Background
The CIA has a long and storied history of involvement in secret operations, with a particular focus on the Middle East. The agency was heavily involved in the developments of the Arab Spring, particularly in Libya where they were instrumental in the 2011 NATO-led overthrow of the Gaddafi regime. Libya rapidly descended into chaos after the fall of Gaddafi, with contested elections in 2012 and civil war in 2014. In 2012, the attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi brought the country to the attention of the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at who was the CIA chief in Benghazi at the time of the attack.
Elizabeth Dibble
The chief of the CIA’s Benghazi station at the time of the 2012 attack was Elizabeth Dibble. A native of Philadelphia, she graduated from Princeton University in 1996 with a degree in Middle Eastern studies. She then went on to join the CIA and was eventually posted to Libya in 2010. Dibble was the most senior CIA employee in Benghazi at the time of the attack, and she was in charge of the CIA’s operations in the city.
Responsibilities
As the chief of the Benghazi station, Elizabeth Dibble was the senior CIA operative in the city. She was responsible for overseeing the agency’s operations in all of Libya, and was the liaison between the CIA and Libyan security forces. In addition, she was responsible for ensuring that the US embassy in Benghazi and its diplomatic staff were protected.
Personality
Elizabeth Dibble was well-known to her colleagues in the CIA and was known to be a consummate professional. She was known to be thorough and demanding, but also fair. She was also known to be fiercely loyal to her staff and colleagues.
Benghazi Attack
On the night of September 11, 2012, the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi was attacked by armed militants. Dibble was the chief of the CIA station in the city at the time and was responsible for coordinating the agency’s emergency response to the attack. Despite the chaotic situation and rapidly deteriorating security situation in the city, Dibble and a team of CIA operatives managed to secure the diplomatic mission and prevent any deaths or injuries to its staff.
Aftermath
After the attack, Dibble was seen as a hero by her colleagues in the CIA, and several of the officers who worked under her command publicly praised her actions during the attack. She continued to work in Libya until 2014 when she moved to a new assignment in Abu Dhabi.
Resignation
In July 2016, Elizabeth Dibble resigned from her post as chief of the Benghazi station, citing personal reasons. Her resignation is believed to be related to her opposition to the Obama administration’s response to the attack on the diplomatic mission.
Legacy
Despite the controversy surrounding the attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi and the Obama administration’s response to it, Elizabeth Dibble remains a respected figure in the CIA. She was a highly-skilled and knowledgeable agent and was known to be fiercely loyal to her team and colleagues. Her actions in the aftermath of the attack have earned her a place in the annals of the agency’s history as one of its greatest heroes.
Investigation
Elizabeth Dibble’s involvement in the Benghazi attack has been the subject of several investigations and reviews. In 2014, a congressional report concluded that she and her team had acted appropriately in response to the attack, though they did criticize her decision to leave the city in the days following the attack. In 2015, a report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found that Dibble and her team had performed admirably in the chaotic situation and had taken all appropriate measures to secure the diplomatic mission.
The CIA Today
The CIA has come a long way since the 2012 attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi. In the years since, the agency has taken measures to strengthen security at its outposts around the world, including hiring an increased number of staff and improving intelligence-gathering and analysis processes. The attack on Benghazi remains a tragic reminder of the difficulties faced by the CIA and its officers in the field.
Criticism and Controversy
Elizabeth Dibble’s role in the Benghazi attack has not been without controversy. In the aftermath of the attack, members of the Obama administration heavily criticized the CIA’s response, with some questioning her decision to leave the city. In addition, the attack has been used by some conservative commentators as a way to attack the Obama administration and the CIA.
Honours
Elizabeth Dibble has received numerous honours for her service in the CIA. She is the recipient of the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement and the CIA achievement medal, amongst others. In 2016, she was honoured by the CIA at its annual awards ceremony for her bravery and dedication to the agency.
Current Role
Elizabeth Dibble is currently a senior adviser at the National Security Council, where she provides advice and analysis on national security policy to the President and his senior staff. She is also a frequent speaker at events related to intelligence and national security.
