The war between the CIA and the NSA.

Last edited Fri May 9, 2014, 10:06 AM - Edit history (1)

In the post 911 era there was consolidation of the agencies under a single director of national intelligence.

The missions and culture of the CIA and NSA are very different. CIA leadership is dominated by IVY league alumni and established financial interests in the united states. NSA leadership is dominated by career military officers. Both institutions compete for resources and attention from the political classes. It's clear from the snowden revelations that the depth and breadth of NSA monitoring is so compete that the CIA who for years worked under the cover of anonymity and deniability was suddenly having all their work documented by a sister competitor agency. To understand the scope of these capabilities one needs to remember how Qatar was able to solve the murder of a Hamas operative by the Mossad reviewing captured signals and video feeds. In the modern era nothing much gets by the NSA, this is threatening to an institution used to deniability and a free hand(CIA). Note the group that first hired snowden and cleared him for top secret work was the CIA.

These are some recent milestones in the battle.

Round 1, Petraeus (CIA head) brags your appliances are watching you... (NSA operations)

CIA Chief: We’ll Spy on You Through Your Dishwasher

Round 2, Petraeus loses his job after his gmail is compromised revealing an affair.

Petraeus Brought Down by Email (Technically, Gmail)

Round 3, "Ex-CIA employee" Edward Snowden reveals the extent of NSA surveillance.

Round 4, NSA stalwart Dianne Feinstein attacks the CIA for "hiding" torture documents.

Round 5, it's the CIA's turn....