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Jerry Daniels: The Hmong and the CIA in Modern Southeast Asia

Juan Rulfo

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Published in Hog S Exit: Jerry Daniels The Hmong And The CIA (Modern Southeast Asia)

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Hog’s Exit: Jerry Daniels, the Hmong, and the CIA (Modern Southeast Asia)

by Darius Anania

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Language	:	English
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The entanglement between Jerry Daniels, a former CIA operative, the Hmong people, and the CIA has profoundly shaped the political landscape of modern Southeast Asia. Their intertwined stories reveal a complex web of alliances, betrayals, and enduring consequences.

Jerry Daniels: The CIA Officer

Jerry Daniels joined the CIA in 1957 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1961, he was assigned to Laos, a landlocked country bordering Vietnam and Thailand, which was becoming an important battleground during the Vietnam War.

The Hmong People

The Hmong are an ethnic minority group native to the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia, with their largest populations in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the Hmong emerged as staunch allies of the United States due to their shared anti-communist sentiment.

The Secret Army

Under Daniels' leadership, the CIA recruited, trained, and equipped the Hmong to fight against the communist Pathet Lao in Laos. This covert operation, known as the "Secret Army," played a significant role in disrupting the North Vietnamese supply lines into South Vietnam.

Laos and the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War spilled over into Laos, making the country a proxy battleground between the United States and North Vietnam. The Hmong Secret Army fought fiercely against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese forces, but they suffered heavy losses.

The Geneva Accords and the Withdrawal

In 1962, the Geneva Accords were signed, leading to a ceasefire in Laos. As part of the agreement, the United States withdrew its forces, including the Hmong Secret Army. Without American support, the Hmong were left vulnerable to the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese.

Betrayal and Consequences

The Hmong felt betrayed by the United States, which withdrew its support after using them as proxy fighters. Many Hmong fled Laos to neighboring Thailand, where they established refugee camps. Daniels later admitted that he had misled the Hmong about the true nature of the war and their role in it.

Legacy and Impact

The Jerry Daniels, Hmong, and CIA saga has left a lasting legacy in Southeast Asia. The Hmong continue to struggle with the consequences of the war, including poverty, discrimination, and the trauma of displacement. Daniels' involvement raised questions about the ethics of covert operations and the political consequences of using ethnic minorities as proxy forces.

The story of Jerry Daniels, the Hmong, and the CIA is a complex and cautionary tale. It highlights the dangers of covert operations, the betrayal of allies, and the lasting consequences of war. The legacy of this entanglement continues to shape the political landscape of Southeast Asia today.