Miles Copeland Jr.
Miles Copeland Jr. | |
|---|---|
Miles Copeland | |
| Born | Miles Axe Copeland Jr. July 16, 1916 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | January 14, 1991 (aged 74) Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, businessman, CIA founder |
| Spouse | Lorraine Copeland |
| Children | Miles Copeland III, Ian Copeland, Lorraine (Lennie) Copeland, Stewart Copeland |
| Espionage activity | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service branch | Central Intelligence Agency Counterintelligence Corps Strategic Services Unit Corps of Intelligence Police |
| Service years | 1940–1957 |
| Operations | Project FF Operation Ajax March 1949 Syrian coup d'état (alleged) Operation Overlord |
Miles Axe Copeland Jr. (July 16, 1916 – January 14, 1991) was an American musician, businessman, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) founding member best known for his relationship with Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser and his public commentary on intelligence matters. Copeland participated in numerous covert operations, including the March 1949 Syrian coup d'état and the 1953 Iranian coup d'état.
A conservative who was influenced by the ideas of James Burnham, Copeland was associated with the American political magazine National Review. In a 1986 Rolling Stone interview, he stated "Unlike The New York Times, Victor Marchetti and Philip Agee, my complaint has been that the CIA isn't overthrowing enough anti-American governments or assassinating enough anti-American leaders, but I guess I'm getting old."