Trust but Verify: Imagery Analysis in the Cold War

In documenting the role played by imagery analysis during the Cold War, this book documents how information derived from imagery came to influence U.S. policy. It focuses on America's efforts to assess the Soviet Union's strategic economic and military capabilities in the aftermath of World War II when American leaders realized the limits of their knowledge. Initial efforts to photograph Soviet territory using converted bombers proved unsuccessful and highly provocative and prompted the United States to develop specialized reconnaissance systems. Beginning with the U-2 in the mid-1950s and continuing with a series of increasingly sophisticated imaging satellites, this study demonstrates how the United States eventually was able to accurately appraise the military forces of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies.

The author argues that these more accurate assessments helped stabilize relations between the two adversaries while the imaging systems' monitoring capabilities led directly to arms control and ultimately arms reduction agreements. He concludes that imagery analysis not only played a critical role in resolving the Cold War but it also helped prevent another Pearl Harbor. His analysis will appeal to everyone with an interest in foreign affairs, intelligence, the Cold War, and space applications.