The CIA has long been known for its secretive nature, operating in the shadows to gather intelligence and carry out covert missions.
The agency recruits individuals capable of handling extreme situations, making difficult choices, and following orders without hesitation.
The qualities that make someone suited for this work are not always what the public might expect.
John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer with 14 years of experience, has revealed that the agency actively looks for recruits with sociopathic tendencies.
Considered Unpredictable
While full-blown sociopaths are considered too unpredictable, those who share some of their traits — such as emotional detachment, an ability to manipulate, and a lack of guilt — are seen as valuable assets.
According to Kiriakou and Ziare, these individuals can navigate morally complex situations without hesitation.
Their ability to remain calm under pressure and lie convincingly allows them to pass polygraph tests easily, making them ideal for intelligence work.
He admitted that he himself fit this description during his time with the CIA, recalling how he broke into homes, planted surveillance equipment, and carried out operations without questioning the ethics of his actions.
His career included roles in counterterrorism, and he was involved in the capture of Abu Zubaydah, a high-profile terror suspect.
Later, he made headlines for exposing the CIA’s use of waterboarding, calling it torture. His revelations led to his arrest, and he served 30 months in prison for leaking classified information.
Jim “Mad Dog” Lawler, another former CIA officer, supports Kiriakou’s claims.
Lawler, who specialized in recruiting foreign spies and worked in nuclear intelligence, admitted that many CIA operatives exhibit sociopathic traits.
He described espionage as a world where manipulation is routine and exploiting others is part of the job.
Lawler recalled that agency recruiters often discussed how close ideal candidates were to being sociopaths.
He even used his training in everyday life, managing to talk his way out of traffic tickets and secure first-class flight upgrades.
The CIA has never openly confirmed these claims, but those who have worked inside say that the ability to act without hesitation, even in morally gray areas, is what separates the best operatives from the rest.
