covert operation
Off-the-books assignment
A covert operation is a secret action, typically by a government or intelligence agency, designed to achieve objectives without revealing who is responsible.
The secrecy distinguishes it from overt military action: The CIA ran covert operations throughout the Cold War.
The term implies plausible deniability—if exposed, the sponsoring entity can deny involvement.
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- COINTELPROCovert federal disruption operations
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- undercover agentCovert infiltrator gathering intelligence
dead drop · wet work · subterfuge · tradecraft · clandestine · secret agent · KGB · false flag · plausible deniability · counterintelligence · need to know · national security · black site · rendition · reconnaissance · sabotage · secret service · concealment
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- Spy Fictionspy, secret agent, double agent, MI6, CIA
- military interventioninvasion, military intervention, coalition forces, allied forces, ground forces
- military operationsoffensive, attack, marines, Desert Storm, NATO operations
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
covert operationpress conference
Organized media Q&A
media event · public demonstration · public announcement · public display
covert operationdeclared war
Formally announced military aggression
conventional warfare · frontal assault · diplomatic engagement