Washington, February 5: The Central intelligence agency (CIA) has announced the discontinuation of its widely used World Factbook reference manual after more than six decades.
The announcement was made on the CIA’s website on Wednesday (local time). According to local media, no specific reason was provided for the decision to end the Factbook, but it follows Director John Ratcliffe’s commitment to eliminate programs that do not advance the agency’s core mission.
Originally launched in 1962 as a printed, classified reference manual for intelligence officials, the Factbook has provided detailed information about foreign countries, their economies, militaries, resources, and societies.
The Factbook proved so useful that other federal agencies began utilizing it, and within a decade, an unclassified version was released for public access.
After going online in 1997, the Factbook quickly became a primary reference site for journalists, trivia enthusiasts, and college essay writers, attracting millions of visitors each year.
According to ABC News, the White House initiated staff reductions at the CIA and the National Security Agency at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, forcing the agency to operate with fewer resources.
The CIA did not respond to requests for comments regarding the decision to cease publication of the Factbook.
It is worth noting that Ratcliffe stated last year to the Senate Intelligence Committee that, “We (CIA) are not where we need to be.” He identified China as America’s greatest geopolitical rival, while also highlighting challenges to national security posed by Russia, Iran, North Korea, drug cartels, hacking groups, and terrorist organizations.