6. Phoenix Program
Between 1968 and 1972, the CIA coordinated the Phoenix Program during the Vietnam War to dismantle the Viet Cong’s political infrastructure. The program employed methods such as infiltration, assassination, and torture to identify and neutralize suspected Viet Cong members. Official records indicate that approximately 81,740 individuals were “neutralized,” with 26,369 killed. The program’s controversial tactics led to significant criticism and sparked debates over its ethical implications.
