Where, in this case, did it work?
Looks more like the vanquished got to weaken both of its former enemies while rebuilding its former empire. There are too many comparisons these days to the 1930s, especially in the European Union.
I’m retired CIA. A few opinions if I may:
At least while I was there:
1. The CIA has lots of successes that no one ever hears about.
2. Much of what you read in the press about the Agency is just silly.
3. Both congress and the executive use it as a whipping boy because they know the Agency will not defend itself publicly. So they will flat out lie and say they were not briefed when in fact they had been briefed in detail for months.
4. The Agency is (well was anyway) probably the most ethical and constitutionally focused US government entity. The people who work there, especially those that work overseas, tend to be extremely bright and hard working.
5. The CIA is no where near perfect and was going downhill rapidly when I left. A government is just a reflection of the culture.