Which agency was established as a successor to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was established as a successor to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was created during World War II to coordinate espionage activities and gather intelligence for the United States. After the war ended, the OSS was dissolved, and there was a recognized need for a permanent agency to handle intelligence and national security activities. The CIA was formally created in 1947 with the passage of the National Security Act, primarily to collect and analyze information relevant to the national security of the United States.

The role of the CIA extends beyond mere collection of intelligence; it involves covert operations, counterintelligence, and coordination with other arms of the government on matters related to national security. The establishment of the CIA marked a significant evolution in U.S. intelligence operations, making it an integral part of the Cold War strategy and ongoing global affairs.

In contrast, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) focuses on domestic security and law enforcement rather than international intelligence. The Department of State deals with foreign relations and diplomacy but does not engage in intelligence operations in the same way the CIA does. The Department of Homeland Security, established post-9/11, addresses issues like terrorism and border security, evolving from a different historical context altogether.