The Nation: Cutting Off The King's Dole

Not yet a month in office, Jimmy Carter last week had to deal with one of the most difficult questions that a President must confront: How much latitude to allow the CIA in conducting covert operations abroad? At issue was the revelation of secret payments to Jordan's King Hussein that, according to the Washington Post, began in 1957 and amounted to "millions of dollars." Carter acted decisively, ordering an immediate halt to the CIA'S largess to the King.

Carter learned about the Hussein arrangement only when Post Reporter Bob Woodward (of Watergate fame) began...