History UsefulNotes / CIA

* ''Series/{{Castle}}'' and Kate got tangled with the CIA, who shanghaied them to help them with a case of theirs which could trigger world war III.

After UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the UsefulNotes/{{OSS}} was disbanded. With the onset of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, it was decided that a new intelligence agency was needed. The name "Central" reflects that it was originally supposed to be a clearinghouse among various other agencies. However, it became effectively a new OSS and acquired many veterans from that previous service. Originally, the agency hired people from UsefulNotes/IvyLeague alumni that had a ForeignCultureFetish for England. They dressed, talked, and acted like the English. In this period of desk gathering intelligence, the pipe-smoking professor was seen as the ideal officer.

After UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the UsefulNotes/{{OSS}} was disbanded. With the onset of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, it was decided that a new intelligence agency was needed. The name "Central" reflects that it was originally supposed to be a clearinghouse among various other agencies. However, it became effectively a new OSS and acquired many veterans from that previous service. Originally the agency hired people from UsefulNotes/IvyLeague agencies with agents that had a ForeignCultureFetish for England. They dressed, talked, and acted like the English. In this period of desk gathering intelligence, the pipe-smoking professor was seen as the ideal agent.

The typical depiction of the CIA in both fiction and the more speculative forms of conspiracy theory, usually portrays them as being somewhere between spies and assassins, as well as at times being allegedly responsible for the overthrow of foreign governments, democratic or not, in the name of American interests.[[note]]In reality, the CIA is prevented, by presidential order, from carrying out assassinations and government overthrows, as has been the case for decades. This does not, however, prevent them from hiring someone ''else'' to kill a target, or assisting a rebel group after its takeover - such as in Chile in 1973, when the CIA was aware in advance of UsefulNotes/AugustoPinochet's ''putsch'' and helped him consolidate power after it. Nor does it prevent them making coup-plotters ''aware in advance'' that they'll get CIA backing once they claim power.[[/note]] Creator/LiamNeeson's portrayal of a possible former CIA man in ''Film/{{Taken}}'' is very standard, as is Creator/HarrisonFord's portrayal in ''Film/PatriotGames''. The Agency's adventures in Nicaragua, among other places, can also make for particularly interesting reading; as can Peter Joseph's interview with John Perkins. It is at times implied that they are additionally a research organization of sorts, with an interest in experimental tactics that would usually be considered impossible by the mainstream public. (Such as MK-Ultra, the Psychic Warrior program(s), etc) The CIA, or at least many of its personnel, is also usually depicted as having a severe case of ChronicBackstabbingDisorder, with agents and administrators constantly betraying each other for various reasons, both good and bad.[[note]]In reality, the CIA is fiercely loyal to their officers (the accurate name for a CIA field operative), and at least tries to keep their agents (the accurate name for a source) alive. This is mostly pragmatism: letting an agent die means that they won't be providing information anymore, and if word gets out that the CIA doesn't protect their agents, it means they'll have a much more difficult time recruiting in the future.[[/note]] [[ParanoiaFuel This of course means agents have to live with the constant fear of betrayal.]]

Although it says "The Agency" up top here, actual CIA employees (and those in the know) tend to call it "The Company"; calling it "The Agency" is acceptable, but calling it "The CIA" in anything except perhaps first reference is considered incorrect. Other federal government types might call it the "[[UnusualEuphemism Other Government Agencies]]" (OGA), typically when its involvement in something or other is an [[OpenSecret open secret]]. In exceptionally double-cross-intensive stories you might see "The Company" ''and'' "The Agency" used to represent different factions of the CIA. "Langley"[[note]] not to be confused with the nearby HighSchool of the same name[[/note]] is another informal name that shows up often, because the CIA is headquartered in Langley, UsefulNotes/{{Virginia}}, just a few miles west of [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington, D.C.]]. Another colloquial name that often comes up is "The Farm", used for the covert training facility at Camp Peary.

* [[spoiler:Eda]] from ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' is secretly a CIA agent.

* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherPresentsBarracuda'' miniseries has several covert ops agents meeting to discuss Barracuda's actions. The CIA agents are actually represented as competent, if somewhat fixed in the past, especially compared to the NSA guy, who's a moronic Armchair General.

* The ''Film/CompanyMan'' is about a man who pretends to be a CIA agent to gain the respect of his in-laws. But a high-profile Soviet dancer decides [[DefectorFromCommieLand to defect]] and approaches the the man believing his lies. The CIA actually make him an agent just so they can get the credit and send him somewhere quiet...Usefulnotes/{{Cuba}}.
* In ''Film/AmericanUltra'', just about every government-related character is [=CIA=] (except for the military troops). The titular program was a [=CIA=] experiment to create SuperSoldier field agents. There are even a few scenes set at the headquarters in Langley.

