Indeed, it was waged everywhere precisely because the threat of nuclear war was so terrible: Covert warfare became a prudent alternative.

FORBES: What Happened To The American Declaration Of War?

Early in the decade, Coward undertook a number of covert intelligence-gathering missions for a war that he was sure was coming.

ECONOMIST: Collected letters

Kennan gave counsel to the Administration during the Korean War, and was instrumental in setting up the covert-operations wing of the Central Intelligence Agency.

NEWYORKER: Getting Real