Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency

The Hughes Glomar Explorer was a CIA mission to retrieve a sunken Soviet submarine in 1974, featuring underwater espionage, impossible gadgetry, and high-stakes international drama. M. Todd Bennett's book Neither Confirm nor Deny explores the logistics, media fallout, and geopolitical significance of the operation, reframing the 1970s as a decade of tension between democracy and secrecy in foreign policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In 1974, the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a purported advanced deep-sea mining vessel owned by reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, descended a claw-like device to the floor of the Pacific Ocean. This high-tech venture served as a mere cover for an even more extraordinary scheme: a CIA mission to recover a sunken Soviet submarine. This captivating saga, reminiscent of a Jules Verne novel with an Ian Fleming twist, unfolds with underwater espionage, ingenious gadgets, and high-stakes international drama. Moreover, it represents a significant turning point in the history of transparency, particularly in the context of the renowned "Glomar response": "We can neither confirm nor deny. . . ."

To delve into the depths of government secrecy, M. Todd Bennett presents a fresh perspective on the Glomar mission and its far-reaching consequences. By meticulously sifting through recently declassified documents, Bennett uncovers the intricate logistics, media fallout, and geopolitical significance of this audacious operation in the annals of intelligence history. He argues that Glomar played a pivotal yet underappreciated role in assisting the CIA in navigating the demands for transparency and accountability amidst a push for greater openness in the 1970s. By reinterpreting the historical narrative of the operations, Bennett offers an alternative viewpoint on the decade characterized by expansive openness, as well as the enduring tension between the demands of democracy and the necessity of secrecy in foreign policy.

In his captivating book, Neither Confirm nor Deny, Bennett combines meticulous historical analysis with engaging storytelling, unveiling fresh insights into the history of the security state, the politics of intelligence, and the CIA's relationship with the media and the public. Through his meticulous research and compelling narrative, Bennett invites readers to explore the complexities and paradoxes of a world where secrecy and transparency coexist, shaping the course of history and shaping our understanding of the world today.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231193474