Fact Check: 911 was conducted by CIA

The Claim: "911 was conducted by CIA"

The assertion that the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks were conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a controversial and widely debated topic. This claim suggests that the CIA, rather than the terrorist group al-Qaeda, orchestrated the attacks for various motives, including justifying military actions in the Middle East or increasing governmental surveillance. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim, presenting information from both supporting and contradicting sources.

What We Know

1. Official Responsibility: The 9/11 Commission Report, which was established to investigate the attacks, concluded that the terrorist group al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, was responsible for the attacks. The report details the planning and execution of the attacks by al-Qaeda operatives and emphasizes that there was no evidence implicating the CIA in orchestrating the attacks [[1]](https://www.cia.gov/library/abbottabad-compound/0B/0B72A302B86EECAD443BBCDCDC76A5B1_911Report.pdf)[[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_for_the_September_11_attacks)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_for_the_September_11_attacks).

2. CIA's Role: The CIA's involvement in counterterrorism efforts prior to 9/11 has been documented, including failures to share critical intelligence that could have potentially prevented the attacks. However, these failures do not imply that the CIA was involved in planning or executing the attacks [2][[4]](https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/0506/chapter5.htm)[[[6]](https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/0001499482)](https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/0001499482).

3. Public Perception and Conspiracy Theories: Various conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, suggesting that the CIA had foreknowledge of the attacks or was involved in facilitating them. These theories often stem from a distrust of government institutions and a belief in hidden motives behind major events. Nevertheless, these claims lack substantial evidence and are often based on misinterpretations or selective use of information [3][9].

4. Declassified Documents: The CIA has released numerous documents related to the 9/11 attacks, which include assessments of al-Qaeda's capabilities and intentions. These documents do not support the claim that the CIA was involved in the attacks. Instead, they highlight the agency's focus on al-Qaeda as a significant threat prior to 9/11 [1][10].

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that the CIA conducted the 9/11 attacks is largely based on conspiracy theories that have circulated since the day of the attacks. Proponents of this theory often cite the CIA's historical involvement in covert operations and its role in shaping U.S. foreign policy as a basis for their claims. However, credible investigations, including the 9/11 Commission Report, have consistently pointed to al-Qaeda as the responsible party.

Critics of the CIA's actions leading up to 9/11 argue that the agency failed to adequately respond to intelligence that indicated a potential terrorist threat. For instance, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports highlight lapses in communication and intelligence sharing between the CIA and other agencies, which may have contributed to the success of the attacks [4][6]. However, these failures do not equate to complicity or orchestration of the attacks.

Moreover, the lack of credible evidence supporting the claim that the CIA conducted the attacks raises questions about the motivations behind such conspiracy theories. Many of these theories thrive on the public's fear and distrust of government institutions, particularly in the wake of significant national tragedies.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the CIA conducted the 9/11 attacks is unsupported by credible evidence. The 9/11 Commission Report, which is the authoritative investigation into the attacks, clearly attributes responsibility to al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. While the CIA's failures in intelligence sharing prior to the attacks are documented, these do not imply any involvement in orchestrating the attacks themselves. Furthermore, conspiracy theories suggesting CIA involvement often rely on misinterpretations of facts and a general distrust of government institutions, rather than substantiated evidence. Thus, the assertion that the CIA was responsible for the 9/11 attacks is conclusively false.

Sources

1. The 9/11 Commission Report. Central Intelligence Agency. Link
2. OIG Report on CIA Accountability With Respect to the 9/11 Attacks. Central Intelligence Agency. Link
3. Responsibility for the September 11 attacks. Wikipedia. Link
4. Special Report: A Review of the FBI's Handling of Intelligence Information Prior to the September 11 Attacks. Link
5. DOC_0006184107.pdf. Central Intelligence Agency. Link
6. Office of Inspector General Report on Central Intelligence Agency Accountability. Link
7. Claremont University Consortium - Log in. Link
8. DECLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 9/11 ATTACKS. Central Intelligence Agency. Link
9. Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks. Link
10. OIG Report on CIA Accountability With Respect to The 9/11 Attacks. Central Intelligence Agency. Link