By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Tim Weiner's "The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century" is an exhaustive and meticulously researched chronicle that delves into the tumultuous trajectory of the Central Intelligence Agency from the early 2000s through the mid-2020s. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/4e644805-9437-49a2-acad-13e02a9af419?utm_source=openai)) Weiner, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience covering intelligence and espionage, offers an intimate portrait of an agency grappling with unprecedented challenges and systemic failures.

The narrative commences in the prelude to the September 11 attacks, highlighting the CIA's struggle to anticipate and respond to Islamist terrorism. Weiner exposes how the agency, under intense political pressure from President George W. Bush, spiraled into dysfunction. Agents, pushed to uncover non-existent weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, resorted to controversial practices, including torture and unsanctioned killings, diverging from their original intelligence-gathering mission. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2d6ffb19967184d1ab8737fea5ebab96?utm_source=openai))

Weiner's access to key figures is unparalleled. He conducted exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and had never spoken to a journalist. ([susannalea.com](https://www.susannalea.com/sla-title/the-mission/?utm_source=openai)) This depth of access allows him to name all key figures involved in the agency’s missteps, showcasing remarkable journalistic prowess. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2d6ffb19967184d1ab8737fea5ebab96?utm_source=openai))

The book also explores the agency’s entanglement in political conflicts—ranging from President Trump's antagonism towards the intelligence community to mishandling of internal scandals—and its adaptation to new threats like cyber warfare and the rise of China and Russia. Weiner offers both cautions and insights, reflecting on the CIA’s operational missteps, ethical lapses, and systemic failures. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/4e644805-9437-49a2-acad-13e02a9af419?utm_source=openai))

While the book recounts intelligence victories, such as stopping nuclear proliferation and uncovering Russian plans in Ukraine, it also illustrates how technological evolution challenges traditional espionage. Against the backdrop of AI and digital surveillance, Weiner warns of new vulnerabilities and the moral ambiguity that haunts intelligence work. Ultimately, "The Mission" serves as a somber reflection and a prophetic warning about the agency's role in a volatile geopolitical future. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/4e644805-9437-49a2-acad-13e02a9af419?utm_source=openai))

However, the book is not without its shortcomings. Despite its investigative depth, it lacks concrete solutions for insulating the agency from future political interference. Weiner underscores that only reliable intelligence can safeguard national security, especially as geopolitical tensions rise. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2d6ffb19967184d1ab8737fea5ebab96?utm_source=openai)) This omission leaves the reader yearning for a roadmap to reform.

In conclusion, "The Mission" is a masterful work of storytelling, giving a human face to a secretive institution. ([susannalea.com](https://www.susannalea.com/sla-title/the-mission/?utm_source=openai)) It is a singular triumph—an intimate chronicle of the CIA, its crises, and its opportunities since 9/11. ([kirkusreviews.com](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tim-weiner/the-mission-3/?utm_source=openai)) For those seeking to understand the complexities of modern intelligence operations and the perils of political meddling, this book is indispensable.

Highly recommended!

Recommendation: Highly recommended!

written on: 7/24/2025