The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the US government, focused on gathering and analyzing national security information worldwide. Established in 1946, it conducts covert operations and reports to the Director of National Intelligence.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI) to gather foreign intelligence related to World War II, led by General William 'Wild Bill' Donovan.
The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) became the first centralized intelligence agency in American history, led by Wild Bill Donovan to collect and analyze strategic information during World War II.
Shortly after the end of World War II, Harry S. Truman signed an executive order dissolving the OSS on September 20, 1945. Its functions were divided between the Departments of State and War.
President Harry S. Truman abolished OSS at the end of World War II, leading to the creation of the Strategic Services Unit (SSU) to temporarily fill former OSS posts until a more permanent solution was established.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was established by President Harry S. Truman on January 22, 1946, following the dissolution of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) at the end of World War II. It was created to gather, process, and analyze national security information from around the world.
On February 22, 1946, George Kennan sent a telegram to James Byrnes, known as the 'Long Telegram', outlining his views on the Soviet Union and the containment policy, which had a significant impact on shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.
The Central Intelligence Agency was established on July 26, 1947, when Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act into law. It was created due to growing tensions with the USSR after World War II.
The CIA was established on September 10, 1947, under the National Security Act of 1947 to coordinate intelligence activities and address threats to US security.
In 1947, President Truman signed a Presidential Directive to establish the Central Intelligence Group under the National Intelligence Authority's direction.
Rear Admiral Sidney W. Souers, USNR, was appointed as the first Director of Central Intelligence by President Truman and sworn in the following day in 1947.
The National Security Council issued Directive 10/2 in 1948, authorizing covert operations by the CIA against hostile foreign states or groups, while maintaining plausible deniability for the US government. The creation of the Office of Policy Coordination within the CIA was a unique development.
The Central Intelligence Group (CIG) was created on September 1, 1948, by President Truman as a precursor to the CIA, replacing the Office of Strategic Services.
The Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 was passed on June 20, 1949, providing special administrative functions for the CIA.
Shortly after the start of the Korean War, President Truman announced Walter Bedell Smith as the new Director of the CIA due to the perceived failure of intelligence in providing a clear warning about the imminent North Korean invasion.
The Central Intelligence Agency issued a report on the Iranian Political Situation on October 12, 1951.
In 1953, the CIA, under Director Allen Dulles, orchestrated Operation Ajax to overthrow Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossaddegh and install a pro-western regime led by the Shah of Iran. The operation involved paid mobs, military support, and propaganda to destabilize Mossaddegh's government.
In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill allocating $46 million for the construction of the CIA Headquarters Building.
On January 13, 1956, President Eisenhower established the President's Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence to advise on matters related to foreign intelligence.
On July 1, 1957, the CIA conducted covert operations in Indonesia.
President Eisenhower ordered the CIA to initiate a revolution in Indonesia with the aim of regime change. This decision was made in response to Sukarno's declaration of neutrality in the Cold War and the suspicions of the CIA towards him.
A Soviet-controlled weekly in India, Blitz, revealed a supposed American plan to overthrow Sukarno in Indonesia, which was then widely reported in the Indonesian media.
Foster Dulles, the Secretary of State, publicly called for a revolt against communist despotism under Sukarno. This statement indicated the US's anti-communist stance and involvement in Indonesian affairs.
CIA agent Allen Lawrence Pope's B-26 aircraft was shot down over Ambon, Indonesia while attacking Indonesian military targets. This incident highlighted the covert operations and involvement of the CIA in Indonesia.
In 1959, President Eisenhower oversaw the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of the CIA Headquarters Building in Langley, Virginia.
In December 1959, a memo reached the CIA's desk recommending the 'elimination' of Fidel Castro, which was later changed to 'removal' by Dulles. This marked the beginning of CIA's covert operations to overthrow Castro.
The USSR successfully shot down a U-2 spy plane flying over its territory, leading to a significant diplomatic incident and cover-up.
On January 18, 1961, the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) was established as a joint project of the CIA to provide photographic intelligence gathered from aircraft and later satellites.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed CIA-sponsored military invasion of Cuba by Brigade 2506 on April 17, 1961, aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro's government but ended in surrender within three days.
Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo of the Dominican Republic died from gunshot wounds on May 30, 1961, after a CIA-backed plot to overthrow him was set into motion.
President Kennedy dismisses CIA Director Allen Dulles following the unsuccessful Operation Mongoose, where 1,500 Cuban exiles were sent by the CIA to invade Cuba under Castro's regime, resulting in a failed mission due to inadequate planning.
Following his capture, Che Guevara was executed on October 9, 1967, by the Bolivian soldiers trained with assistance from the CIA. The CIA's involvement in Guevara's capture and death was later revealed through declassified documents.
