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Central Intelligence Agency, CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a foreign intelligence service of the US Government. It is focused on overseas intelligence gathering and analyzing security information.

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CIA logo

Ex-CIA officer jailed for 10 years after spying for China

Alexander Yuk Ching Ma was convicted of passing "a large volume" of classified defense information to Chinese spies.
CrimeSeptember 12, 2024
Taylor Swift performs on stage during the "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, UK

CIA: Plot sought to kill 'huge number' at Swift Vienna show

Taylor Swift canceled three sold-out concerts in Vienna after US intelligence uncovered a plot to attack the venue.
TerrorismAugust 29, 2024
Armin Papperger at the Ukraine Recovery Conference

Germany decries Russian plot to assassinate Rheinmetall boss

German politicians voice horror over reports that Russia plotted to murder the head of German arms maker Rheinmetall.
PoliticsJuly 12, 2024
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich, charged with espionage appears for a hearing at the Sverdlovsk Regional Court.

Russia begins espionage trial for US journalist Gershkovich

Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison, the first US journalist jailed in Russia for espionage since the Soviet era.
PoliticsJune 26, 202402:17 min
DW Arts.21 (Sendungslogo Composite)

Why Berlin remains an espionage hot spot

Berlin was, and still is, the scene of great spy stories. We search for clues in the German capital.
CultureMarch 30, 202426:05 min
Russian security forces seen outside Moscow's Crocus City Hall concert venue

Moscow attack: Why intelligence agencies share information

When it comes to fighting terrorism, intelligence agencies are surprisingly generous about sharing information.
ConflictsMarch 27, 2024
David Petraeus, an older man in a suit and tie

Ex-CIA head Petraeus weighs risk of growing Gaza conflict

DW's Ines Pohl spoke with former CIA director David Petraeus about the potential for a regional war in the Middle East.
ConflictsJanuary 5, 202404:29 min
Picture of US President John F. Kennedy's motorcade as it traveled through Dallas in 1963.

JFK assassination: 60 years on, are we nearer the truth?

From Oliver Stone's "JFK" to books such as "Case Closed," many have tried to uncover the truth behind the assassination.
HistoryNovember 21, 2023
DW Arts Unveiled (Sendungslogo Composite)

The devilish tricks of spies - Arts Unveiled

The Cold War - a heyday of secret services and their deceptive, sometimes deadly inventions.
CultureNovember 11, 202326:06 min
Two Chinese paramilitary policemen patroling the streets

China accuses citizen of spying for CIA

This is the second time in a month that China has accused a citizen of spying for the US spy agency, the CIA.
PoliticsAugust 21, 2023
Surveillance cameras adorned with China's flag

Beijing alleges Chinese national spied for CIA

China said a Chinese national signed on with the US spy agency and received training to conduct espionage activities.
PoliticsAugust 11, 2023
Nord Stream explosion (Graphics)

Who blew up Russia's Nord Stream pipeline?

Investigators around the world face challenging case: The attack on Russia's Nord Stream pipeline. Who did it?
PoliticsJuly 18, 202313:05 min
CIA Director William Burns in US Senate

CIA chief made secret trip to China in May — US official

An unnamed US official said CIA head William Burns visited Beijing to stress the need for "open lines of communication."
PoliticsJune 2, 2023
Cartoon shows a worried Statue of Liberty holding a hand over a leaking hole in a pipeline marked "USA - SECRET."

US intelligence leak: What we know so far

At least 50 Pentagon documents, some classified as secret, have recently surfaced online.
PoliticsApril 14, 2023
The Pentagon in Washington, DC

US probing possible leak of Ukraine war documents

Documents appearing to divulge secret information about US assistance to Ukraine have appeared online.
ConflictsApril 8, 2023
CM-11 tanks maneuver during a 2-day live-fire drill of the Taiwanese military

China has doubts on ability to invade Taiwan, CIA chief says

US intelligence chief William Burns added that it was still important to take the threat to the island very seriously.
PoliticsFebruary 26, 2023
An autmoatic rifle that was found near the body of Osama Bin Laden during the raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, is on display with a brick from the compound in the refurbished museum in the CIA headquarters building in Langley

CIA museum is for spies' eyes only

The museum is closed to the public, but some items from the spy agency's most famous operations have been declassified.
HistorySeptember 25, 2022
Grain pictured in a field in the Odesa region in southern Ukraine

Kyiv, Moscow expected to sign grain deal

UN head Antonio Guterres is in Istanbul amid efforts to reach a deal over Ukraine's grain exports. DW has the latest.
ConflictsJuly 21, 2022
A courtroom sketch of Joshua Schulte seated with his defense team

US: Ex-CIA coder convicted over massive data leak

Joshua Schulte, accused of committing the largest theft of classified information in CIA history, has been convicted.
CrimeJuly 14, 2022
An old American car drives by the US Embassy of Havana

US intelligence finds likely source of Havana Syndrome

US intelligence agencies say the so-called Havana syndrome is likely caused by a electromagnetic energy source.
HealthFebruary 2, 2022
The Seal in the lobby of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA headquarters in Langley.