* The Assignment series (every book has the word assignment in the title), features CIA agent Sam Durell.

* ''Series/{{Alias}}'' begins with main character Sydney Bristow recruited by the CIA and and assigned to a black ops unit called SD-6. Except that SD-6 isn't actually part of the CIA at all, it's a [[WesternTerrorists cell of a powerful terrorist group]] that tricks its own agents into thinking they're CIA. Sydney discovers this and is recruited as an agent of the ''real'' CIA, [[TheMole tasked with taking down SD-6]].

** Main character Michael Westen himself was a CIA agent, considering remarks made in the pilot he was under unofficial cover until he was burned. The titular "burn notice" is a document sent out to intelligence agencies that an agent is unreliable or even traitorous. The show has a retired CIA agent Michael Wilson as a consultant.

* ''Series/{{Homeland}}'': The main character is a CIA agent and intelligence and counter-terrorism is the main focus of the series.

* One episode of ''Series/DeadliestWarrior'' featured CIA agents versus those of the [[UsefulNotes/MoscowCentre KGB]].

* ''Series/{{MASH}}'' dealt with CIA interference a few times. The first was when an unexploded bomb landed in the main compound and the Navy commander helping disarm it identified it as "one of theirs". [[spoiler: It was actually a propaganda bomb filled with leaflets encouraging North Korea's surrender.]] CIA agent Col. Flagg was also a recurring antagonist in later seasons, sneaking into the camp for a number of anti-Communist witch hunts the staff blew off as frivolous at best.

* The CIA frequently appears in ''TabletopGame/DeltaGreen''. Due the secretive nature and conspiratorial nature of the eponomyous organization and the vast resources and know-how, Delta Green recruits a lot of CIA agents. CIA PlayerCharacters are from a vast range of professions, ranging from Intelligence Analysts, Case Officers, Clandestine agents, SAD/SOG and SAD/PAG operators.

** Naturally, they play a much more prominent role in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOps'', including a main playable character who is a CIA agent.

** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' showcases Big Boss's time as a CIA agent and his eventual deserting of the organization as a protest towards its corruption.

* [[spoiler: Julia]] reveals [[spoiler: her]]self to be an agent for the CIA about halfway through ''VideoGame/{{Aconcagua}}''.

* ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad!'' has its main character, Stan Smith, as a CIA agent.

* ''VideoGame/SplinterCell1'' has a mission in which Sam Fisher (who's from a very secret NSA division) must sneak into Langley itself to have a look into their servers and identify a potential mole.

* They get a mention in ''VideoGame/AlphaProtocol'', though the main group is a GovernmentAgencyOfFiction.

Nonetheless, the CIA has had its successes. For instance, a large part of the reason for the United States succeeding in the [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill gigantic]] DeathGlare contest during the Cuban Missile Crises was that America had [[TheMole a mole]] telling the U.S. government that the Soviets had less capacity than they claimed. Then again, said mole, Oleg Penkovsky, was later ratted out and executed[[note]]in large part because Penkovsky took crazy risks to try to get information to his CIA handlers, circumventing the normal, much slower methods that were in place. His breach of protocol, combined with his already questionable behavior, resulted in his capture, but notably, the CIA ''did not'' ask him to break procedure. He did it himself, likely knowing the risks.[[/note]], and was first discovered and contacted by [=MI6=].

The typical depiction of the CIA in both fiction and the more speculative forms of conspiracy theory, usually portrays them as being somewhere between spies and assassins, as well as at times being allegedly responsible for the overthrow of foreign governments, democratic or not, in the name of American interests.[[note]]In reality, CIA is prevented, by presidential order, from carrying out assassinations and government overthrows, and has been for decades. This does not, however, prevent them from hiring someone ''else'' to kill a target, or assisting a rebel group after its takeover - such as in Chile in 1973, when the CIA was aware in advance of UsefulNotes/AugustoPinochet's ''putsch'' and helped him consolidate power after it. Nor does it prevent them making coup-plotters ''aware in advance'' that they'll get CIA backing once they claim power.[[/note]] Creator/LiamNeeson's portrayal of a possible former CIA man in ''Film/{{Taken}}'' is very standard, as is Creator/HarrisonFord's portrayal in ''Film/PatriotGames''. The Agency's adventures in Nicaragua, among other places, can also make for particularly interesting reading; as can Peter Joseph's interview with John Perkins. It is at times implied that they are additionally a research organization of sorts, with an interest in experimental tactics that would usually be considered impossible by the mainstream public. (Such as MK-Ultra, the Psychic Warrior program(s), etc) The CIA, or at least many of its personnel, is also usually depicted as having a severe case of ChronicBackstabbingDisorder, with agents and administrators constantly betraying each other for various reasons, both good and bad.[[note]]In reality, the CIA is fiercely loyal to their officers (the accurate name for a CIA field operative), and at least tries to keep their agents (the accurate name for a source) alive. This is mostly pragmatism: letting an agent die means that they won't be providing information anymore, and if word gets out that the CIA doesn't protect their agents, it means they'll have a much more difficult time recruiting in the future.[[/note]] [[ParanoiaFuel This of course means agents have to live with the constant fear of betrayal.]]

