contact. But at the moment, we're fine. Well, the offer's always there. If I can be
useful. Yes, indeed, Mrs. Chenault. We understand.
Thank you for dropping by, though. You're always welcome. Have a good trip. Well, thank you. Both. Well, she likes to put herself in the action. And if we had accepted the offer, I'm sure we'd now be writing a check to cover the cost of her flight.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What political crisis sets the stage for the episode’s CIA intrigue?
0:00–5:13
2
How does the CIA’s internal meeting reveal fears about Nixon’s back‑channel tactics?
5:13–9:43
3
What role does Anna Chennault play in the secret communications with South Vietnam?
9:43–14:06
4
How do the Paris peace talks negotiations unfold and why are they critical?
14:06–20:24
5
Why does President LBJ decide to halt all bombing of North Vietnam?
20:24–26:52
6
What is the significance of the recorded phone calls between LBJ, Nixon and CIA operatives?
26:52–32:23
7
How does the episode portray the election‑year pressure on the peace process?
32:23–36:12
8
What are the long‑term consequences of the CIA’s actions for the Vietnam War?
36:12–36:19