A memo from National Security Advisor Walt Rostow to President Lyndon B. Johnson confirmed the CIA's role in the capture and killing of Che Guevara. The memo highlighted the training provided by the CIA to the Bolivian unit responsible for Guevara's death.
On October 14, 1962, U-2 flights over Cuba resumed after a brief cessation ordered by President Kennedy. This decision came amidst heightened tensions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the discovery of Soviet missile sites in Cuba.
From October 15 to 28, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis started after the CIA discovered Soviet-made nuclear missiles in Cuba that could target most of the United States.
The coup in South Vietnam occurred on November 1, 1963, following the assassination of President Ngo Dinh Diem. This event led to a series of coups in Saigon.
The CIA and the US government were involved in the coup that ousted Brazilian President João Goulart, seen as a left-wing threat. Secret cables confirmed CIA's covert actions in Brazil, including encouraging dissent against Goulart.
In June 1975, a memo detailed the debriefing of CIA operative Félix Rodríguez, who was involved in the capture and execution of Che Guevara. Rodríguez's account shed light on the CIA's covert operations in Bolivia and their role in Guevara's demise.
In 1971, it was revealed that the NSA and CIA were involved in domestic spying activities. This included eavesdropping on individuals such as Henry Kissinger, as well as wiretapping the White House and Camp David. The infamous Plumbers group, which included former CIA officers, played a role in these activities.
In 1974, it was revealed that the CIA had violated its charter by spying on US citizens who opposed the Vietnam War, known as the 'Family Jewels' scandal.
On June 6, 1975, the Commission on CIA Activities within the United States, chaired by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, submitted its report on CIA domestic activities to President Gerald R. Ford. This report was a significant milestone in assessing the CIA's operations within the country.
Bill Colby's short tenure as DCI ended with the Halloween Massacre, where George H. W. Bush replaced him as the Director of Central Intelligence.
A report was presented to the public on April 26, 1976.
On July 14, 1977, the House of Representatives established a permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
In 1981, President Reagan reestablished the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board by appointing 19 notable individuals from outside the government to serve on it.
In 1982, President Reagan signed Executive Order 12333, which aimed to clarify ambiguities of previous orders and establish clear objectives for the Intelligence Community while upholding the law and respecting the rights of Americans.
A 2,000 lb car bomb exploded in the American embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans and 7 CIA officers, such as Robert Ames.
Two bombs were set off in Beirut, including a 10-ton bomb at a US military barracks that killed 242 people.
Jeremy Levin, CNN Bureau Chief in Beirut, was kidnapped in Beirut.
On October 15, 1984, President Reagan signed the Central Intelligence Agency Information Act of 1984, which aimed to regulate the disclosure of information related to the Central Intelligence Agency.
An American C-123 aircraft carrying weapons was shot down by a Nicaraguan soldier, with the only survivor claiming to be a CIA cargo handler.
Anonymous leaflets were scattered in Tehran, exposing the Iran connection and leading to the breaking of the Iran Contra Affair.
The first annual memorial ceremony commemorates Agency employees who have died in the line of duty.
In 1989, Gorbachev announced the unilateral reduction of 500,000 Soviet troops, surprising the CIA. The CIA's Chief of Soviet analysis mentioned that even if the CIA had prior knowledge, it would have been ignored. This event highlighted the CIA's flawed intelligence on the USSR's economy and reliance on inexperienced experts.
During the Gulf War in 1991, the CIA supported Saddam Hussein by providing advanced weaponry, intelligence, training, and financial aid.
On January 25, 1993, Mir Qazi opened fire at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, killing two officers and wounding three others. This tragic event underscored the vulnerability of intelligence agencies to such attacks.
On February 26, 1993, Al-Qaeda terrorists led by Ramzi Yousef bombed the parking garage below the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in casualties. This event marked an early act of terrorism by the Al-Qaeda network.
Aldrich Ames, a CIA officer, was arrested in 1994 for spying for Russia, leading to the exposure of compromised CIA sources and the reliance on Soviet disinformation. This scandal revealed significant flaws in the CIA's operations and management.
On July 13, 1995, the Srebrenica massacre was reported, but the CIA took three weeks to confirm the mass murders due to lack of agents on the ground. This delay highlighted the challenges faced by the CIA in verifying critical information during conflicts.
In January 1996, the CIA established the Bin Laden Issue Station under the Counterterrorist Center to monitor Bin Laden's activities. Al-Fadl's defection provided new insights into Bin Laden's role as a terrorist organizer.
