The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent agency responsible for gathering and analyzing foreign intelligence for U.S. government officials in covert operations.

On May 14, 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed that CIA officials told her in 2002, that controversial interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, were legal and not being used on terrorist suspects. Such interrogation techniques were later found to have been in use, however Pelosi denied she knew of the practice saying that the agency mislead her and other members of Congress. In response to Pelosi's claim, Director Leon Panetta said that "it is not our policy or practice to mislead Congress," and that members of Congress were briefed on interrogation techniques in a detailed manner.WashingtonPost.com: CIA Director Rejects Pelosi's Charge That CIA Misled Her (May 15, 2009) CNN: Pelosi Accuses CIA of Misleading Her on Use of Waterboarding

Documents released in early March 2009 reveal that the Central Intelligence Agency destroyed 92 tapes of terror suspect interrogations. The acknowledgment of the destroyed tapes came in a letter from government officials in New York in a response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU who were seeking to learn more about the Bush administration's terror interrogation programs.Breitbart: [http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96M15S80&show_article=1 CIA destroyed 92... (March 2, 2009)

On February 16, 2009, unnamed governmental sources told the media that the U.S. intelligence agency arbitrated between the Pakistani and Indian governments following the November attacks on Mumbai. The effort was begun under the Bush administration and reemphasized by the Obama White House.Washington Post: CIA Helped India, Pakistan Share Secrets in Probe of Mumbai Siege (February 16, 2009)

On January 5, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated former congressman and Clinton Chief of Staff Leon Panetta to head up the CIA under his administration.New York Times: Panetta to Be Named C.I.A. Director (January 5, 2009) Two days later, The Washington Post reported that several Senate Democrats and CIA officials were dissatisfied with Obama's choice. Democratic members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence were reportedly upset that Obama did not consult them before announcing his decision. CIA officials stated that they were concerned that the Panetta appointment would do little to help the agency's inconsistent leadership and low morale among staff.Washington Post: Obama Is Under Fire Over Panetta Selection (January 7, 2009)

The CIA collects information in secret missions. The CIA is not a law enforcement agency; they do however cooperate with the FBI. The CIA is subject to oversight by the U.S. Congress. The information gathered is shared with the National Security Agency, the President's cabinet, and the Intelligence Oversight Board. The CIA is not permitted to 'spy' on domestic activities.

The CIA has four teams. CIA: CIA

The National Clandestine Service (NCS) is where the "spies" work. These undercover employees collect intelligence. Their work is top secret, and most people don't know exactly what they do, including friends and family.

The Directorate of Science and Technology studies intelligence that appears on TV, radio and in newspapers.

Both these teams report to the Directorate of Intelligence (DI). The DI employees write reports on the information brought to them.

The Directorate of Support does the hiring and training of all CIA employees.