The CIA has been involved in numerous conflicts and covert operations around the world, though its involvement is often indirect, through intelligence gathering, supporting allied forces, or facilitating covert actions. Some key wars and conflicts where the CIA has played a significant role include:
- World War II (1939–1945) CIA's Precursor (OSS): Before the CIA was officially created in 1947, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) operated during World War II. The OSS conducted espionage, sabotage, and psychological warfare against Axis powers, including working with resistance groups in occupied Europe.
- Korean War (1950–1953) The CIA was involved in intelligence gathering, psychological operations, and supporting South Korean forces. It also assisted in covert actions against the North Korean regime.
- Vietnam War (1955–1975) The CIA played a significant role in intelligence, covert operations, and psychological warfare. The agency helped orchestrate the Phoenix Program, a controversial counterinsurgency operation aimed at neutralizing the Viet Cong infrastructure through assassinations, interrogations, and other covert activities. The CIA also supported South Vietnamese intelligence services and assisted with recruitment and operations against the North.
- Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) A failed covert operation where the CIA trained and supported Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime. The mission ended in disaster, with most of the exiles being captured or killed.
- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) The CIA played a central role in gathering intelligence that led to the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. The agency's surveillance of Soviet activities helped the U.S. avert a nuclear conflict.
- Dominican Civil War (1965) The CIA supported a U.S. intervention to prevent a communist government from taking power in the Dominican Republic. This involved aiding the military coup and influencing political outcomes.
- Cold War (1947–1991) Throughout the Cold War, the CIA was involved in a series of proxy wars and covert operations to combat the spread of communism, often supporting anti-communist regimes or insurgents around the world. Notable operations include: Iran (1953): The CIA helped orchestrate the coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah. Guatemala (1954): The CIA supported the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Jacobo Árbenz, fearing communist influence. Indonesia (1950s-1960s): The CIA supported anti-communist forces during the Indonesian National Revolution and later helped in the coup that resulted in General Suharto's rise to power. Afghanistan (1979–1989): The CIA's involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War is one of the most notable covert operations, as it provided weapons, training, and funding to the Afghan mujahideen fighting the Soviet Union, often through Pakistan’s ISI.
- Invasion of Grenada (1983) The CIA provided intelligence and logistical support during the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow the Marxist government in Grenada.
- Iran-Contra Affair (1980s) While not a direct war, the CIA was involved in the illegal sale of arms to Iran (which was under an arms embargo) and used the proceeds to fund Nicaraguan Contra rebels, who were fighting against the Sandinista government.
- First Gulf War (1990–1991) The CIA provided critical intelligence during the build-up to the Gulf War, focusing on Iraq’s military capabilities, and helped in gathering intelligence that supported the coalition forces’ success.
- Bosnian War (1992–1995) The CIA was involved in intelligence gathering and assisting the U.S. and NATO allies in supporting Bosnian Muslims and their government forces against Serbian and Croatian forces.
- War on Terror (2001–present) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the CIA played a central role in the War on Terror. Key involvements include: Afghanistan (2001–2021): The CIA was deeply involved in the intelligence and military operations to overthrow the Taliban regime, track down al-Qaeda operatives, and later in counterinsurgency and drone operations against militants. Iraq War (2003–2011): The CIA supported the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, particularly in terms of intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and also in the post-invasion period for tracking insurgents and terrorists. Counterterrorism and drone strikes (2010s-present): The CIA has been involved in extensive drone warfare and covert operations against terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, notably in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.
- Libyan Civil War (2011) The CIA provided support to Libyan rebels fighting against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, including intelligence and logistical assistance during NATO’s intervention.
- Syrian Civil War (2011–present) The CIA has been involved in supporting various opposition groups against the Assad regime, primarily through intelligence, training, and arms supplies. This support has been controversial and has fluctuated over the years depending on shifting U.S. policies in the region.
- Ukraine Conflict (2014–present) The CIA has provided intelligence and support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine. The CIA has been involved in countering Russian intelligence operations and supporting Ukrainian military efforts.
