Despite its bad reputation, the CIA is an independent agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers.It is the nation’s first line of defense, and accomplishes what others cannot accomplish and goes where others cannot go. It carries out its mission by:
- Collecting information that reveals the plans, intentions and capabilities of our adversaries and provides the basis for decision and action.
- Produces timely analysis that provides insight, warning and opportunity to the President and decisionmakers charged with protecting and advancing America’s interests.
- Conducts covert action at the direction of the President to preempt threats or achieve US policy objectives.
