What exactly does the CIA do?

Question

I mean like, what are their public duties? Because I can't find it online and I need to know for school.

Answer 1

If we new exactly, it wouldn't be the CIA

Answer 2

investgate

Answer 3

Gather and analyze intelligence obtained through spies, satellites, and other sources.

Answer 4

Spy on americans, overthrow leaders in other nations and install puppet governments.

Make people disappear

Answer 5

try youtube.

Answer 6

Great question.  The Central Intelligence Agency is focused on matters related to foreign intelligence.  Contrary to popular believe, they do not get involved in matters of domestic intelligence.  For the most part they leave that to the FBI and other intel agencies.  However, you probably could find cases where some CIA research affected U.S. citizens.  But for the most part, the focus on CIA intelligence collection efforts is foreign powers.  Today, the primary intelligence enemies are China, Middle East insurgents and those who support them, Russia, and many others.  

When people think about the CIA they most think about Cold War agents and spies wearing sunglasses and suits passing briefcases in a crowded Russian square.  The truth is, the majority of people who work for the CIA sit in an office and analyze data that comes from field agents.  Many of these guys are hardly ever even told much about the source - they simply have to analyze the data and compile it into some manner that can be reported at various levels of clearance.

There's also the fascinating research the CIA got involved with in the early 1970's related to psychic functioning.  They were afraid of alleged Russian advances in that field, so they spend a fair amount of money exploring whether psychic functioning has any value within the world of intel.  Check out the source below for a story about one of the CIA agents who was involved in those early days...fascinating stuff.

Hope that helps a little!  Simple answer - they focus on matters of foreign intelligence, not domestic.

Good luck!

-Ryan