Recharging The CIA

The CIA moves back to a risk-taking culture

Want evidence that the CIA is trying to get its groove back? Consider the tale of the tippler. An agency spook trying to recruit a potentially useful overseas target felt compelled to warn his bosses recently that the man enjoyed a drink. Fearing that deskbound managers would veto the contact, the spook was thrilled to be told "to use his instincts, be smart and see" what develops. The episode, related to TIME by someone close to the agency, is meant to illustrate how, a year into Director Porter Goss's tenure, the CIA is inching back to the risk-taking culture that helped...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!