CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the United States government. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence to support national security policy and to inform decision-making. The agency also conducts clandestine operations under presidential authorization and within the framework of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Its headquarters are in Langley, Virginia.

Established in 1947 by the National Security Act, the CIA consolidated and expanded the wartime intelligence functions of the Office of Strategic Services. Its primary mission is to provide timely intelligence on foreign political, military, economic, and technological developments. The CIA emphasizes human intelligence (HUMINT) collection and covert activities conducted through its Directorate of Operations, while technical and signals intelligence are typically handled by other agencies in the IC. The agency also carries out analysis and research through its Directorate of Analysis and related units.

The CIA is led by the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who reports to the Director of National Intelligence. It is organized into major directorates including Analysis, Operations, Science and Technology, and Support. Oversight is provided by the U.S. Congress through intelligence committees and by internal mechanisms such as the Inspector General, along with adherence to executive orders and statutory safeguards.

In historical and policy terms, the CIA has played a central role in Cold War intelligence and in various contemporary foreign operations. Its work has been the subject of ongoing public debate regarding transparency, accountability, ethics, and the balance between secrecy and oversight in maintaining national security.