The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is known for its covert operations and intelligence gathering, but there are some lesser-known secrets that even many insiders don’t know about. From its inception in 1947 to present day, the CIA has been at the forefront of some of the most significant intelligence missions in history. In this article, we’ll explore some of the surprising secrets of the CIA that you may not know.
1. The CIA has its own university
The CIA established its own university, the Sherman Kent School for Intelligence Analysis, in the late 1940s. This school offers courses in intelligence analysis, covert operations, and cyber security, among others. Many of the courses are classified, and the students who attend are hand selected by the CIA. In addition to providing training for CIA employees, the Sherman Kent School also offers courses for government officials and members of the military.
2. The CIA has an art collection
The CIA has a secret art collection that is valued at over $100 million. This collection was built up during the Cold War and was used as a way to promote American culture and democracy abroad. Many of the pieces in the collection are contemporary works by American artists, and they are displayed in CIA buildings around the world. Because many of the works are classified, they are not publicly accessible.
3. The CIA once planned to use cats as spies
In the 1960s, the CIA famously attempted to train cats to be spies. The idea was to surgically implant listening devices into cats and then use them to eavesdrop on conversations. Unfortunately, the project was not successful. The cats proved to be unreliable and often became distracted by their surroundings. The project was eventually abandoned.
4. The CIA runs a venture capital firm
In addition to its intelligence gathering and analysis operations, the CIA operates a venture capital firm called In-Q-Tel. The firm invests in technology startups that can be used for intelligence purposes. Some of the companies that In-Q-Tel has invested in include Palantir, which provides data analysis for intelligence agencies, and Keyhole, which developed the technology that became Google Earth.
5. The CIA has been involved in drug trafficking
One of the darkest secrets of the CIA is its involvement in drug trafficking. During the 1980s, the CIA worked with drug traffickers in South America as part of an effort to fund covert operations. This included the trafficking of cocaine into the United States. The CIA’s involvement in drug trafficking was exposed in the 1990s, and it remains a stain on the agency’s history.
In conclusion, the Central Intelligence Agency is much more than just a spy agency. Its secrets, both past and present, are fascinating and often surprising. From its own university to a secret art collection, the CIA is an agency full of surprises. While some of its secrets are controversial, they are a reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of intelligence gathering and analysis.
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