‘It was all hands on deck’: how the CIA responded to 9/11
This article reflects on how the CIA transitioned from a Cold War-era agency to a counter-terrorism organization following the September 11 attacks. It discusses the subsequent 'war on terror,' the agency's involvement in controversial interrogation programs, and the long-term impact on its reputation.
Why it matters
Understanding the CIA's post-9/11 evolution is critical for analyzing modern US intelligence policy and the historical context of current geopolitical tensions.
The CIA director, George Tenet, with senior Bush administration staff at the presidential emergency operations center after the attacks of 9/11. Photograph: David Bohrer/US National Archives via Getty Images The CIA director, George Tenet, with senior Bush administration staff at the presidential emergency operations center after the attacks of 9/11. Photograph: David Bohrer/US National Archives via Getty Images September 11 2001 ‘It was all hands on deck’: how the CIA responded to 9/11 Veterans recall chaos and confusion as the attacks unfolded – followed by a ‘war on terror’ that left agency with a tarnished reputation
Prefer the Guardian on Google A generation of spies had lost an enemy but not yet found a role. Then came 9/11.
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