The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the stuff of legend.

On the one hand, they're often portrayed as heroic Mission Impossible or James Bond saviors of democracy. On the other, they've been accused of orchestrating violent governmental coups, assassinations, torture, and mind-control experiments, sometimes on their own citizens.

They're definitely America's oldest and most powerful intelligence unit, but is the CIA a force for good in the world, or the dark weaver of its' most bloody chaos. In this deep-dive episode, Jim and Freddy look into the provable history of the CIA, as well as the rumored conspiracies, in an attempt to determine the truth.

Sit back, relax, and listen as we try to figure out what's really going on with the most powerful and secretive organization in the world.

(Discussion Starts at 4:00)

Resources:

"Surprise, Kill, Vanish" by Annie Jacobsen

"National Security and Double Government" by Michael J. Glennon

"Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner

"The Jakarta Method" by Vincent Blevins