Black op

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term black op has two related meanings:

• "Black operation" which is a type of covert operation. In this context, "black" is a term used in political, military, intelligence, and business circles to refer to activities that are either secret, or of questionable ethics and/or legality.

• "Black operator" or "black operative", the person(s) who specialise in or carry out this type of operation.

Black Ops missions often fall into the deniability category, where no government will claim responsibility for the action, or where responsibility is shifted to another actor in the case of a "false flag" operation. This type of operation is normally used by various secret services to achieve some goals while trying to operate secretly (so the connection between "black operations" and secret agents or even the country of their origin cannot be found). The methods used in black operations are also used in unconventional warfare and includes actions like assassinations, espionage, sabotages, and supporting of resistance movements.

[edit] In fiction

Black operations are a popular subject in literature, television, cinema, and video games, featuring most often in thrillers and science fiction. (In the latter, "black ops" groups often take part in conspiracies involving paranormal or extraterrestrial threats to humanity.)

[edit] See also

• Black Bag Operations
• Covert operations