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Gina HaspelAmerican statesman, acting director of the CIA
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Gina Haspel: A Controversial Figure in the CIA
- Involvement in CIA Black Sites
- Post-Black Site Service
- Director of the National Clandestine Service
- Deputy Director of the CIA
- Nomination and Confirmation as CIA Director
- Allegations of Human Rights Violations and Legal Proceedings
- Awards and Recognition
Gina Haspel: A Controversial Figure in the CIA
Early Life and CareerGina Cherri Haspel joined the CIA in 1985, serving in various undisclosed leadership positions abroad. She spent a significant amount of time in Central Europe, Turkey, and Central Asia.
Involvement in CIA Black Sites
From October to December 2002, Haspel reportedly ran a CIA black site in Thailand known as "Cat's Eye." This site held al-Qaeda suspects and employed "enhanced interrogation techniques," including waterboarding.
Allegedly, Haspel was the resident CIA officer who arrived after the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah, who became the CIA's "guinea pig." She was also said to have been present during the waterboarding of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.
Post-Black Site Service
After her tenure in Thailand, Haspel served as Chief of Staff of the Counterterrorism Center near Washington, D.C. She later served as Chief of Base for the CIA in London and, in 2011, in New York.
In 2005, Haspel became Chief of Staff to Jose Rodriguez, head of the National Clandestine Service. Rodriguez claimed in his memoir that Haspel ordered the destruction of dozens of videotapes made at the Thailand black site after public scrutiny of the CIA's "Rendition, Detention, and Interrogation" (RDI) program.
Director of the National Clandestine Service
In 2013, then-CIA Director John Brennan appointed Haspel acting head of the National Clandestine Service, which conducts covert operations worldwide. However, her nomination was not confirmed due to criticism over her role in the RDI program.
Deputy Director of the CIA
On February 2, 2017, President Donald Trump appointed Haspel Deputy Director of the CIA. This temporary appointment did not require Senate approval.
Nomination and Confirmation as CIA Director
On March 13, 2018, President Trump nominated Haspel to be Director of the CIA. Her nomination faced significant opposition from the Senate Intelligence Committee, which expressed concerns about her involvement in torture.
Despite the opposition, the Senate confirmed Haspel's appointment on May 17, 2018, by a vote of 54-45. She became the first woman to hold the position.
Allegations of Human Rights Violations and Legal Proceedings
Haspel has been accused of war crimes and other human rights violations in relation to her involvement in the RDI program. In 2017, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) filed a criminal complaint against her for allegedly overseeing the torture of terrorism suspects.
Awards and Recognition
Haspel has received numerous awards, including the George H. W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism, the Donovan Award from the Strategic Services Office, the Intelligence Medal of Merit, and the Presidential Service Award.
