The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the United States government. Established in 1947, its primary mission is to gather, analyze, and disseminate intelligence to assist national security decision-making. The CIA operates under the jurisdiction of the Director of National Intelligence and plays a crucial role in protecting U.S. interests abroad. The agency conducts various activities, including covert operations, counterintelligence, and intelligence analysis. It works closely with other intelligence agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Security Agency (NSA), to ensure comprehensive national security efforts.