Seeking a Second Opinion: Robert McNamara’s Distrust of the U.S. Intelligence Community During Operation Rolling Thunder

Abstract

Thomas A. Reinstein reexamines how military intelligence was evaluated and employed during the Vietnam War, especially by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Reinstein takes a relatively unexplored approach by delving into the Secretary’s personal policy predilections and efforts to retain cabinet influence as factors determining his use of intelligence reports. These considerations guided his changing positions on the bombing campaign known as Rolling Thunder. The article’s focus on personal considerations in policy making adds complexity to our views of decision making but also raises very serious concerns about the flawed nature of those processes and the dangers of miscalculation at the highest levels of government.

Keywords

• Vietnam War
• Rolling Thunder
• Robert McNamara
• Lyndon Johnson
• bombing