For instance, I have an aunt who is definitely MAGA, and is flirting with Q-Anon ideas. However, she has pretty good views on the environment and animal rights. For instance, after travelling to Ecuador, she donates to some Ecuadorian land trust run by locals. However, if you start talking to her about the border or gender, she goes full Orbán.
Gee, I wonder why
There’s no way you can maintain control over your nation and protect your people against CIA / State Department coups without having an extremely large and effective surveillance apparatus.
It does far, far more than monitor for spies.
I agree with you that in a world where any state has an intelligence agency, every state needs its own intelligence agency.
I am not even coming close to defending the CIA, but its possible that the enemy of my enemy is not actually always a great way to run a society.
Wow, it’s too bad China doesn’t have access to your brilliant insights, the poor ignorant fools
This is just idealism. If the CIA exists and will without fail try to undermine your socialist project, there is no possible alternative way to run your society. Not until the CIA is gone, or toothless.