The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington, but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. The Central Intelligence Agency publishes a directory of Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments; this directory is intended to be used primarily as a reference aid and includes as many governments of the world as is considered practical.

The Database includes information on more than 5,800 world leaders in 203 countries and territories, with 203 flag images and 382 photos of selected world leaders. Each country listing includes:

- Date of last update
- *NEW* Image of the country's flag
- Name listings of the country's heads of state - *NEW* Now with photos!
- Name listings of the country's cabinet members, ambassadors, permanent representatives to the UN, and other selected leaders

Find out who runs the world with the CIA World Leaders 2005 Handheld Edition!