-->-- '''[[Literature/TheBible John 8:32]]''', The CIA motto.

The typical depiction of the CIA in both fiction and the more speculative forms of conspiracy theory, usually portrays them as being somewhere between spies and assassins, as well as at times being allegedly responsible for the overthrow of foreign governments, democratic or not, in the name of American interests.[[note]]In reality, CIA is prevented, by presidential order, from carrying out assassinations and government overthrows, and has been for decades. This does not, however, prevent them from hiring someone ''else'' to kill a target, or assisting a rebel group after its takeover - such as in Chile in 1973, when the CIA was aware in advance of UsefulNotes/AugustoPinochet's ''putsch'' and helped him consolidate power after it. Nor does it prevent them making coup-plotters ''aware in advance'' that they'll get CIA backing once they claim power.[[/note]] Liam Neeson's portrayal of a possible former CIA man in ''Film/{{Taken}}'' is very standard, as is Harrison Ford's portrayal in ''Film/PatriotGames''. The Agency's adventures in Nicaragua, among other places, can also make for particularly interesting reading; as can Peter Joseph's interview with John Perkins. It is at times implied that they are additionally a research organization of sorts, with an interest in experimental tactics that would usually be considered impossible by the mainstream public. (Such as MK-Ultra, the Psychic Warrior program(s), etc) The CIA, or at least many of its personnel, is also usually depicted as having a severe case of ChronicBackstabbingDisorder, with agents and administrators constantly betraying each other for various reasons, both good and bad.[[note]]In reality, the CIA is fiercely loyal to their officers (the accurate name for a CIA field operative), and at least tries to keep their agents (the accurate name for a source) alive. This is mostly pragmatism: letting an agent die means that they won't be providing information anymore, and if word gets out that the CIA doesn't protect their agents, it means they'll have a much more difficult time recruiting in the future.[[/note]] [[ParanoiaFuel This of course means agents have to live with the constant fear of betrayal.]]

The CIA has been controversial, having at times been accused of incompetence, immoral actions, or both. Notably, the Church Committee hearings of 1975 revealed a long history of abuses, from domestic espionage to assassination plots against foreign leaders, which cemented its often-negative portrayal in the media - later scandals like Iran-Contra and its failure to predict either the fall of the Soviet Union or the [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror 9/11 terror attacks]] did nothing to assuage this. In some fictional portrayals, they are often regarded as being TheMenInBlack or an omnipotent "secret government" that [[TheManBehindTheMan pulls the strings]] on American foreign policy behind the senes. This portrayal is undoubtedly an exaggeration, as if the CIA was really that skillful, we might ask why it took us so long to win the Cold War. Of course, maybe [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories that's what they wanted]].

Although it says "The Agency" up top here, actual CIA employees (and those in the know) tend to call it "The Company"; calling it "The Agency" is acceptable, but calling it "The CIA" in anything except perhaps first reference is considered incorrect. Other federal government types might call it the "[[UnusualEuphemism Other Government Agencies]]" (OGA), typically when its involvement in something or other is an [[OpenSecret open secret]]. In exceptionally double-cross-intensive stories you might see "The Company" ''and'' "The Agency" used to represent different factions of the CIA. "Langley"[[note]] not to be confused with the nearby HighSchool of the same name[[/note]] is another informal name that shows up often, because the CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia, just a few miles west of [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington, D.C.]]. Another colloquial name that often comes up is "The Farm", used for the covert training facility at Camp Peary.

When they appear in fiction alongside the UsefulNotes/{{FBI}}, America's other famous intelligence agency, expect to see CIAEvilFBIGood in action, although the reverse is not unheard of.

