Aerial view of the CIA headquarters, Langley, Virginia.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the United States’ premier intelligence organization, has a long and storied history. One of its most critical components is the Directorate of Operations (DO). The DO was initially known as the Directorate of Plans and was formed in 1951.
The creation of the Directorate of Plans was primarily to resolve organizational rivalry between the Office of Special Operations (OSO) and the Office of Policy Coordination (OPC). While the OSO focused on intelligence collection, the OPC was more inclined towards covert action.
To alleviate the situation, Allen Dulles was appointed on January 4, 1951, to the new position of Deputy Director for Plans (DDP). However, it was only on August 1, 1952, that the OPC and OSO were properly merged to form the Directorate of Plans. His appointment came at a time when the CIA was undergoing significant changes and expansion in response to the geopolitical challenges of the Cold War. As DDP, Dulles was instrumental in shaping the CIA’s strategic direction and operational focus during this critical period.
Dulles’s career in intelligence began during World War II, where he served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA. He was stationed in Switzerland, where he worked on operations to infiltrate and sabotage Nazi Germany After the war, Dulles returned to his law practice at Sullivan & Cromwell, but he remained connected to the world of intelligence and diplomacy.
Dulles’s background in law had a significant influence on his work at the CIA. His expertise and experience in these areas, along with his strong political connections, made him a prime candidate for a leadership role within the newly formed CIA.
Dulles was appointed as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) on February 26, 1953. He served in this position until November 29, 1961, making him the longest-serving DCI to date. Dulles’s appointment as DCI came after his tenure as the DDP from 1951 to 1953.
Evolution and Name Changes
The Directorate of Plans was renamed the Directorate of Operations in 1973. This change marked a shift in focus towards operational intelligence activities. The Directorate housed special groups for conducting counter-narcotics and counterterrorism, tracking nuclear proliferation, and other tasks.
In 2005, the Directorate underwent another name change, becoming the National Clandestine Service (NCS). This change reflected the increasing importance of clandestine operations in the post-9/11 world.
The NCS was renamed back to the Directorate of Operations (DO) in 2015. This change marked another shift in the organization’s history, reflecting the evolving needs and priorities of the intelligence community.
The Role of the DO
The DO serves as the clandestine arm of the CIA and the national authority for the coordination, de-confliction, and evaluation of clandestine operations across the Intelligence Community of the U.S. It is responsible for the collection of human intelligence—or HUMINT. HUMINT is intelligence collected by human beings—by spies operating on the ground—as opposed to intelligence gathered through technical means. Collecting human intelligence demands courage, discipline, guile, and wit. It is and always will be a very risky yet essential business. Often, it is the only way to get the information and insight our government needs to safeguard our country.
The DO is also responsible for the conduct of covert action. Covert actions are activities undertaken by the CIA to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where it is intended that the role of the U.S. Government will not be apparent or acknowledged publicly. These can include a variety of activities such as propaganda, political influence, paramilitary operations, and more. However, it’s important to note that these actions are conducted under unique circumstances and are directed by the President. The DO’s role in conducting covert action is a critical part of its mission to gather and analyze intelligence that informs U.S. policy and protects national security.
Conclusion
The role of the DO has evolved from resolving organizational rivalry to focusing on operational intelligence activities, then to emphasizing clandestine operations in the post-9/11 world, and finally to coordinating clandestine operations across the U.S. Intelligence Community. This evolution reflects the changing needs and priorities of the intelligence community in response to global events and threats.
The DO, with its various name changes and evolving roles, has been a critical component of the CIA since its inception. Its work in collecting human intelligence has been instrumental in shaping U.S. foreign policy and national security decisions. As the world continues to change, the DO’s role in gathering and analyzing intelligence will remain as vital as ever. Its work in intelligence gathering and operations will continue to be instrumental in safeguarding U.S. national security and advancing U.S. interests in this era of renewed. global competition.
Resource
Central Intelligence Agency
CIA.gov
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