The CIA has been involved in numerous conflicts and covert operations around the world, though its involvement is often indirect, through intelligence gathering, supporting allied forces, or facilitating covert actions. Some key wars and conflicts where the CIA has played a significant role include:
1. World War II (1939–1945) CIA's Precursor (OSS): Before the CIA was officially created in 1947, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) operated during World War II. The OSS conducted espionage, sabotage, and psychological warfare against Axis powers, including working with resistance groups in occupied Europe.
2. Korean War (1950–1953) The CIA was involved in intelligence gathering, psychological operations, and supporting South Korean forces. It also assisted in covert actions against the North Korean regime.
3. Vietnam War (1955–1975) The CIA played a significant role in intelligence, covert operations, and psychological warfare. The agency helped orchestrate the Phoenix Program, a controversial counterinsurgency operation aimed at neutralizing the Viet Cong infrastructure through assassinations, interrogations, and other covert activities. The CIA also supported South Vietnamese intelligence services and assisted with recruitment and operations against the North.
4. Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) A failed covert operation where the CIA trained and supported Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime. The mission ended in disaster, with most of the exiles being captured or killed.
5. Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) The CIA played a central role in gathering intelligence that led to the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. The agency's surveillance of Soviet activities helped the U.S. avert a nuclear conflict.
6. Dominican Civil War (1965) The CIA supported a U.S. intervention to prevent a communist government from taking power in the Dominican Republic. This involved aiding the military coup and influencing political outcomes.
7. Cold War (1947–1991) Throughout the Cold War, the CIA was involved in a series of proxy wars and covert operations to combat the spread of communism, often supporting anti-communist regimes or insurgents around the world. Notable operations include: Iran (1953): The CIA helped orchestrate the coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah. Guatemala (1954): The CIA supported the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Jacobo Árbenz, fearing communist influence. Indonesia (1950s-1960s): The CIA supported anti-communist forces during the Indonesian National Revolution and later helped in the coup that resulted in General Suharto's rise to power. Afghanistan (1979–1989): The CIA's involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War is one of the most notable covert operations, as it provided weapons, training, and funding to the Afghan mujahideen fighting the Soviet Union, often through Pakistan’s ISI.
8. Invasion of Grenada (1983) The CIA provided intelligence and logistical support during the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow the Marxist government in Grenada.
9. Iran-Contra Affair (1980s) While not a direct war, the CIA was involved in the illegal sale of arms to Iran (which was under an arms embargo) and used the proceeds to fund Nicaraguan Contra rebels, who were fighting against the Sandinista government.
10. First Gulf War (1990–1991) The CIA provided critical intelligence during the build-up to the Gulf War, focusing on Iraq’s military capabilities, and helped in gathering intelligence that supported the coalition forces’ success.
11. Bosnian War (1992–1995) The CIA was involved in intelligence gathering and assisting the U.S. and NATO allies in supporting Bosnian Muslims and their government forces against Serbian and Croatian forces.
12. War on Terror (2001–present) Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the CIA played a central role in the War on Terror. Key involvements include: Afghanistan (2001–2021): The CIA was deeply involved in the intelligence and military operations to overthrow the Taliban regime, track down al-Qaeda operatives, and later in counterinsurgency and drone operations against militants. Iraq War (2003–2011): The CIA supported the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, particularly in terms of intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and also in the post-invasion period for tracking insurgents and terrorists. Counterterrorism and drone strikes (2010s-present): The CIA has been involved in extensive drone warfare and covert operations against terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, notably in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.
13. Libyan Civil War (2011) The CIA provided support to Libyan rebels fighting against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, including intelligence and logistical assistance during NATO’s intervention.
14. Syrian Civil War (2011–present) The CIA has been involved in supporting various opposition groups against the Assad regime, primarily through intelligence, training, and arms supplies. This support has been controversial and has fluctuated over the years depending on shifting U.S. policies in the region.
15. Ukraine Conflict (2014–present) The CIA has provided intelligence and support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine. The CIA has been involved in countering Russian intelligence operations and supporting Ukrainian military efforts.