George Tenet
George John Tenet (born January 5, 1953) is an American intelligence official and academic who served as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) for the United States Central Intelligence Agency, as well as a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.
George Tenet | |
|---|---|
| 18th Director of Central Intelligence | |
| In office December 16, 1996 – July 11, 2004 Acting: December 16, 1996 – July 11, 1997 | |
| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Deputy | John A. Gordon John E. McLaughlin |
| Preceded by | John M. Deutch |
| Succeeded by | Porter Goss |
| 19th Deputy Director of Central Intelligence | |
| In office July 3, 1995 – July 11, 1997 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | William O. Studeman |
| Succeeded by | John A. Gordon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George John Tenet January 5, 1953 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | Stephanie Glakas |
| Education | Georgetown University (BS) Columbia University (MIA) |
| Signature | |
Tenet held the position as the DCI from July 1997 to July 2004, making him the second-longest-serving director in the agency's history—behind Allen Welsh Dulles—as well as one of the few DCIs to serve under two U.S. presidents of opposing political parties. He played a key role in overseeing intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction in advance of the Iraq War. A 2005 Inspector General's report found that Tenet bears "ultimate responsibility" for the United States intelligence community's failure to develop a plan to control al Qaeda in the lead-up to 9/11. Tenet has been criticized for personally authorizing the CIA's use of brutal and ineffective torture techniques during his tenure, in contravention of international law, something which he has repeatedly denied.
In February 2008, he became a managing director at investment bank Allen & Company.