Rubble of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 in New York City

When Antonio Mendez joined the CIA in 1965, the spy agency maintained more than 15,000 alias identities for its operatives in the field. Mendez, now retired, became known as a master of creating both the physical disguises and the wide array of forged documents agents needed to establish and maintain their cover. Here, some samples of his work.

Sean D. Naylor

Sean D. Naylor Archives | HISTORY

Home

HISTORY

The 21st century saw the dawn of the war on terrorism, as the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing dramatically changed society. Economic issues moved to the forefront during the Great Recession. The COVID-19 pandemic upended lives and economies around the world. Awareness of social inequality grew as the killings of Black Americans, including Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, spurred widespread protests.

21st Century

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945. Explore the battles, leaders and atrocities from the war and its impact on geopolitics and humankind.

Sean D. Naylor

Stories

A Former CIA Tracker Shares the Fine Art of Ferreting Out Fugitives

The CIA at 70: How Going Undercover Has Gotten Harder

Government Terrorist Trackers Before 9/11: Higher Ups Wouldn’t Listen