When they appear in fiction alongside the UsefulNotes/{{FBI}}, America's other famous intelligence agency, expect to see CIAEvilFBIGood in action.

The typical depiction of the CIA in both fiction and the more speculative forms of conspiracy theory, usually portrays them as being somewhere between spies and assassins, as well as at times being allegedly responsible for the overthrow of anti-American foreign governments.[[note]]In reality, CIA is prevented, by presidential order, from carrying out assassinations and government overthrows, and has been for decades. This does not, however, prevent them from hiring someone ''else'' to kill a target, or assisting a rebel group after its takeover - such as in Chile in 1973, when the CIA was aware in advance of UsefulNotes/AugustoPinochet's ''putsch'' and helped him consolidate power after it. Nor does it prevent them making coup-plotters ''aware in advance'' that they'll get CIA backing once they claim power.[[/note]] Liam Neeson's portrayal of a possible former CIA man in ''Film/{{Taken}}'' is very standard, as is Harrison Ford's portrayal in ''Film/PatriotGames''. The Agency's adventures in Nicaragua, among other places, can also make for particularly interesting reading; as can Peter Joseph's interview with John Perkins. It is at times implied that they are additionally a research organization of sorts, with an interest in experimental tactics that would usually be considered impossible by the mainstream public. (Such as MK-Ultra, the Psychic Warrior program(s), etc) The CIA, or at least many of its personnel, is also usually depicted as having a severe case of ChronicBackstabbingDisorder, with agents and administrators constantly betraying each other for various reasons, both good and bad.[[note]]In reality, the CIA is fiercely loyal to their officers (the accurate name for a CIA field operative), and at least tries to keep their agents (the accurate name for a source) alive. This is mostly pragmatism: letting an agent die means that they won't be providing information anymore, and if word gets out that the CIA doesn't protect their agents, it means they'll have a much more difficult time recruiting in the future.[[/note]] [[ParanoiaFuel This of course means agents have to live with the constant fear of betrayal.]]

The CIA has been controversial, having at times been accused of incompetence, immoral actions, or both. Notably, the Church Committee hearings of 1975 revealed a long history of abuses, from domestic espionage to assassination plots against foreign leaders, which cemented its often-negative portrayal in the media - later scandals like Iran-Contra and its failure to predict either the [[TheGreatPoliticsMessUp fall of the Soviet Union]] or the [[UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror 9/11 terror attacks]] did nothing to assuage this. In some fictional portrayals, they are often regarded as being TheMenInBlack or an omnipotent "secret government" that [[TheManBehindTheMan pulls the strings]] on American foreign policy behind the senes. This portrayal is undoubtedly an exaggeration, as if the CIA was really that skillful, we might ask why it took us so long to win the Cold War. Of course, maybe [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories that's what they wanted]].

The CIA has been controversial, having at times been accused of incompetence, immoral actions, or both. In some fictional portrayals, they are often regarded as being TheMenInBlack. This portrayal, at least, is an exaggeration, as if the CIA was really that skillful, we might ask why it took us so long to win the Cold War. Of course, maybe [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories that's what they wanted]].

* Appears in ''Manga/DetectiveConan'' investigating the Black Organization.

* ''Series/{{Alias}}'' begins with main character Sydney Bristow recruited by the CIA and and assigned to a black ops unit called SD-6. Except that SD-6 isn't actually part of the CIA at all, it's a [[WesternTerrorists cell of a powerful terrorist group]] that tricks its own agents into thinking they're CIA. Sydney discovers this and is recruited as an agent of the ''real'' CIA, [[ReverseMole tasked with taking down SD-6]].

[[folder: Anime ]]

* One of the main employers of ''Manga/{{Golgo 13}}''.

* In ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'', the [[BalkanizeMe American Empire]] has an identical espionage agency also called the CIA that fits all the tropes. They are most prominently featured in the episode "A Perfect Day For A Jungle Cruise" assisting Section 9 in tracking a serial killer. [[spoiler: Turns out they trained him for use in a Phoenix Program-style operation in Latin America and are only co-operating with Section 9 in the hopes they would kill him and they could cover it all up. They don't]].

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* ''Comicbook/ThePunisherPresentsBarracuda'' miniseries has several covert ops agents meeting to discuss Barracuda's actions. The CIA agents are actually represented as competent, if somewhat fixed in the past, especially compared to the NSA guy, who's a moronic Armchair General.

[[folder: Film ]]

* In ''Film/MissionImpossibleFilmSeries'', the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) is an unofficial branch of the CIA. VanessaRedgrave even says "Are you another Company man?" to TomCruise.

