C.I.A.
American intelligence service
C.I.A. is the Central Intelligence Agency, the primary foreign intelligence service of the United States government.
The agency gathers and analyzes information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and conducts covert operations abroad.
In casual speech, C.I.A. often evokes secrecy, surveillance, or conspiracy: The C.I.A. has been involved in regime changes worldwide.
Also written CIA.
Methodical study of parts
- briefingConcise information session
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
- threat assessmentEvaluating potential for harm
HUMINT · SIGINT · sources · informant · reports · geopolitics · situational awareness · estimate
Power to act
- LangleyIntelligence agency location
- headquartersCentral command location
- directorOne who leads
- stationFixed stopping point
division · analyst · operative · officer · recruit · clearance · polygraph · contractor
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- agentOne who acts independently
- moleSubterranean insectivore
double agent · handler · asset · tradecraft · dead drop · sleeper cell · infiltration · exfiltration
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- trackingMonitoring location over time
interception · bugging · tailing · stakeout · drones · satellites · signals · metadata
Unacknowledged governmental intervention
- paramilitaryUnofficial armed organization
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
proxy war · drone strike · assassination · destabilization · Bay of Pigs · Iran-Contra · contractor · operation
analysis
Methodical study of parts
- briefingConcise information session
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
threat assessment · HUMINT · SIGINT · sources · informant · reports · geopolitics · situational awareness · estimate · Langley
agency
Power to act
- LangleyIntelligence agency location
- headquartersCentral command location
- directorOne who leads
station · division · analyst · operative · officer · recruit · clearance · polygraph · contractor · bureaucracy
spy
Covert information gatherer
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- agentOne who acts independently
mole · double agent · handler · asset · tradecraft · dead drop · sleeper cell · infiltration · exfiltration · black ops
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
tracking · interception · bugging · tailing · stakeout · drones · satellites · signals · metadata · watchlist
covert action
Unacknowledged governmental intervention
- paramilitaryUnofficial armed organization
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
intervention · proxy war · drone strike · assassination · destabilization · Bay of Pigs · Iran-Contra · contractor · operation · mission
C.I.A.Federal Bureau of Investigation
National criminal investigation agency
domestic intelligence · Department of Homeland Security · DHS · Homeland Security · ATF
C.I.A.FOIA
Federal transparency statute
WikiLeaks · open government · public record · free press · investigative journalism