Central Intelligence Agency

CIA Director Burns

CIA ORG Structure

CIA Memorial Wall 2023

Allen Dulles-TIME-1953

Mohammad Mosaddegh portrait

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world, primarily through the use of human intelligence (HUMINT). As one of the principal members of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), the CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence and is primarily focused on providing intelligence for the President of the United States and Cabinet of the United States.

History

The CIA was created on September 18, 1947, by the National Security Act of 1947 which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It emerged in the aftermath of World War II as a successor to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which had been formed during the war to coordinate espionage activities against the Axis Powers. The CIA was established to oversee and conduct espionage and intelligence activities worldwide, ensuring the United States' national security.

Organization

The structure of the CIA includes several key components: the Directorate of Operations, responsible for the collection of foreign intelligence; the Directorate of Analysis, tasked with analyzing and providing intelligence reports; the Directorate of Science and Technology, which develops and employs innovative technology for intelligence purposes; and the Directorate of Support, which provides essential support to the Agency's operations with services such as logistics and communications.

Functions and Duties

The primary function of the CIA is to collect information that reveals the plans, intentions, and capabilities of the United States' adversaries and provides the basis for decision and action. This includes counterintelligence services, special activities, and covert operations authorized by the President. The Agency plays a significant role in counterterrorism, nonproliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and advising on foreign intelligence aspects of national security issues.

Controversies and Criticisms

Throughout its history, the CIA has been involved in various controversies and criticisms, including involvement in coups, assassination attempts, and human rights abuses. Notable examples include the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the enhanced interrogation techniques during the War on Terror. These actions have sparked debates about the role of intelligence services in a democratic society and the balance between national security and individual rights.

In Popular Culture

The CIA has been a subject of fascination in popular culture, depicted in numerous books, films, and television shows. These portrayals range from realistic to highly fictionalized accounts of the life of spies and the operations of the Agency, contributing to the public's perception of intelligence work.

See Also

• Intelligence Community
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)