The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century

The Mission by Tim Weiner – Inside the CIA's Secret Wars and Global Power Struggles

A gripping, insider exposé of the modern CIA from Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Tim Weiner.

In The Mission, Weiner delivers a powerful and deeply reported chronicle of the CIA's evolution from the ashes of the Cold War to the high-stakes global conflicts of the 21st century. Based on exclusive, on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, 13 station chiefs, and scores of undercover operatives, this book offers a rare look into the agency’s most secret operations—from 9/11 to the covert battles against Russia, China, Iran, and more.

After the Cold War, the CIA was directionless—its global network gutted, its mission unclear. But the attacks of September 11, 2001, changed everything. The Agency transformed into a covert paramilitary force, deploying drone strikes, black sites, and enhanced interrogation—often at the cost of traditional espionage. The aftermath was disastrous: lost agents, compromised systems, and failures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet out of that chaos, a new generation of spies emerged—tasked with confronting America’s most dangerous adversaries in Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran—even while facing political attacks from within the United States.

In the tradition of his bestselling Legacy of Ashes, Tim Weiner reveals how the CIA fought to rebuild its intelligence-gathering prowess and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin—a critical mission with consequences that still shape the fate of the free world.

🔍 Why Read The Mission?

• Authoritative: From a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist.
• Exclusive Access: Features real interviews with top CIA insiders.
• Timely Themes: Covers surveillance, cyberwarfare, and the power struggle with China & Russia.
• Perfect For: Fans of political nonfiction, intelligence history, MSNBC viewers, and anyone curious about how U.S. foreign policy and secret wars actually unfold.