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The Central Intelligence Agency was created in 1947 with the signing
Press Releases & of the National Security Act by President Truman. The National
Statements Security Act charged the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) with
coordinating the nation’s intelligence activities and correlating,
Frequently Asked evaluating and disseminating intelligence which affects national
Questions security.
Related Links George J. Tenet was confirmed on July 10, 1997, and is the current
Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). The DCI serves as the head of
the United States Intelligence Community, principal advisor to the
President for intelligence matters related to national security, and head of the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA).
The CIA is an independent agency, responsible to the President through the DCI, and accountable to
the American people through the intelligence oversight committees of the U.S. Congress.
CIA’s mission is to support the President, the National Security Council, and all officials who make
and execute the U.S. national security policy by:
Providing accurate, comprehensive, and timely foreign intelligence on national security topics.
Conducting counterintelligence activities, special activities, and other functions related to
foreign intelligence and national security, as directed by the President.
To accomplish its mission, the CIA engages in research, development, and deployment of high-
leverage technology for intelligence purposes. As a separate agency, CIA serves as an independent
source of analysis on topics of concern and also works closely with the other organizations in the
Intelligence Community to ensure that the intelligence consumer-whether Washington policymaker or
battlefield commander-receives the best intelligence possible.
As changing global realities have reordered the national security agenda, CIA has met these new
challenges by:
Creating special, multidisciplinary centers to address such high-priority issues such as
nonproliferation, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, international organized crime and
narcotics trafficking, environment, and arms control intelligence.
Forging stronger partnerships between the several intelligence collection disciplines and all-
source analysis.
Taking an active part in Intelligence Community analytical efforts and producing all-source
analysis on the full range of topics that affect national security.
Contributing to the effectiveness of the overall Intelligence Community by managing services
of common concern in imagery analysis and open-source collection and participating in
partnerships with other intelligence agencies in the areas of research and development and
technical collection.
By emphasizing adaptability in its approach to intelligence collection, the CIA can tailor its support to
key intelligence consumers and help them meet their needs as they face the issues of the post-Cold
War World.
The Deputy Director of Central Intelligence is John E. McLaughlin. The DDCI assists the Director in
his duties as head of the CIA and the Intelligence Community and exercises the powers of the
Director when the Director’s position is vacant or in the Director’s absence or disability.
The Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Homeland Security, Office of the Director of Central
Intelligence, ensures the flow of intelligence in support of homeland defense. The current director is
Winston P. Wiley.
The Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency is A.B. Krongard. Assisted by an Executive
Board that counts among its membership five mission centers with duties that enable the Agency to
carry out its mission--Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Security, Human Resources
and Global Support--the EXDIR manages the CIA on a day-to day basis.
The Directorate of Intelligence, the analytical branch of the CIA, is responsible for the production and
dissemination of all-source intelligence analysis on key foreign issues. The current director is
Jami Miscik.
The Directorate of Science and Technology creates and applies innovative technology in support of
the intelligence collection mission. The current director is Donald M. Kerr.
The Directorate of Operations is responsible for the clandestine collection of foreign intelligence. The
current director is James L. Pavitt.
The Center for the Study of Intelligence maintains the Agency's historical materials and promotes the
study of intelligence as a legitimate and serious discipline. The current director is Paul Johnson.
The Office of General Counsel advises the Director of Central Intelligence on all legal matters relating
to his roles as head of the CIA and the Intelligence Community and is the principal source of legal
counsel for the CIA and the DCI’s Community Management Staff. The current General Counsel is
Scott W. Muller.
The Office of Public Affairs advises the Director of Central Intelligence on all media, public policy, and
employee communications issues relating to his role as head of the CIA and the Intelligence
Community and is the CIA’s principal communications focal point for the media, the general public
and Agency employees. The current director is Bill Harlow.
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Page last updated: 03/06/2021 13:56:55.
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