The CIA has announced it will cease publication of its World Factbook, a reference manual that has been a staple for journalists, researchers, and trivia enthusiasts for over six decades. The decision, posted on the agency's website on Wednesday, did not provide a reason for the move, but it follows a directive from CIA Director John Ratcliffe to end programs that do not align with the agency's core missions.
First launched in 1962 as a classified printed guide for intelligence officers, the Factbook offered detailed data on foreign countries, including their economies, militaries, resources, and societies. Its usefulness quickly spread to other federal agencies, and an unclassified version was released to the public within a decade. After moving online in 1997, the Factbook became a popular resource, attracting millions of visits annually.
The closure comes amid broader staffing cuts at the CIA and the National Security Agency early in President Donald Trump's second term, as the White House pushes agencies to operate with fewer resources. The CIA did not respond to requests for comment on the decision to end the Factbook's publication.
