US Intelligence Agency Shuts Down Beloved Global Reference Guide Without Explanation
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has abruptly ended publication of its widely-used reference guide, The World Factbook, leaving many users wondering why this valuable resource is no longer available.
For decades, The World Factbook was a go-to source for information on countries and communities worldwide. The CIA released the first edition in 1962 as a classified document called The National Basic Intelligence Factbook before later releasing an unclassified version in 1971. In the following years, it transitioned into a digital resource available on the CIA website.
The news of its demise comes at a time when the CIA itself has undergone significant restructuring, with widespread buyouts and job cuts that have decimated much of the federal workforce in recent times. This latest move has raised questions about the priorities of the agency and whether this type of public-facing tool is no longer considered essential to its mission.
Despite the lack of information on why The World Factbook is being discontinued, its impact on users cannot be overstated. This resource guide was an indispensable source for anyone seeking to understand global cultures, politics, and geography. Its sudden disappearance has left a void that may be difficult to fill.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has abruptly ended publication of its widely-used reference guide, The World Factbook, leaving many users wondering why this valuable resource is no longer available.
For decades, The World Factbook was a go-to source for information on countries and communities worldwide. The CIA released the first edition in 1962 as a classified document called The National Basic Intelligence Factbook before later releasing an unclassified version in 1971. In the following years, it transitioned into a digital resource available on the CIA website.
The news of its demise comes at a time when the CIA itself has undergone significant restructuring, with widespread buyouts and job cuts that have decimated much of the federal workforce in recent times. This latest move has raised questions about the priorities of the agency and whether this type of public-facing tool is no longer considered essential to its mission.
Despite the lack of information on why The World Factbook is being discontinued, its impact on users cannot be overstated. This resource guide was an indispensable source for anyone seeking to understand global cultures, politics, and geography. Its sudden disappearance has left a void that may be difficult to fill.