The “Future is Bright” Turned to Twilight. American Military Intelligence in the 20s
Dan ROMAN
Abstract. The US military intelligence underwent major changes in World War I, manifested by the start of a growing process – carried out under fire, and based, especially, on cooperation with its European allies. Traditionally, the American establishment did not pay much attention to military intelligence, which was activated, punctually, during the wars, only to be ignored afterwards. The situation continued for over a century and a half, and the old story would, of course, repeat itself at the end of World War I. Despite the general optimism, which became, in fact, a feature of the new era, expressed also at the level of the military intelligence command, which foresaw “a bright future” for the field, things did not evolve at all in that direction. Unleashed by the war, America sought, first of all, to return as soon as possible to “the good old days”. For the military intelligence, this would not mean anything good.
Keywords: army, counter-intelligence, interwar, millitary intelligence, society