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William J. Casey's role as CIA director under Reagan and founder of the Manhattan Institute is critical. Casey's clandestine activities, ties to the intelligence community, and mysterious death just before testifying on Iran-Contra raise suspicions about the nature of think tanks like the Manhattan Institute—often accused of serving as ideological fronts for elite interests tied to intelligence and militarism. The involvement of other intelligence alumni, such as Bill Kristol (whose son Daniel may have replaced him on the think tank's board), adds further weight to this connection.
The Character and Ideology of Neon Neocons
Despite their superficial differences with older neocons, the core priorities remain remarkably consistent: