Over the years, the American Central Intelligence Agency has gained a reputation for being the
Over the years, the American Central Intelligence Agency has gained a reputation for being the

most far-reaching, sophisticated, and effective government intelligence agency on the planet.
most far-reaching, sophisticated, and effective government intelligence agency on the planet.

At the same time, the CIA has also become known for its incredible paranoia and propensity
At the same time, the CIA has also become known for its incredible paranoia and propensity

to undertake costly, sometimes illegal, and often downright absurd projects in the name
to undertake costly, sometimes illegal, and often downright absurd projects in the name

of gaining an edge on the competition.
of gaining an edge on the competition.

From spy cats to psychic hippies, the following are ten of the weirdest spy programs the government
From spy cats to psychic hippies, the following are ten of the weirdest spy programs the government

has proposed and funded over the years.
has proposed and funded over the years.

10.
10.

Acoustic Kitty
Acoustic Kitty

Most people wouldn’t think of the common house cat as being a potential master of espionage,
Most people wouldn’t think of the common house cat as being a potential master of espionage,

but the CIA sure did.
but the CIA sure did.

In the 1960s, American intelligence is said to have spent over $20 million on “Acoustic
In the 1960s, American intelligence is said to have spent over $20 million on “Acoustic

Kitty,” a top-secret project that used cats as recording devices.
Kitty,” a top-secret project that used cats as recording devices.

The project took a group of specially trained cats and surgically implanted microphones,
The project took a group of specially trained cats and surgically implanted microphones,

antennae and batteries into their tails, and then set them loose near the Russian embassy.
antennae and batteries into their tails, and then set them loose near the Russian embassy.

The idea was that an unassuming cat would be able to stride right up to groups of communist
The idea was that an unassuming cat would be able to stride right up to groups of communist

officials and listen in on their conversation, which it could then beam back to agents with
officials and listen in on their conversation, which it could then beam back to agents with

its sophisticated radio equipment.
its sophisticated radio equipment.

The plan was eventually put into action, but the first cat sent into the field was supposedly
The plan was eventually put into action, but the first cat sent into the field was supposedly

run over by a taxi before it could make a recording, and operation ‘Acoustic Kitty”
run over by a taxi before it could make a recording, and operation ‘Acoustic Kitty”

was abandoned shortly thereafter.
was abandoned shortly thereafter.

9.
9.

Operation Mockingbird
Operation Mockingbird

One of the most ambitious and downright insidious programs ever launched by the CIA was Operation
One of the most ambitious and downright insidious programs ever launched by the CIA was Operation

Mockingbird, a propaganda project that was implemented in the early 1950s.
Mockingbird, a propaganda project that was implemented in the early 1950s.

It was a massive undertaking that saw as many as 3,000 CIA agents and collaborators attempt
It was a massive undertaking that saw as many as 3,000 CIA agents and collaborators attempt

to gain some control of the free press by feeding select groups of reporters information
to gain some control of the free press by feeding select groups of reporters information

and using newspapers at home and abroad to filter the kinds of stories that got to the
and using newspapers at home and abroad to filter the kinds of stories that got to the

public.
public.

At its height, the program included writers for the New York Times, Newsweek, and Time
At its height, the program included writers for the New York Times, Newsweek, and Time

Magazine among its ranks, and was said to have a significant influence on as many as
Magazine among its ranks, and was said to have a significant influence on as many as

25 major newspapers.
25 major newspapers.

The program had a major impact abroad, as well, as it served a major function in helping
The program had a major impact abroad, as well, as it served a major function in helping

to sway public opinion in the run-up to the eventual overthrowing of Guatemala’s leftist
to sway public opinion in the run-up to the eventual overthrowing of Guatemala’s leftist

president.
president.

Operation Mockingbird continued to have a major effect on worldwide media throughout
Operation Mockingbird continued to have a major effect on worldwide media throughout

the 50s, and it was not until the 60s that a series of reports by investigative journalists
the 50s, and it was not until the 60s that a series of reports by investigative journalists

brought the program to light.
brought the program to light.

8.
8.

Operation Gold
Operation Gold

One of the most audacious intelligence operations of the Cold War was 1953’s Operation Gold,
One of the most audacious intelligence operations of the Cold War was 1953’s Operation Gold,

which was a joint effort between the CIA and the British MI6 to hack into the phone lines
which was a joint effort between the CIA and the British MI6 to hack into the phone lines

of the Soviet headquarters in East Berlin.
of the Soviet headquarters in East Berlin.

This required the construction of a massive 450-meter long tunnel that would intersect
This required the construction of a massive 450-meter long tunnel that would intersect

with an underground telephone junction.
with an underground telephone junction.

Just preparing the tunnel took six months, and involved a substantial amount of risk
Just preparing the tunnel took six months, and involved a substantial amount of risk

and subterfuge.
and subterfuge.

But when it was done, the CIA proceeded to carefully record as many as 50,000 telephone
But when it was done, the CIA proceeded to carefully record as many as 50,000 telephone

conversations over the course of nearly a year.
conversations over the course of nearly a year.

The problem?
The problem?

A mole in British intelligence had tipped off the KGB about Operation Gold before the
A mole in British intelligence had tipped off the KGB about Operation Gold before the

tunnel was even completed, and the Soviets had been feeding fake them information the
tunnel was even completed, and the Soviets had been feeding fake them information the

entire time.
entire time.

In 1956, the Soviets raided the tunnel and shut it down, and the operation eventually
In 1956, the Soviets raided the tunnel and shut it down, and the operation eventually

caused a great deal of controversy for the American and British intelligence communities.
caused a great deal of controversy for the American and British intelligence communities.

7.
7.

Operation Northwoods
Operation Northwoods

In the early 1960s, when the Cold War was in full swing and fear of communism was rampant,
In the early 1960s, when the Cold War was in full swing and fear of communism was rampant,

a plan dubbed Operation Northwoods was proposed within the American CIA.
a plan dubbed Operation Northwoods was proposed within the American CIA.

In short, it called for the government to perform a series of violent terrorist actions
In short, it called for the government to perform a series of violent terrorist actions

in U.S. cities including bombings, hijackings, phony riots, and sabotage, all of which could
in U.S. cities including bombings, hijackings, phony riots, and sabotage, all of which could

then be blamed on Cuba.
then be blamed on Cuba.

This would drum up support for a war against the communists and lead to an eventual military
This would drum up support for a war against the communists and lead to an eventual military

operation to remove Fidel Castro from power.
operation to remove Fidel Castro from power.

The plan was drafted and signed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and presented to President
The plan was drafted and signed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and presented to President

John F. Kennedy, who personally rejected it, and it was subsequently abandoned.
John F. Kennedy, who personally rejected it, and it was subsequently abandoned.

For years after, Operation Northwoods existed as a rumor, but it was finally revealed to
For years after, Operation Northwoods existed as a rumor, but it was finally revealed to

be true when top-secret documents describing the plan were made public in 1997 as part
be true when top-secret documents describing the plan were made public in 1997 as part

of a release of government papers relating to the Kennedy assassination.
of a release of government papers relating to the Kennedy assassination.

6.
6.

Project Pigeon
Project Pigeon

One of the most seemingly preposterous military programs of all time occurred during WWII,
One of the most seemingly preposterous military programs of all time occurred during WWII,

when famed behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner was enlisted by the government to try and
when famed behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner was enlisted by the government to try and

train pigeons for use in a missile guidance system.
train pigeons for use in a missile guidance system.

At the time, Skinner was known as one of the major practitioners of operant conditioning,
At the time, Skinner was known as one of the major practitioners of operant conditioning,

a system that used reward and punishment as a means of controlling behavior.
a system that used reward and punishment as a means of controlling behavior.

With these ideas in mind, Skinner placed a series of specially trained pigeons inside
With these ideas in mind, Skinner placed a series of specially trained pigeons inside

missiles.
missiles.

A camera on the front of the missile recorded its flight path, which was then projected
A camera on the front of the missile recorded its flight path, which was then projected

on a screen for the pigeon to see.
on a screen for the pigeon to see.

The birds were trained to recognize the missile’s intended target, and they would peck at the
The birds were trained to recognize the missile’s intended target, and they would peck at the

screen if it was drifting off course.
screen if it was drifting off course.

This information was fed to the weapon’s flight controls, which would then be changed
This information was fed to the weapon’s flight controls, which would then be changed

to reflect the new coordinates.
to reflect the new coordinates.

Skinner was originally given $25,000 to get the project up and running, and he actually
Skinner was originally given $25,000 to get the project up and running, and he actually

managed to make some minor progress with it.
managed to make some minor progress with it.

But government officials were never quite able to get past the obvious absurdity of
But government officials were never quite able to get past the obvious absurdity of

the program, and it was eventually shut down.
the program, and it was eventually shut down.

5.
5.

Operation Midnight Climax
Operation Midnight Climax

In the early 1960s, the youth culture of America was first beginning to experiment with hallucinogenic
In the early 1960s, the youth culture of America was first beginning to experiment with hallucinogenic

drugs like LSD, and so was the Central Intelligence Agency.
drugs like LSD, and so was the Central Intelligence Agency.

Operation Midnight Climax was one of the government’s most ridiculous and illegal attempts to test
Operation Midnight Climax was one of the government’s most ridiculous and illegal attempts to test

the possible uses of drugs like acid by administering them to unsuspecting citizens.
the possible uses of drugs like acid by administering them to unsuspecting citizens.

The program was run out of a collection of safehouses in New York and California.
The program was run out of a collection of safehouses in New York and California.

Prostitutes were used to lure young men to the houses, at which point they were given
Prostitutes were used to lure young men to the houses, at which point they were given

food or drink spiked with LSD and other drugs and placed in a room with a two-way mirror
food or drink spiked with LSD and other drugs and placed in a room with a two-way mirror

where their behavior could be observed.
where their behavior could be observed.

Midnight Climax was essentially an experimental program designed to monitor the possible tactical
Midnight Climax was essentially an experimental program designed to monitor the possible tactical

uses of psychotropic drugs and sexual blackmail in the field, but even within the Agency it
uses of psychotropic drugs and sexual blackmail in the field, but even within the Agency it

was controversial, and it was shut down after only a few years.
was controversial, and it was shut down after only a few years.

Most of the files connected to the operation were destroyed, but a few survived, and in
Most of the files connected to the operation were destroyed, but a few survived, and in

the early 70s the files regarding Midnight Climax and many other illegal CIA programs
the early 70s the files regarding Midnight Climax and many other illegal CIA programs

were brought to light in a famous story by the New York Times.
were brought to light in a famous story by the New York Times.

4.
4.

The Stargate Project
The Stargate Project

The $20 million Stargate Project was a blanket term used to describe a large number of psychic
The $20 million Stargate Project was a blanket term used to describe a large number of psychic

experiments and investigations undertaken by the U.S. government between the 70s and
experiments and investigations undertaken by the U.S. government between the 70s and

90s.
90s.

The biggest goal of the Stargate Project was to investigate the scientific probability
The biggest goal of the Stargate Project was to investigate the scientific probability

of “remote viewing,” which is the psychic ability to witness events over great distances.
of “remote viewing,” which is the psychic ability to witness events over great distances.

The program, which also investigated psychic abilities like out of body experiences and
The program, which also investigated psychic abilities like out of body experiences and

clairvoyance, tested subjects on their ability to predict future events and read hidden documents.
clairvoyance, tested subjects on their ability to predict future events and read hidden documents.

The Stargate Project usually enlisted the services of anywhere from 3 to 22 subjects
The Stargate Project usually enlisted the services of anywhere from 3 to 22 subjects

at a time, many of whom managed to test with an accuracy rating as much as 15% higher than
at a time, many of whom managed to test with an accuracy rating as much as 15% higher than

the norm.
the norm.

Still, although some participants claimed to have correctly predicted major world events
Still, although some participants claimed to have correctly predicted major world events

like military attacks and hostage situations, the program found that remote viewers and
like military attacks and hostage situations, the program found that remote viewers and

so-called telepaths were still wrong nearly 80 percent of the time, and in 1995 the CIA
so-called telepaths were still wrong nearly 80 percent of the time, and in 1995 the CIA

cancelled the Stargate Project for good.
cancelled the Stargate Project for good.

3.
3.

Operation Mongoose
Operation Mongoose

In the early 60s, communist Cuba became one of the major battlegrounds of the Cold War,
In the early 60s, communist Cuba became one of the major battlegrounds of the Cold War,

and its president Fidel Castro came to be considered one of the most dangerous political
and its president Fidel Castro came to be considered one of the most dangerous political

figures in the world.
figures in the world.

After early attempts to overthrow Castro by force failed, the CIA instituted Operation
After early attempts to overthrow Castro by force failed, the CIA instituted Operation

Mongoose, which was a secret war of propaganda and sabotage designed to remove the Cuban
Mongoose, which was a secret war of propaganda and sabotage designed to remove the Cuban

leader from power.
leader from power.

Operation Mongoose had a remarkably wide scope, and included plans to fake attacks on Cuban
Operation Mongoose had a remarkably wide scope, and included plans to fake attacks on Cuban

exiles, provide arms to opposition groups, and destroy Cuba’s crop of sugarcane.
exiles, provide arms to opposition groups, and destroy Cuba’s crop of sugarcane.

It also included several attempts to either assassinate or discredit Castro in the press,
It also included several attempts to either assassinate or discredit Castro in the press,

each of which was more elaborate and ridiculous than the next.
each of which was more elaborate and ridiculous than the next.

The Agency considered, among other things, poisoning Castro’s personal supply of cigars,
The Agency considered, among other things, poisoning Castro’s personal supply of cigars,

planting explosives disguised as seashells in his favorite swimming spots, and injecting
planting explosives disguised as seashells in his favorite swimming spots, and injecting

him with a deadly chemical from a hypodermic needle disguised as a pen.
him with a deadly chemical from a hypodermic needle disguised as a pen.

Even more bizarre were the plans to discredit Castro in the public eye, which included a
Even more bizarre were the plans to discredit Castro in the public eye, which included a

proposal to spray a TV studio with hallucinogens prior to one of the leader’s televised speeches,
proposal to spray a TV studio with hallucinogens prior to one of the leader’s televised speeches,

and even planting chemicals in his clothes that would cause his famous beard to fall
and even planting chemicals in his clothes that would cause his famous beard to fall

out.
out.

The near-disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis put Operation Mongoose on hold, and following
The near-disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis put Operation Mongoose on hold, and following

an agreement between Kennedy and the Soviets, it was more or less abandoned.
an agreement between Kennedy and the Soviets, it was more or less abandoned.

2.
2.

Project MKULTRA
Project MKULTRA

One of the most downright creepy government programs and the fodder for countless conspiracy
One of the most downright creepy government programs and the fodder for countless conspiracy

theories, Project MKULTRA was a sweeping and top-secret CIA program started in the early
theories, Project MKULTRA was a sweeping and top-secret CIA program started in the early

1950s that included experiments in “chemical interrogation” and mind control.
1950s that included experiments in “chemical interrogation” and mind control.

In short, MKULTRA was a plan that sought to use drugs, psychological stress, and bizarre
In short, MKULTRA was a plan that sought to use drugs, psychological stress, and bizarre

interrogation methods to get information, control behavior, and even alter brain function.
interrogation methods to get information, control behavior, and even alter brain function.

To this day, much of the information on the project remains classified, but what we do
To this day, much of the information on the project remains classified, but what we do

know is that the program involved the testing and interrogation of private citizens—often
know is that the program involved the testing and interrogation of private citizens—often

without their knowledge or consent—in the service of discovering whether or not certain
without their knowledge or consent—in the service of discovering whether or not certain

drugs could be used as truth serums.
drugs could be used as truth serums.

This included giving subjects large doses of LSD, amphetamine, and mescaline, as well
This included giving subjects large doses of LSD, amphetamine, and mescaline, as well

as shock therapy.
as shock therapy.

In one case, subjects were supposedly dosed with acid for 77 days straight in an attempt
In one case, subjects were supposedly dosed with acid for 77 days straight in an attempt

to test the effects of long-term exposure to the drug.
to test the effects of long-term exposure to the drug.

Conspiracy theories abound about the real goals of the project, with some saying it
Conspiracy theories abound about the real goals of the project, with some saying it

was a program to engineer zombie assassins through mind control and brainwashing.
was a program to engineer zombie assassins through mind control and brainwashing.

Some information about MKULTRA was finally brought to light in the early seventies, when
Some information about MKULTRA was finally brought to light in the early seventies, when

news reports about CIA abuses of power led to a Congressional commission.
news reports about CIA abuses of power led to a Congressional commission.

The project was subsequently shut down, but many people claim that similar CIA programs
The project was subsequently shut down, but many people claim that similar CIA programs

still exist to this day.
still exist to this day.

1.
1.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion

For sheer absurdity, wastefulness, and infamy, few CIA projects compare to 1961’s failed
For sheer absurdity, wastefulness, and infamy, few CIA projects compare to 1961’s failed

Bay of Pigs Invasion.
Bay of Pigs Invasion.

The program was one of the first and boldest attempts to overthrow communist Cuban leader
The program was one of the first and boldest attempts to overthrow communist Cuban leader

Fidel Castro, but it was also the most disastrously unsuccessful.
Fidel Castro, but it was also the most disastrously unsuccessful.

It started in 1960, when the CIA, under the authorization of the President, began planning
It started in 1960, when the CIA, under the authorization of the President, began planning

an attempted overthrow of the Cuban government.
an attempted overthrow of the Cuban government.

In order to eliminate any link to the U.S., the attack was to be perpetrated by an army
In order to eliminate any link to the U.S., the attack was to be perpetrated by an army

of Cuban exiles specially trained by the CIA.
of Cuban exiles specially trained by the CIA.

After a series of diversionary air strikes, on April 17, 1961, a group of amphibious troop
After a series of diversionary air strikes, on April 17, 1961, a group of amphibious troop

transports landed on a beach in the Bay of Pigs and began unloading their cargo of 1,300
transports landed on a beach in the Bay of Pigs and began unloading their cargo of 1,300

exile guerrillas.
exile guerrillas.

The plan was for them to rendezvous with a smaller band of paratroops to be dropped soon
The plan was for them to rendezvous with a smaller band of paratroops to be dropped soon

after their arrival, but from the beginning their plan was tragically mistimed.
after their arrival, but from the beginning their plan was tragically mistimed.

For starters, Cuban intelligence was already aware of the planned invasion, and this meant
For starters, Cuban intelligence was already aware of the planned invasion, and this meant

that when the exile troops landed they were almost immediately under attack.
that when the exile troops landed they were almost immediately under attack.

To add to the force’s problems, bad weather, coral reefs, and the Cuban swamps quickly
To add to the force’s problems, bad weather, coral reefs, and the Cuban swamps quickly

claimed most of their equipment.
claimed most of their equipment.

All told, an estimated 2,000 Cubans died during the invasion, while over 100 members of the
All told, an estimated 2,000 Cubans died during the invasion, while over 100 members of the

exile army were killed in action.
exile army were killed in action.

The remaining 1,200 were captured and imprisoned, and some were later executed on the orders
The remaining 1,200 were captured and imprisoned, and some were later executed on the orders

of Castro.
of Castro.

Over a year later, the rest were freed in exchange for $53 million in food and medicine
Over a year later, the rest were freed in exchange for $53 million in food and medicine

for Cuban people.
for Cuban people.

The effects of the Bay of Pigs were far reaching.
The effects of the Bay of Pigs were far reaching.

Several American officials resigned over their involvement in it, and many have credited
Several American officials resigned over their involvement in it, and many have credited

it with increasing the resolve of the Cuban government and encouraging a severe distrust
it with increasing the resolve of the Cuban government and encouraging a severe distrust

of American foreign policy in the years that followed.
of American foreign policy in the years that followed.