What did the declassified documents reveal?

From the vault of the Central Intelligence Agency, this is Declassified. Today, a declassified C.I.A. record dated March third, nineteen-fifty-nine, discussing U.S. intelligence views on China-Soviet Union relations. This document offers insight into early cold war strategies regarding the Sino-Soviet alliance. You can find this record at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released by the C.I.A. under a Freedom of Information Act request, with a declassification date of April eighteenth, two-thousand-three. It is identified as C.I.A. R.D.P. eighty-B-zero-one-eight-seven-six-R-zero-zero-one-two-zero-zero-one-five-zero-zero-three-two-zero. The document is a letter from Allen W. Dulles, Director of Central Intelligence, to Admiral Arleigh Burke, Chief of Naval Operations. It is marked Top Secret. Quote: Dear Arleigh: Reference is made to your letter of January sixth, nineteen-fifty-nine, enclosing a Navy staff study, together with O.N.I. comments, on the subject of Republic of China. I wrote you an interim reply on January twelfth. As you undoubtedly have been advised, General Erskine chaired a meeting on February twenty-fourth, nineteen-fifty-nine, at which there were present both of us, and Messrs. [one line redacted] of my staff. I understand that at the meeting there was a discussion of the Navy suggestions, which incidentally we considered constructive and useful, and the C.I.A. representatives indicated that they would be glad to consider and discuss any specific recommendations along similar lines. We, ourselves, have a number of efforts devoted to achieving the objectives suggested by the Navy study and new ideas are always welcome. I also understand that General Erskine proposes, as a result of the discussion, to bring the Navy suggestions to the attention of Mr. Quarles in order that he can consider the possibility that U.S. policy should be amended to call for an even stronger effort at encouraging or aggravating Sino-Soviet friction than now directed. In my opinion, no such review is necessary but I have, of course, no objection to the point being raised with Mr. Quarles. I would, however, refer you to the recent National Intelligence Estimate on the "Main Trends in Soviet Capabilities and Policies, nineteen-fifty-six through nineteen-sixty-three" (N.I.E. eleven-four-five-five) in which we conclude that the parallelism of material, strategic and ideological interests will continue to weigh decisively in favor of cementing the alliance between the U.S.S.R. and the P.R.C. even though frictions over a variety of questions may from time to time make the relationship a sensitive and difficult one. At any rate, thanks again for your interest, and please let me know if you have any further comments on this matter. Sincerely, Allen W. Dulles Director End quote. The Black Vault's editorial summary notes that the C.I.A. Director believed the Sino-Soviet alliance would persist despite internal frictions. The document indicates that…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

From The Vault Of The Central Intelligence Agency, This Is Declassified.

◆ BLUF — The short version

From the vault of the Central Intelligence Agency, this is Declassified. A. S. intelligence views on China-Soviet Union relations. This document offers insight into early cold war strategies regarding the Sino-Soviet alliance. com. A. under a Freedom of Information Act request, with a declassification date of April eighteenth, two-thousand-three.

Date: SEP 19 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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From the vault of the Central Intelligence Agency, this is Declassified. Today, a declassified C.I.A. record dated March third, nineteen-fifty-nine, discussing U.S. intelligence views on China-Soviet Union relations. This document offers insight into early cold war strategies regarding the…

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What was From The Vault Of The Central Intelligence Agency, This Is Declassified. about?: From the vault of the Central Intelligence Agency, this is Declassified. A. S. intelligence views on China-Soviet Union relations. This document offers insight into early cold war strategies regarding the Sino-Soviet alliance. com. A. under a Freedom of Information Act request, with a declassification date of April eighteenth, two-thousand-three.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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From The Vault Of The Central Intelligence Agency, This Is Declassified.

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