What did the declassified documents reveal?

Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, US President Richard Nixon's administration considered a proposal for a drone flight over China. This declassified conversation between Secretary of State William Rogers and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger is part of the US Intelligence on China CI01975 collection, released through The Black Vault. Provenance: This document was released through The Black Vault, a non-profit organization dedicated to declassifying government records. The original document is housed at the National Archives and Records Administration, with a PDF available at archive.org. The Document: On the question of the drone over China you considered, I think, Secretary Rogers said, at the 40 Committee. I don't oppose it, I didn't think it was very wise before but I can see why the President thinks it might be desirable now. I think Alexis... Obviously, there is some worry as to whether it will work. Kissinger responded, It was a flap both times. Secretary Rogers continued, Tell the President I can see why there is some advantage. I didn't want him to think we really oppose it, This is different from before, Now there is good reason to take a look at that area. Kissinger said, I will mention it to him, I frankly was trying to avoid bringing it to him with a divided position, so I have been sitting on it, Secretary Rogers replied, It's not a manned vehicle. Kissinger said, They will have trouble picking it up anyway. Context: According to The Black Vault's editorial summary, this document is part of a larger collection of US intelligence on China, including reports and memoranda from the Nixon administration. The exact classification status of this document is unknown, but it has been declassified and made available through The Black Vault. Outro: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Storyflo.com. US Intelligence on China CI01975, Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, February 26, 1971, 1 pp.

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.

Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, Us President Richard Nixon's Administration

◆ BLUF — The short version

Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, US President Richard Nixon's administration considered a proposal for a drone flight over China. This declassified conversation between Secretary of State William Rogers and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger is part of the US Intelligence on China CI01975 collection, released through The Black Vault.

Date: AUG 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, Us President Richard Nixon's Administration about?: Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, US President Richard Nixon's administration considered a proposal for a drone flight over China. This declassified conversation between Secretary of State William Rogers and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger is part of the US Intelligence on China CI01975 collection, released through The Black Vault.
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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Cold Open: On February 26, 1971, Us President Richard Nixon's Administration

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