Central Intelligence Agency
Overview
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the primary external intelligence service of the United States federal government. Its primary function is obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals in order to advise public policymakers. The agency conducts covert operations and paramilitary actions, and exerts foreign political influence through its Special Activities Division.
History
The Central Intelligence Agency was created on July 26, 1947, when Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act into law. This established the CIA and a National Security Council (NSC). The act was a response to the perceived threat of communist expansion (known as the Red Scare) after World War II. The CIA officially came into existence on September 18, 1947.
Structure
The CIA has an executive office and several agency-wide functions, and four major directorates: The Directorate of Digital Innovation, the Directorate of Analysis, the Directorate of Operations, and the Directorate of Support.
Directorate of Digital Innovation
The Directorate of Digital Innovation (DDI) is tasked with accelerating innovation across the agency's mission activities. It is the agency's newest directorate; it was created in October 2015.
Directorate of Analysis
The Directorate of Analysis (DA) is responsible for all-source intelligence research and analysis for U.S. policymakers. The DA also includes the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) with several centers that focus on specific issues, regions, or functions, including the Center for the Study of Intelligence, which examines the role of intelligence in U.S. history.
Directorate of Operations
The Directorate of Operations (DO) is responsible for the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence. It was known as the Directorate of Plans from 1951 to 1973; as the Directorate of Operations from 1973 to 2005; and as the National Clandestine Service (NCS) from 2005 to 2015.
Directorate of Support
The Directorate of Support (DS) provides everything the CIA needs to accomplish its critical mission of defending our nation. This includes a vast array of logistics, services, and support: everything from providing a secure, comfortable, and efficient workplace, to securing travel and creating false identities for undercover officers.
Operations
The CIA conducts a variety of activities to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations. The agency's operations are divided into two main categories: intelligence collection and covert action.
Intelligence Collection
Intelligence collection involves gathering information from a variety of sources to inform U.S. policy decisions. The CIA collects intelligence in a variety of ways, including HUMINT (human intelligence) and SIGINT (signals intelligence).
Covert Action
Covert action is the use of clandestine activities to influence foreign governments, events, organizations, or persons in support of U.S. foreign policy. These activities can include propaganda, political influence, economic measures, and paramilitary operations.
Criticisms and Controversies
The CIA has been the subject of numerous controversies and criticisms. These have related to issues such as human rights abuses, failures of intelligence, and allegations of drug trafficking. Some of the most notable controversies include the agency's role in the Iran-Contra affair, its involvement in the overthrow of foreign governments, and its use of torture in the post-9/11 era.