 By necessity some aspects of a state have to remain hidden from the public. Things which are hidden tend to develop speculation or become all powerful - because of people's mental processes. The era when aliens, abduction and UFOs first became prominent was during the early stage of the Cold War. No doubt the CIA was very active. Fears over communism in America meant that the FBI as a national law enforcement agency in America also figured prominently in peoples' minds. If the state was known to be hiding some things then it follows that it is probably hiding others. State aims at disinformation probably made people more suspicious. The state in times of threat obviously does not want to disclose details about its defence to an enemy. Negative mental processes thrive on anxiety. Although America is both powerful and in a sense geographically isolated from other nations; science in the form of nuclear weapons can overcome this. UFOs have become a popular idea, for several reasons, to a number of Americans. If the government takes them seriously it could have social consequences. If it doesn't it is accused of a cover up and a conspiracy theory evolves. UFOs could serve as a cover for military activity but then if people demand details national security could be affected. Conspiracy makes good cover for journalists and film makers. Roswell, the most well known UFO conspiracy story did not develop at the time, but much later, fed by TV and Films.
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