Each country has its own secret services that deal with state security, as well as foreign intelligence. For example, in Russia they are called the FSB and the GRU, in the UK - MI-6. The United States of America is no exception . There are more secret services in this country than in any other. Two organizations are engaged in foreign intelligence in the United States at once - the NSA and the CIA. Decoding of the abbreviation, as well as a description of the activities of the Intelligence Agency are given in this article.
The CIA
Now more about this special service. The CIA is a US federal agency that collects and analyzes any information about the activities of foreign states, their citizens and organizations. This body is considered the main one in the United States intelligence system.
The story of the creation of the CIA. Decoding abbreviations
After the defeat of Germany, the United States needed to create a powerful intelligence system, since the USSR was considered a potential enemy. And he had to fight. Almost immediately, the Cold War began. During this period, this organization was formed. The CIA appeared in 1947 after the National Security Act was passed. He was signed at that time by US President Harry Truman. The law entered into force on 10/18/1947.
What is the CIA and how was it formed? It was created on the basis of the strategic service department that already existed at that time, which was active during the Second World War. The new body took over all its functions, and in 1949 a personal Law on the creation of the CIA was signed. The abbreviation is explained below. Curious fact: some people believe that the CIA means - Central murder investigation. This is not so, right - the Central Intelligence Agency.
Organization management
Until 2005, it was led by the director of the Intelligence Directorate. This post was approved back in 1946. Beginning in 1947, all the functions of the CIA leadership were additionally added to it, and the director also received the status of adviser to the President of the United States on security and intelligence. Already in 1981, he completely controlled absolutely all the external and internal intelligence activities of the United States.
What the CIA does
The organization’s core responsibilities include obtaining various information. It is collected through a network of agents and by other means. But the CIA does not possess police powers and security functions within the country. That is, the organization does not have the right to intervene in the affairs of the police and other law enforcement services. Also, the CIA cannot call a citizen to court. Management performs all duties and functions that relate exclusively to intelligence activities.
The answer to the question of what the CIA is already received. Now consider in more detail the responsibilities of this organization. The CIA evaluates and compares the results gathered by intelligence, analyzes them, makes predictions. On their basis, the organization submits its recommendations to the government. It also provides overall guidance and coordination to all departments that collect national intelligence. The CIA monitors all potential threats to the United States, as well as hostile individuals who collect information in America or NATO.
Does the US Central Intelligence Agency use torture to collect information?
In 2007, the CIA acknowledged the fact that 2 tapes were destroyed that contained video recordings of interrogations conducted by their agents. The Office said that the procedure was quite “tough”. Michael Hayden, who was then the director, claimed (with reference to the opinion of the security services) that all the methods used were completely legal. However, evidence of the brutal actions of US intelligence was destroyed.
The Union for the Defense of the Citizens of America commented on this situation. His representative said that the destruction of these tapes was part of a long and large-scale process, thanks to which individuals were saved from criminal prosecution for abuse of their official position.
In 2008, Hayden admitted that during interrogations the method of “flooding” using water was used. But the Office does not consider this a torture, but calls it just a more severe interrogation. A total of 18 similar “non-torture” cases were used. Congress has put forward a proposal to ban the use of such influences to obtain the necessary information, but Bush threatened to veto the law. But already in 2009, Obama signed a document prohibiting torture.
Secrets
How is the CIA decrypted? Central Intelligence Agency. Accordingly, like any similar organization, especially of such a scale, it has its own big and small secrets. For example, it turned out that the CIA has its own prisons, which were previously unknown to anyone. They contained persons suspected of terrorism.
In 2006, Bush Jr., being the then president of the United States, officially recognized that such places really exist. According to him, prisons are necessary to ensure the security of the country and citizens, and they contain only especially dangerous criminals. In 2009, Obama decree closed all classified CIA facilities. And not only in the United States, but also located abroad.
CIA activities in recent years
Great changes took place in the world community, and the Office had to make changes to its structure. Special centers have been created that address issues of weapons of mass destruction, counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, international crime and drug trafficking, arms control and environmental protection.
In addition, partnerships were organized between the European Union country information collection system and a similar department of the CIA. Decryption of intelligence data of the EU special services is now available to America. A general analysis of sources is carried out on all issues related to US security.
The CIA made an active contribution to social activities in the form of regulation of services that are of interest in data collection. A closer cooperation has been created with other special services, especially in the field of new developments and studies that involve technical means.
The CIA emphasizes adaptation in the process of collecting information and often develops an individual approach to the analysis of key information. It also provides invaluable assistance in solving many of the problems that constantly arise after the end of the Cold War. Actively cooperates, if necessary, with many other countries.