Allen Dulles

Operation Gladio

Allen Welsh Dulles (1893–1969) was a pivotal figure in American intelligence, serving as the longest-tenured Director of Central Intelligence (1953–1961) under Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Born in Watertown, New York, Dulles joined the diplomatic service before transitioning to intelligence during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). As CIA Director, he oversaw major operations like the 1953 Iranian coup and the 1954 Guatemalan coup, shaping Cold War espionage. His tenure, marked by covert interventions, ended after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. A controversial figure, Dulles’ legacy reflects both strategic successes and ethical criticisms in U.S. intelligence history.