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Music ]]

[[folder: TabletopGames]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

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The typical depiction of the CIA in both fiction and the more speculative forms of conspiracy theory, usually portrays them as being somewhere between spies and assassins, as well as at times being allegedly responsible for the overthrow of anti-American foreign governments[[note]]In reality, CIA is prevented, by presidential order, from carrying out assassinations and government overthrows, and has been for decades. This does not, however, prevent them from hiring someone ''else'' to kill a target, or assisting a rebel group after its takeover - such as in Chile in 1973, when the CIA was aware in advance of UsefulNotes/AugustoPinochet's ''putsch'' and helped him consolidate power after it.[[/note]]. Liam Neeson's portrayal of a possible former CIA man in ''Film/{{Taken}}'' is very standard, as is Harrison Ford's portrayal in ''Film/PatriotGames''. The Agency's adventures in Nicaragua, among other places, can also make for particularly interesting reading; as can Peter Joseph's interview with John Perkins. It is at times implied that they are additionally a research organization of sorts, with an interest in experimental tactics that would usually be considered impossible by the mainstream public. (Such as MK-Ultra, the Psychic Warrior program(s), etc) The CIA, or at least many of its personnel, is also usually depicted as having a severe case of ChronicBackstabbingDisorder, with agents and administrators constantly betraying each other for various reasons, both good and bad[[note]]In reality, the CIA is fiercely loyal to their officers (the accurate name for a CIA field operative), and at least tries to keep their agents (the accurate name for a source) alive. This is mostly pragmatism: letting an agent die means that they won't be providing information anymore, and if word gets out that the CIA doesn't protect their agents, it means they'll have a much more difficult time recruiting in the future[[/note]]. [[ParanoiaFuel This of course means agents have to live with the constant fear of betrayal.]]

%%* ''Series/{{Alias}}''

Nonetheless, the CIA has had its successes. For instance, a large part of the reason for the United States succeeding in the [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill gigantic]] DeathGlare contest during the Cuban Missile Crises was that America had [[TheMole a mole]] telling the U.S. government that the Soviets had less capacity than they claimed. Then again, said mole, Oleg Penkovsky, was later ratted out and executed[[note]]in large part because Penkovsky took crazy risks to try to get information to his CIA handlers, circumventing the normal, much slower methods that were in place. His breach of protocol, combined with his already questionable behavior, resulted in his capture, but notably, the CIA ''did not'' ask him to break procedure. He did it himself, likely knowing the risks.[[/note]], and was first discovered and contacted by MI6.

* ''Manga/Jormungand'' prominently features the CIA, especially in the latter half of the series. It tends to play up the negative associations and clichés of the agency, with some operatives being manipulative, sadistic and jingoistic, though most factions presented in the story are little better. The CIA may oppose our heroes, but [[VillainProtagonist in this case those are greedy arms dealers and dangerous mercenaries]].

Although it says "The Agency" up top here, actual CIA employees (and those in the know) tend to call it "The Company"; calling it "The Agency" is acceptable, but calling it "The CIA" in anything except perhaps first reference is considered a mistake. Other federal government types might call it the "[[UnusualEuphemism Other Government Agencies]]" (OGA), typically when its involvement in something or other is an [[OpenSecret open secret]]. In exceptionally double-cross-intensive stories you might see "The Company" ''and'' "The Agency" used to represent different factions of the CIA. "Langley"[[note]] not to be confused with the nearby HighSchool of the same name[[/note]] is another informal name that shows up often, because the CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia, just a few miles west of [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington, D.C.]]. Another colloquial name that often comes up is "The Farm", used for the covert training facility at Camp Peary.

Although it says "The Agency" up top here, actual CIA employees (and those in the know) tend to call it "The Company;" calling it "The Agency" is acceptable, but calling it "The CIA" in anything except perhaps first reference is hitting a FandomBerserkButton. Other federal government types might call it the "[[UnusualEuphemism Other Government Agencies]]" (OGA), typically when its involvement in something or other is an [[OpenSecret open secret]]. In exceptionally double-cross-intensive stories you might see "The Company" ''and'' "The Agency" used to represent different factions of the CIA. "Langley"[[note]] not to be confused with the nearby HighSchool of the same name[[/note]] is another informal name that shows up often, because the CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia, just a few miles west of [[UsefulNotes/WashingtonDC Washington, D.C.]]. Another colloquial name that often comes up is "The Farm", used for the covert training facility at Camp Peary.