CIA - The Central Intelligence Agency of the United States was formed in 1947 after the adoption of the law "On National Security", signed by President Truman. The head of the CIA served as "Director of Central Intelligence" (from the English. DCI) and headed the American Intelligence Society. He also acted as Chief Adviser to the President of the United States for Intelligence and National Security Affairs
In connection with the adoption of the law “On Reforms in Intelligence and Prevention of Terrorism” in 2004, amendments were made to the Law “On National Security” and the position of Director of National Intelligence was established. He took over some of the functions previously performed by the director of Central Intelligence, and also occupied the post of director of the CIA.
Responsibilities of the CIA Director
The Director of the CIA is directly subordinate to the Director of National Intelligence. His duties include:
- Collecting intelligence using an agent network and other means. However, the head of the CIA does not have police, law enforcement powers;
- Comparison and evaluation of the obtained intelligence related to national security, and the provision of intelligence information to the relevant authorities;
- General guidance and coordination of national intelligence gathering outside the United States using intelligence agents from the intelligence community;
- Perform other similar functions and tasks related to intelligence activities necessary to ensure national security, as prescribed by the US President or the Director of National Intelligence.
The main task of the CIA
The CIA is engaged in research, development, and the introduction of extremely efficient technologies for intelligence. As an autonomous agency, the CIA is an independent analytical source on issues of greatest concern. The United States CIA, in close cooperation with other structures of the Intelligence Community, provides the most accurate intelligence for the Washington government representative and for the commander from the combat zone.
About the CIA of our days
The CIA is an independent directorate responsible for providing intelligence information to US government agencies for national security. Directors of the CIA are appointed by the President on the advice and consent of the Senate. The director heads the operations, forms the staff and budget of the CIA.
The head of the CIA has several departments under its control:
- Public relations;
- Personnel management;
- Tracking new directions;
- Observance of functioning instructions and rules;
- On relations with the Congress;
- Legal;
- Information Management;
- Internal oversight.
CIA organizational structure
The structural composition of the CIA is four main divisions:
- National Secret Service;
- Intelligence Agency;
- Scientific and Technical Management;
- Management of Material and Technical Support.
With their participation, "intelligence cycles" are carried out - processes for collecting, analyzing and communicating the findings, obtained as a result of intelligence activities, to senior United States government officials.
National Secret Service
The NSS collects intelligence using secret methods, using mainly an agent network. The central body of the National Secret Service coordinates, resolves conflict situations, evaluates secret undercover operations of the whole Intelligence Society, for compliance with applicable laws, government regulations and inter-departmental agreements.
The service is an advanced source of secret intelligence in key international events, including terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as issues of military-political significance. In order to acquire this crucial intelligence, CIA agents from among the operatives living and working outside the United States are building and strengthening ties and relations with foreign "agents" in the territory of these states.
Intelligence Agency
The Agency processes and analyzes intelligence, prepares reports, holds briefings and reports on key issues that interest foreign intelligence. Intelligence is in a variety of ways. Information is used from US military personnel serving abroad, foreign media. Various methods are used: intelligence reports, satellite imagery, as well as highly sensitive sensors.
The Intelligence Agency is fully responsible for timely, accurate and up-to-date analysis of intelligence information of interest to national security agencies or other intelligence users. Even if the CIA does not determine the direction in foreign policy, the analysis of intelligence about events abroad contributes to the adoption of reasoned decisions by government structures and other individuals in the defense sphere or national security. Thus, any CIA agent can provide invaluable assistance for his country.
Scientific and Technical Management
The scientific and technical department obtains, collects and uses information to assist in the execution of CIA missions, applying innovative, scientific, engineering and technical solutions for key intelligence missions. Scientific and technical management selects for itself specialists of more than fifty different specialties: these are programmers, and engineers, and scientists and analysts.
NTU, in collaboration with most of the other departments within the Intelligence Society, applies the most effective methodology that facilitates the development of creative thought processes and the coordination of performers.
Logistics Support Office
The Office of Material and Technical Support provides the material and technical base in the production units, which plays a significant role in the operations of the CIA. The Procurement Support Department provides a full range of procurement services, including procurement, communications, home maintenance, financial management, information technology, and medical care. Conducts a full range of logistics, as well as ensures the safety of personnel, information, facilities and technology.
How does the CIA function
Initially, a task or issue in the field of national security is identified, in which the American government is interested. At times, the head of the CIA may be instructed to investigate certain intelligence matters. In particular, on the alleged activities of terrorist organizations. Or, for example, how the states that have weapons of mass destruction at their disposal intend to use them. Then there is a search for the most appropriate ways to get this information.
Information Collection Methodology
There are many methods of collecting information. It can be obtained from open source when translating foreign media. Based on satellite images of satellite intelligence analytics, reports are compiled. This may be the number of helicopters at a foreign military airfield. Operators from the radio intelligence unit analyze the data, decipher the coded messages exchanged between other states. Operatives recruit foreign citizens to gain information about their state structures.
Following the collection of information intelligence analysts compare data from different sources. Further, the incident is interpreted, motives are identified, future forecasts are made and the significance of certain incidents for the interests of the United States is established. As a result of these analytical measures, timely and objective assessments of the incident are revealed, excluding any political prejudices.
The conclusions thus acquired are handed over to senior representatives of state structures as ready-made intelligence documents, with written reports and oral briefings. One of these documents is called the Daily Operational Intelligence Summary for the President. It is provided daily not only to the President, but also to other high-ranking government representatives. It should be emphasized that the CIA analysts only provide information, but they themselves avoid giving any advice on political issues.
Political interpretations are carried out by institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Defense. In these legislative structures, the data obtained from the CIA are used to formulate American policy in relation to other countries. It is important to remember that the CIA is not a law enforcement agency. This activity is carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Nevertheless, both the FBI and the CIA are cooperating on certain issues, particularly in counterintelligence and in the fight against terrorism. Moreover, the Office of the times conducts secret operations of the CIA.
Since the time of the formation of the CIA, since 1947, the US Congress has carried out the oversight functions of management. By the mid-1970s, supervision had a formal character. The Intelligence Surveillance Act, adopted in 1980, authorized the Elected Senate Intelligence Committee (SSCI) and other similar committee (HPSCI) to authorize intelligence programs and supervise their operation.
