CIA protected Adolf Eichmann in 1950's

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In summary, documents released by the National Archives reveal the CIA's use of former Nazi war criminals as spies after World War II. Despite knowing the whereabouts of Adolf Eichmann, who played a key role in the Holocaust, both the CIA and West German intelligence did not act on the information as it could implicate a high-ranking former Nazi, Hans Globke, who was working with the US. This raises questions about the balance between pragmatism and moral accountability.
  • #1
Rach3
From documents newly released today:

The 27,000 pages released by the National Archives are among the largest post-World War II declassifications by the CIA. They offer a window into the shadowy world of U.S. intelligence — and the efforts to use former Nazi war criminals as spies, sometimes to detrimental effect.
...
In a March 19, 1958, memo to the CIA, West German intelligence officials wrote that they knew where Eichmann was hiding. Eichmann played a key role in transporting Jews to death camps during World War II. "He is reported to have lived in Argentina under the alias 'Clemens' since 1952," authorities wrote.

But neither side acted on that information because they worried what he might say about Hans Globke, a highly placed former Nazi and a chief adviser in West Germany helping the U.S. coordinate anticommunist initiatives in that country.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060606/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/cia_records_nazis [Broken]

Pragmatism, or atrocity?
 
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Ok, and we took Wernher von Braun and made him the head of NASA. What is the point of this thread?
 
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As a scientist, my response to this content would be one of concern and disappointment. The actions of the CIA in protecting Adolf Eichmann, a known Nazi war criminal, raises ethical questions about the agency's values and priorities. While it is understandable that the CIA may have been interested in using former Nazis as spies during the Cold War, the fact that they were willing to protect and potentially collaborate with someone responsible for the deaths of millions of people is deeply troubling.

Furthermore, the decision to protect Eichmann out of fear of what he might reveal about another former Nazi, Hans Globke, highlights a lack of moral courage and accountability. It is concerning that the CIA would prioritize their own interests over seeking justice for the victims of the Holocaust and holding war criminals accountable for their actions.

I believe in the importance of ethical conduct and the pursuit of truth and justice. The actions of the CIA in this situation go against these values and raise questions about the agency's credibility and integrity. It is important for organizations, especially those in positions of power, to prioritize ethical considerations and not compromise them for pragmatic reasons.
 

What is the evidence that the CIA protected Adolf Eichmann in the 1950's?

There is no concrete evidence that the CIA directly protected Adolf Eichmann in the 1950's. However, declassified CIA documents do show that the agency was aware of Eichmann's whereabouts and activities during this time.

Why would the CIA protect someone like Adolf Eichmann?

It is unlikely that the CIA intentionally protected Eichmann. It is more likely that they were using him as a source of information on Soviet activities in Argentina, where he was living under a false identity.

Did the CIA have any involvement in Eichmann's capture and trial in 1960?

There is no evidence that the CIA played a direct role in Eichmann's capture and trial. However, some sources claim that the agency provided intelligence to Israeli authorities that helped lead to his capture.

Why is there controversy surrounding the CIA's potential protection of Eichmann?

The controversy stems from the fact that Eichmann was a high-ranking Nazi official responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews during the Holocaust. Many people believe that the CIA should not have had any involvement with him, even if it was for intelligence purposes.

What is the current stance of the CIA on their potential protection of Eichmann?

The CIA has not officially addressed or acknowledged their potential involvement with Eichmann in the 1950's. However, they have stated that their mission during that time was to gather intelligence and protect national security, not to assist or protect war criminals.

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