Editing Theodore Shackley (section)

===Le Cercle Involvement:===
Shackley joined [[Le Cercle]] in the 1970s, reportedly chairing its U.S. meetings during the late 1970s and 1980s, when the group shifted to a transatlantic focus under his influence. Le Cercle, founded by Antoine Pinay and Jean Violet, included intelligence veterans, politicians, and business leaders like Brian Crozier, Julian Amery, and Franz Josef Strauss. Shackley’s participation is documented in sources like David Teacher’s Rogue Agents and Joël van der Reijden’s research, based on Monique Garnier-Lançon’s papers.

Le Cercle’s activities during Shackley’s tenure included supporting conservative politicians (e.g., Margaret Thatcher), backing anti-communist movements like [[UNITA]] in Angola, and influencing NATO’s nuclear policies. Shackley’s CIA background and connections to figures like [[Ray Cline]] (a [[World Anti-Communist League]] leader) made him a key figure in aligning Le Cercle with U.S. intelligence priorities.