CIA cast doubt on 'Havana syndrome' being a foreign attack

Most cases of the mystery illness are unlikely to have been caused by a foreign power, says an interim CIA report.
PoliticsJanuary 20, 2022
President John F. Kennedy rides in a motorcade with his wife Jacqueline moments before he was shot and killed

US releases cache of secret JFK assassination files

The files show investigators probing the 1963 assassination of US President John F. Kennedy cast their net wide.
CrimeDecember 16, 2021
Close-ups of two computers showing the website of Israel-made Pegasus spyware

Surveillance from Watergate to Pegasus

Surveillance methods used by governments have become more and more sophisticated — and cheaper.
PoliticsJuly 22, 2021
The CIA's headquarters in Langley, Virginia

FBI shoot armed man trying to enter CIA headquarters

The man has been transferred to a hospital after a failed attempt to get into the high-security building.
CrimeMay 4, 2021
The car in which Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was riding when he was killed

Iran's security apparatus under scrutiny

The assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has cast a damming light over Iran's security apparatus.
PoliticsNovember 28, 2020
CIA logo

US: Ex-CIA officer charged with spying for China

A former employee of the CIA and FBI has been charged with passing on secret information to China.
CrimeAugust 18, 2020
Iran | Hinrichtung | Mahmud Musavi Majd

Iran executes man convicted of spying for CIA, Mossad

Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was accused of spying on the late former Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani.
PoliticsJuly 20, 2020
Protest in Iran After US Airstrike Kills Iranian Commander

Iran to execute man accused of helping US spy on Soleimani

The man is accused of passing on information about the whereabouts of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani to the US.
PoliticsJune 9, 2020
Russland Scorpions 1989

'Wind of Change': The Scorpions and the CIA

A new podcast explores the rumor that the US intelligence agency, and not the Scorpions, wrote "Wind of Change."
MusicMay 25, 2020
Pope Pius XII

What did the Vatican know about the Nazi escape routes?

The Vatican is openign Pope Pius XII's archives. What did he know about Nazis fleeing to South America via 'ratlines'?
HistoryMarch 1, 2020
Symbolbild | Geheimdienst

How did US and Germany spy on world leaders?

Starting in the 1970s, Germany's BND and the US's CIA used a Swiss front company to spy on world leaders for decades.
PoliticsFebruary 12, 2020
Swiss logo for Crypto AG

Report: US, Germany spied on countries via Swiss firm

Western intelligence seized top secret information on global powers through their hidden control of an encryption firm.
CrimeFebruary 11, 2020
Iranian police prepare a public execution

Iran sentences 'CIA spy' to death

A spokesman for Iran's judiciary has said one man was to be executed as a US spy.
CrimeFebruary 4, 2020
A government supporter chants slogans with ayatollah's picture in the background

Khamenei says conspiracy behind Iran unrest

The government claims some of the protesters got "CIA-funded training" under the cover of becoming citizen-journalists.
PoliticsNovember 27, 2019
CIA officer sentenced to 19 years, Jerry Chun Shing Lee

Ex-CIA officer jailed for 19 years for spying for China

US prosecutors have said the former agent 'betrayed' his country by sharing sources of covert intelligence with China.
Law and JusticeNovember 23, 2019
Tanker shooting

CIA-trained Afghan forces 'committed war crimes'

Afghan security units are suspected of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances among other abuses.
CrimeOctober 31, 2019
An Iranian flag on stage with a US flag

Iran orders death sentence for espionage

Ties between Tehran and Washington have deteriorated dramatically since the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal.
PoliticsOctober 1, 2019
A poster of Julian Assange with an american flag on his mouth

Spanish security firm spied on Julian Assange — report

The London Ecuadorian Embassy's security firm has been accused of spying on Julian Assange on behalf of the CIA.
PoliticsSeptember 27, 2019
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin

Trump's stance on intelligence questioned

The US lost a top spy in Russia - and President Trump faces tensions with his intelligence services.
PoliticsSeptember 11, 2019
US and Iranian flags

Iran claims it dismantled CIA spy ring

The Intelligence Ministry in Tehran said it had detained 17 agents it suspected of being US spies.
PoliticsJuly 22, 2019
Iran flag flying

Iran hangs CIA defense 'spy'

Jalal Hajizavar, who used to work for Iran's state-run aerospace organization, was convicted of espionage.
CrimeJune 22, 2019
Silhouette of man at Grand Central Station in New York

Ex-CIA agent guilty of spying for China

A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling "top secret" information to Chinese agents.
CrimeMay 18, 2019
Former CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee

Ex-CIA officer admits to conspiring with China

A former CIA officer who is a US citizen from Hong Kong has been charged with conspiring with China to commit espionage.
CrimeMay 2, 2019
Martin Behrens (Ronald Zehrfeld) in "Das Ende der Wahrheit"

Politics, mercenaries and conspiracies

At the premiere of "Blame Game," DW spoke with director Philipp Leinemann about spying and secret CIA operations.
CultureJanuary 21, 2019
Chile gedenkt Opfer der Militärdiktatur

Germany cagey on spy cooperation in Pinochet's Chile

The German Foreign Ministry has refused to shed light on the BND's cooperation with the CIA in Augusto Pinochet's Chile.
PoliticsJanuary 3, 2019
Jamal Khashoggi

Khashoggi's final words were 'I can't breathe': report

A transcript of an audio recording of Jamal Khashoggi's final moments has revealed details of the journalist's murder.
CrimeDecember 10, 2018
Saudi Arabien Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman

Turkey seeks to arrest Saudis over Khashoggi case

Turkish prosecutor issues arrest warrants for two Saudis implicated in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Law and JusticeDecember 5, 2018
Adel al-Jubeir

Saudi Arabia defends prince from Khashoggi murder claims

Adel al-Jubeir says claims that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are lies.
PoliticsNovember 20, 2018
Jamal Khashoggi

Reports: CIA finds Saudi prince ordered killing

The CIA reportedly has high confidence that the order to kill Jamal Khashoggi came from the highest level.
PoliticsNovember 17, 2018
a protest outside the White House

CIA chief heads to Turkey for Khashoggi case

Haspel's trip follows President Trump saying he was unsatisfied with Saudi Arabia's explanation of Khashoggi's death.
PoliticsOctober 23, 2018