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Tim Weiner's new book, "The Mission," offers a more hopeful outlook on the CIA than his previous work.

The CIA has evolved from its early amateurism to become a more effective information collector.

The current administration's actions, including the dismissal of experienced officers like Tom Sylvester, pose a threat to the CIA's effectiveness.

In a week or so, I’ll be teaching “ Spies : the Politics of American Espionage” as a seminar for first semester students.

By happy accident, clandestine services historian Tim Weiner’s new book is also just out. “ The Mission ” is a follow-on history of the Central Intelligence Agency. “Book 2,” if you will, of his amazing and very complete history of the early CIA entitled “ A Legacy of Ashes. " “ The Mission

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