The Ugly Origins of the Cold War: How the US Played a Destabilizing Role

In the tumultuous aftermath of World War II, the United States, often regarded as a champion of global democracy and freedom, inadvertently played a significant role in the onset of the Cold War. This article delves into the early actions of the U.S. that have been criticized as contributing to the tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs, including the covert roles played by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the subsequent use of Operation Paperclip. This investigation seeks to shed light on the moral and strategic complexities of U.S. policies during this critical historical period.

From the Recognition of the Soviet Threat to Secret Deals

In 1943, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), which later became the CIA, began to identify the Soviet Union as the next major adversary. Chief of the OSS in Switzerland, Allen Dulles, later to become CIA Director, made a secret deal with Nazi intelligence officers. This agreement stipulated that if Germany was defeated, the U.S. would protect these individuals and they would assist in the fight against the Soviet Union.

Emergence of the Stay-Behind Network: A Hint of Future Instability

Simultaneously, the Germans were winding down their operations and leaving behind tens of thousands of troops and intelligence assets, known as the R-Netz or Stay-Behind Network. These assets belonged to the Sicherheitsdienst, Abwehr, and Fremde Heere Ost (Foreign Armies East). This network was under the command of Fremde Heere Ost and would later provide a foundation for destabilizing efforts in the Soviet Union.

The Transfer of Nazi Intelligence Officers: Operation Paperclip

In 1945, Operation Paperclip brought these intelligence officers and others to the United States and other safe places. This controversial operation not only allowed Nazi scientists and intelligence operatives to continue their work but also sowed the seeds for future unrest in Eastern Europe. The U.S. halted grain shipments to the Soviet Union, leading to the deaths of around 2 million Soviet citizens due to starvation, a stark example of how the U.S. repaid its wartime ally.

The Rise of German Intelligence: Organization Gehlen

Meanwhile, in 1945, General Gehlen of Fremde Heere Ost was brought back to Germany within the U.S. sector and established the Organization Gehlen, which later became the basis for the BND (Federal Intelligence Service). Under the guise of supporting post-war reconstruction, Gehlen maintained contact with the R-Netz, leading to the covert dropping of supplies and agents by British and U.S. aircraft behind the Iron Curtain. Four categories of items were primarily dropped: weapons, ammunition, explosives, medical supplies, food parcels, newspapers, and radio sets.

Project Wringer: A Strategic Nuclear Planning Dimension

Project Wringer, carried out under the auspices of the U.S. Air Force, involved interrogating released prisoners of war and individuals with knowledge of the Soviet Union to identify potential nuclear attack targets. The R-Netz agents were also to gather intelligence under this project. However, Project Wringer had a sinister underbelly: the R-Netz aimed to instigate revolts in the Baltic States, Ukraine, and the Caucasus to revive the hopes of a civil war within the Soviet Union.

Conclusion: The Tragic Legacy of the US Role

The actions of the United States, particularly through the OSS, Operation Paperclip, and post-war intelligence operations, demonstrated a deep-seated willingness to exploit the weaknesses of the Soviet Union, even when it involved backing former enemies directly. The destabilizing role of these individuals and their networks contributed significantly to the onset of the Cold War. This historical episode serves as a poignant reminder of the ethical and strategic dilemmas faced by nations during periods of transition and the far-reaching implications of their actions.