CIA and FBI – The differences you need to know

CIA vs FBI The differences you need to know

In the modern era, every country has its own intelligence agency – this fact is probably not unknown to any of us. Intelligence agencies collect important secret information in various ways, which are later delivered to the country’s policymakers after intensive analysis. National policymakers of the country keep the information provided by the intelligence agency in mind while making any decision. In addition, intelligence agencies are always on the alert to ensure that no foreign country can seize important information. Explore the key differences between the CIA and FBI. Understand their unique roles, functions, and how they contribute to national security.

If global terrorist organizations are secretly planning an attack, intelligence agencies also play an important role in thwarting their plans by taking appropriate action after collecting their advance information. These are actually a very small list of their vast activities. In reality, the list of activities of an intelligence agency is much longer.

Let’s go to America

When World War II was going on, the main responsibility of American intelligence agencies was to collect various important information about the military operations of the German-led Axis powers and hand it over to the Allied military commanders. In this case, American intelligence agencies received assistance from their own intelligence agencies of countries like France and England, since these countries participated in the World War on the side of America. After the end of World War II, a kind of war situation was created between America and the Soviet Union, America’s main enemy in ideological terms. Immediately after the end of World War II, when the Soviet Union announced the spread of communism throughout the world, America also took various initiatives to prevent communism and preserve capitalism. Thus, the Cold War began between the two superpowers. During the Cold War, which lasted for almost five decades, the main responsibility of American intelligence agencies was to extract secret information from the Soviet Union and its allies. When the Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the goals and methods of operation of American intelligence agencies also changed dramatically.

When we think of American intelligence agencies, two names usually come to mind – FBI and CIA. Many of us have learned about the activities, goals, or adventurous secret operations of these two intelligence agencies through Hollywood movies or thriller books. Intelligence agencies usually want to keep all their activities hidden from the general public, which is why the general public is very interested in intelligence agencies. Many people think that the work and goals of these two intelligence agencies may be the same. But is it really so? Are the FBI and the CIA two different names for the same intelligence agency? Or are they two different intelligence agencies? Do the organizational structure and working methods of the two differ? Let’s find out the answers to these questions. If you know about the main differences between the two intelligence agencies, the answers to these questions will be very easy to find.

Two intelligence agencies – CIA and FBI

The full form of FBI is ‘Federal Bureau of Investigation’. In 1908, US Attorney General Charles Bonaparte asked some newly appointed federal intelligence officers to report to the Chief Inspector of the Department of Justice, Stanley W. Finch. A year later, the Chief Inspector’s office was renamed the ‘Bureau of Investigation’. Since 1935, it has been called the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On the other hand, the full form of CIA is (Central Intelligence Agency). CIA is the successor organization of OSS (Office of Strategic Service). At the end of World War II, in 1944, General William Donovan, the chief administrative officer of OSS, wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt. In the letter, he proposed the formation of a central intelligence agency, which would have much more power than the traditional OSS. Later, the CIA was formed under the National Security Act of 1947.

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Now let’s move on to the scope and methods of the two organizations. In very simple terms, the FBI mainly works on America’s internal affairs. For example, if intelligence activities are to be conducted to prevent any possible terrorist attacks inside America, then that responsibility will fall on the FBI. Since America is the guardian of global capitalism, naturally the country has several enemy countries. If any foreign country wants to collect secret information from inside America, then the FBI is responsible for preventing it. In addition, the FBI shouldered the responsibility for investigating serious crimes such as bank robberies or kidnappings. Another major difference between the CIA and FBI is that the FBI can enforce the law if necessary, which the CIA cannot. The main task of the CIA is to collect important information or conduct intelligence operations in the interests of the country’s national security from any country in the world outside America. The CIA is playing an important role in those countries where America is still at war.

 CIA’s executive office has four main branches

These are –

1) The Directorate of Intelligence: Collects and analyzes various types of intelligence.

2) The National Clandestine Service: Secretly collects various information and conducts intelligence operations when necessary.

3) The Directorate of Support: Performs all kinds of administrative duties.

4) The Directorate of Science and Technology: Invents new technologies through research to support various intelligence operations and activities.

The FBI is basically a part of the US Department of Justice. Its main branches are –

1) National Security Branch

2) Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch

3) Human Resources Branch

4) Science and Technology Branch

5) Information and Technology Branch

Now let’s talk about the qualifications required to get hired in two different intelligence agencies. To get hired in the CIA, the first condition is to be an American citizen and be over eighteen years of age. The next condition is to have at least a high school diploma and to work abroad, a college degree.

Knowing a language outside of America will be given priority. On the other hand, the primary condition for getting hired in the FBI is to be an American citizen and not have any criminal record in the past. Then, you must have a college degree and must mandatorily participate in a test called a ‘background test’. In addition, in the case of the FBI, you have to pass a ‘physical fitness test’ and an additional test called a ‘polygraph test’ for physical ability testing. Those who are initially hired in the FBI have to enroll in a twenty-one-week training course at the FBI Academy.

Conclusion

From the above differences in the case of the CIA and FBI, it is quite clear that there is a huge difference between the two intelligence agencies. The FBI conducts various activities inside America, while the CIA conducts all its activities outside America. While the FBI can enforce laws under the US Department of Justice, the CIA has no such powers. However, despite many differences, both intelligence agencies work for the overall security of America.

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