Conduct

Abstract

This chapter explores why states intervene covertly versus overtly during their regime changes. First, it discusses the two major tactical factors weighed by policymakers. It then looks at leaders' broader geostrategic considerations. Afterward, the chapter explains why both tactical and strategic considerations favor covert conduct, and it discusses the conditions under which states will intervene overtly. Next, the five types of covert tactics employed by states during their regime changes are laid out. Finally, the chapter argues that the conduct of a regime change is best thought of as falling along a continuum between truly covert and directly overt action, and it investigates the phenomenon of “pseudo-covert operations,” that is, regime changes where the intervening state officially denies its role even though all parties involved seem to know of its participation.