The Importance of Regional Expertise at the CIA

Mark Pauli Marapolo, a veteran CIA officer, discusses the decline of regional expertise at the CIA and the negative consequences of prioritizing generalist officers over specialists. He highlights the value of having officers with deep knowledge of a specific region, including language skills and cultural understanding. He pays tribute to Charlie Seidel, a renowned Arabist at the CIA, and laments the lack of similar expertise today. Mark advocates for a shift back to cultivating regional specialists to better navigate complex geopolitics and build long-term relationships.