Over the last decade, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and global counterterrorism operations have led to a significant increase in the partnership between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). While recent conflicts helped develop the CIA/DoD relationship, legislative action and organizational changes that began in the 1990s in response to Desert Storm and the changing post-Cold War landscape set the foundation for partnership development. Although the CIA/DoD partnership appears to be closer than ever before, there are certain issues and conditions that could, for better or worse, affect how the partnership evolves in the future. Understanding how the CIA/DoD relationship has evolved since Desert Storm will provide an appreciation for the future trajectory this partnership might take.

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