In June 1997, the Central Intelligence Agency celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
India conducted its second nuclear test, surprising the CIA Director George Tenet and prompting concerns from Pakistan. The test reshaped the global balance of power and was seen as a response to Pakistan's missile tests.
On September 18, 1999, the CIA headquarters compound was dedicated as the George Bush Center for Intelligence as mandated by the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 1999.
In 2000, the Sherman Kent School for Analysis was dedicated as a crucial component of Strategic Direction initiatives to enhance analytical tradecraft.
Following the September 4, 2001, Cabinet-level Principals Committee meeting on terrorism, the CIA resumed reconnaissance flights over Afghanistan with weapon-capable drones.
On September 11, 2001, George W. Bush addressed the nation, vowing to bring the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks to justice and directing the intelligence and law enforcement communities to intensify efforts.
On September 15, 2001, during a meeting at Camp David, George W. Bush agreed to a plan proposed by CIA director George Tenet to conduct a covert war in Afghanistan. This plan involved CIA paramilitary officers cooperating with anti-Taliban guerillas and calling in precision airstrikes on Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters.
Between November 25-27, 2001, Taliban prisoners revolted at the Qala Jangi prison in Afghanistan, gaining the upper hand after days of struggle against Northern Alliance members. CIA officer Johnny 'Mike' Spann was beaten to death during this period, becoming the first American to die in combat in the war in Afghanistan.
After the 9/11 attacks, the CIA faced criticism for not preventing the attacks. CIA director George Tenet defended the agency's planning efforts over the preceding years, stating that the CIA was well-prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to the attacks globally. The new strategy was termed the 'Worldwide Attack Matrix'.
By December 2002, the CIA had close to a dozen functional networks in Iraq, penetrating Iraq's SSO, tapping encrypted communications, and recruiting insiders. The CIA was concerned about the possibility of their networks being compromised.
The CIA believed that the invasion of Iraq had to occur before the end of February 2003 for their sources inside Hussein's government to survive. The rollup of CIA sources was predicted.
In February 2004, President George W. Bush called for an investigation into US intelligence failures prior to the invasion.
The 9/11 Commission Report criticized former DCI George Tenet for not adequately preparing the agency to combat the threat of al-Qaeda before the September 11 attacks. The report highlighted failures in intelligence analysis and information sharing within the FBI.
On May 8, 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush announced the nomination of General Michael V. Hayden as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This nomination marked a significant event in the leadership of the CIA.
On December 17, 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, restructuring the Intelligence Community. It abolished the positions of Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI), creating the Director of CIA (D/CIA) and Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
President Bush issued Executive Order 13470 amending Executive Order 12333 to strengthen the role of the DNI, shifting some responsibilities from the CIA to the DNI.
On May 1, 2011, President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, by a small team of Americans during a CIA operation. The operation was a result of years of intelligence work and led to a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism.
Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemeni American U.S. citizen and al-Qaeda member, was killed in a drone strike conducted by the Joint Special Operations Command. Samir Khan, a Pakistani American al-Qaeda member and editor of Inspire magazine, also died in the attack.
Since at least 2012, the CIA has been sending weapons to anti-government rebels in Syria, training and arming nearly 10,000 rebel fighters. The support included a significant amount of military aid, but concerns arose about the weapons falling into the hands of extremist groups like al-Nusra Front and ISIL.
According to classified budget documents, the CIA's computer network operations budget for fiscal year 2013 was $685.4 million.
Project Vote Smart's voting record on the nomination of John Brennan to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
The CIA has increasingly turned to online sources, including social media platforms like YouTube, for intelligence gathering. The DNI Open Source Center (OSC) director mentioned the agency's interest in chat rooms and other online platforms. CIA also launched a Twitter account in June 2014 and an .onion website for anonymous feedback.
On March 6, 2015, the CIA issued a press release titled 'Our Agency's Blueprint for the Future' outlining significant reforms and reorganization plans. The release introduced the establishment of the Directorate of Digital Innovation to develop digital technology for CIA operations and the creation of Mission Centers for specific global regions.
The Directorate of Digital Innovation (DDI) was established with a focus on accelerating innovation across the CIA's mission activities, streamlining and integrating digital and cybersecurity capabilities into various operations.
Until 2018, the CIA secretly owned Crypto AG, a Swiss company that sold compromised encryption devices to over 120 countries. This allowed Western intelligence to eavesdrop on supposedly secure communications.
In 2022, it was revealed that the CIA still operates a domestic surveillance program without Congressional oversight. This discovery raised concerns about privacy and the extent of the agency's activities within the United States.
According to Calder Walton, most of the US covert actions were not long-term strategic successes, except for the intervention in the Soviet-Afghan War and support for the anti-Soviet Solidarity movement in Poland.