CIA’s World Factbook Suddenly Discontinued After Decades As Public Intelligence Resource

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – One of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) most recognizable intelligence publications, long sought by journalists and researchers seeking factual information about countries, has suddenly disappeared.

In an online statement seen by Worthy News during research for a separate story, the CIA announced that “The World Factbook has sunset.”

The agency acknowledged that “The World Factbook served the Intelligence Community and the general public as a longstanding, one-stop basic reference about countries and communities around the globe.”

Over “many decades, The World Factbook evolved from a classified to unclassified, hardcopy to electronic product that added new categories, and even new global entities,” the CIA added.

CIA WORLD FACTBOOK REACHES MASSES

The original classified publication, titled The National Basic Intelligence Factbook, was launched in print in 1962. The first unclassified companion version was issued in 1971. A decade later, it was renamed The World Factbook. In 1997, the publication went digital and debuted to a worldwide audience on the CIA.gov website, where it reportedly garnered millions of views each year.

“The World Factbook appealed to researchers, news organizations, teachers, students, and international travelers. Some readers even inquired whether their preferred geographic designation or world entity could be included on the high-profile site,” the CIA said.

“Finally, only CIA insiders would know that officers donated some of their personal travel photos to The World Factbook, which hosted more than 5,000 photographs that were copyright-free for anyone to access and use.”

The announcement posted on the CIA’s website offered no specific reason for ending the Factbook.

STAFF CUTS AND AGENCY PRIORITIES SHIFT

However, the move follows a vow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to end programs that “don’t advance” the agency’s core missions.

The White House has moved to reduce staffing at the CIA and the National Security Agency early in President Donald J. Trump’s second term, requiring the agencies to operate with fewer resources.

“Though The World Factbook is gone, in the spirit of its global reach and legacy, we hope you will stay curious about the world and find ways to explore it… in person or virtually,” the CIA told readers.

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