Fact Check: "911 was conducted by CIA"
What We Know
The claim that the CIA conducted the 9/11 attacks is unfounded and lacks credible evidence. The official narrative, as detailed in the 9/11 Commission Report, attributes the attacks to the terrorist group al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. The report outlines how the attackers were motivated by a combination of factors, including opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and a desire to retaliate against perceived injustices against Muslims.
The CIA, as stated on their official website, is primarily an intelligence agency responsible for gathering and analyzing information related to national security. Their mission does not include conducting terrorist attacks or orchestrating events like 9/11. The CIA's role is to provide intelligence to U.S. policymakers, which includes the President and the National Security Council, to inform decisions regarding national security (CIA Official Site).
Analysis
The assertion that the CIA was involved in the orchestration of the 9/11 attacks is a conspiracy theory that has been widely debunked. The 9/11 Commission Report is a comprehensive document that investigated the circumstances surrounding the attacks, detailing failures in intelligence and communication among various agencies, including the CIA and FBI. However, it does not support the claim that the CIA was responsible for the attacks.
Moreover, the CIA's own statements emphasize their role in intelligence gathering and analysis, not in executing terrorist operations. The agency's mission is clearly outlined as providing objective intelligence to assist policymakers in making informed decisions, rather than engaging in covert actions that would involve carrying out attacks against U.S. citizens or interests (About CIA - CIA).
The sources used to evaluate this claim are credible and authoritative. The 9/11 Commission Report is a government document that resulted from a bipartisan investigation, while the CIA's official statements reflect their established mission and operational guidelines. Both sources are reliable and do not support the conspiracy theory that the CIA conducted the 9/11 attacks.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the CIA conducted the 9/11 attacks is not supported by credible evidence. The attacks were perpetrated by al-Qaeda, as established by the 9/11 Commission Report. The CIA's role is to provide intelligence, not to execute terrorist operations. The assertion reflects a misunderstanding of the agency's mission and the events of September 11, 2001.
Sources
- We are the Nation's first line of defense - CIA
- The 9/11 Commission Report
- About CIA - CIA - The World Factbook
- DOC_0006184107.pdf
- The World Factbook - The World Factbook
- Directorate of Operations - CIA - The World Factbook
- History of CIA - CIA - The World Factbook
- Special Report: A Review of the FBI's Handling of Intelligence ...