October 4, 2004
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ARKIN ON CODE NAMES
In an audacious challenge to government secrecy policy, a forthcoming
new book by independent analyst William M. Arkin exposes and explains
thousands of code names of secret government programs and activities.
"From ABLE ALLY to ZODIAC BEAUCHAMP, this book identifies more than
3,000 code names and details the plans and missions for which they
stand."
The resulting compilation lays bare for the first time much of the
secret infrastructure of defense and intelligence today.
Arkin, who was once a military intelligence officer, is an extraordinarily
adept researcher with an enviable network of military and intelligence
contacts. Over the past two decades or so, he has repeatedly expanded
the boundaries of public knowledge on nuclear weapons and national
security policy.
His latest book, "Code Names," is perhaps the most concentrated
act of defiance of official secrecy policies since Howard Morland
wrote about "The H Bomb Secret" in The Progressive in 1979, drawing
a government injunction to block publication.
"Code Names: Deciphering U.S. Military Plans, Programs and Operations
in the 9/11 World" by William M. Arkin will be published in January
2005 by Steerforth (www.steerforth.com),
a small press that publishes big books of surprising diversity and
literary discernment. See: http://tinyurl.com/68ya3
© 2004, Federation of American Scientists.
All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not
necessarily reflect those of Military.com.
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