75 years of the CIA: Not always the President’s darling

Before the Ukraine war, the CIA surprised everyone with many warnings about Russian plans. Otherwise, silence is the core business of the US foreign intelligence service. It was founded 75 years ago – and not every president was happy with it.

US President Biden is full of praise: At the CIA’s 75th anniversary celebrations at the headquarters in Langley (US state of Virginia), he repeatedly emphasized the agency’s global leadership. It is no exaggeration: the CIA is the best intelligence service in the whole world. It is thanks to her that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans for a war of aggression against Ukraine were recognized early on.

Weeks before Putin had Russian troops invade Ukraine at the end of February, there were surprisingly many and detailed reports from the USA about Russian troop movements, provided by the NSA and CIA. Such permissiveness of information is absolutely unusual.

Little is known about the work of the CIA. If they do, it’s often about failed operations, missed opportunities in the fight against terrorism, or illegal labor practices. These scandals became public through whistleblowers, journalists and official investigations.

Report brings torture to light

The excitement was particularly great when the US Senate published excerpts from the so-called “Torture” report in 2014. It analyzed the practices of the CIA after the September 11, 2001 attacks. President George W. Bush had allowed the secret services to use more stringent interrogation methods at the time. The report makes it clear how brutal the CIA was in doing this.

The report describes “excessive waterboarding” that simulates drowning. After the report was published, then-President Barack Obama acknowledged mistakes and spoke of “some things” that “went against our values”.

fickle relationships

The relationship between the CIA and US Presidents is mixed. Obama’s successor Donald Trump cultivated a deep distrust. The agency was corrupt and highly questionable, he said, in part because the CIA believed Russia had tried to sway the 2016 election in its favour.

Trump called the Fox News revelations ridiculous, false and misleading.

The mission: influence

It is part of the core business of the CIA to actively influence elections and governments. A small excerpt: In Tehran in 1953 the agency overthrew the pro-Moscow government under Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. In 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally ordered the killing of socialist Patrice Lumumba in Congo. The CIA was involved in coups and counter-revolutions in Indonesia and Central America, and was involved in Vietnam and Afghanistan. Drug trafficking and money laundering are said to have often served as a means to an end.

All of this leaves many skeptical and hostile to the CIA. On the other hand, there is admiration for the work of the secret service agents. Hollywood makes sure of that. Movies like “Zero Dark Thirty”, “Charlie Wilson’s War” or “Argo”, as well as Netflix series like “Homeland” have contributed to agents being glorified.

For years, the CIA has advised and influenced filmmakers to bring the desired heroic image to the screen. The Agency itself does the rest. On her website, she advertises prominently for new, young employees. Their promotional video resembles a blockbuster film trailer that promises every American their own heroic role.