Unravel the intricate dynamics between two of America's most influential intelligence agencies, the CIA and the FBI. Delve into their unique roles, historical interactions, and the subtle nuances that distinguish their operations in the realm of national security.
Central Intelligence Agency
CIA is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the United States federal government tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world.
- The FBI is a governmental agency belonging to the Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency (counterintelligence).
- Classified
- 25,000 agents and 35,000 staff in 2016
- Priorities
- Protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks
- Fight foreign intelligence operations and espionage
- Combat public corruption at all levels
CIA
The CIA’s primary mission is to “collect, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence to assist the president and senior US government policymakers in making decisions relating to national security.”
- It does not make policy, but is an independent source of foreign intelligence information for those who do.
- CIA is an international intelligence agency
Organizational Structure
The CIA has an executive office and four major directorates: the Directorate of Intelligence, the National Clandestine Service (which does clandestine intelligence collection and covert action), Directorate of Support, Directorate of Science and Technology, and Directorate of Information and Technology.
- The number of employees is estimated to be about 20,000.
Origin
The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the forerunner to the CIA
- It was an intelligence agency established in 1942 during World War II but was abolished after the war and its functions were transferred to the State and War Departments
- In 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 establishing the CIA
Joining the CIA or FBI
To join the CIA, you must be a US citizen above 18 years of age and a high school graduate.
- A college degree is required for overseas officer, intelligence analyst, and for other non-clerical positions. Knowledge of a foreign language is also helpful.
FBI
The FBI is primarily a law enforcement agency, collecting intelligence related to domestic security as well as investigating federal crimes.
- Counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, cyber-warfare, public corruption, the duties of protecting civil rights, dealing with racketeering, frauds, drugs and other serious crimes also come under FBI’s umbrella of responsibilities.
