Why doesn't the CIA eliminate Putin?

The question of why the CIA or any intelligence agency does not eliminate a political figure like Vladimir Putin is complex and involves several factors, including legal, ethical, and practical considerations.

**Legal and Ethical Standards**: Engaging in assassination or extrajudicial actions against foreign leaders is generally considered illegal under international law and would violate U.S. laws and ethical standards. Such actions could provoke severe international backlash and undermine U.S. credibility.

**Geopolitical Consequences**: Assassinating a leader, especially one as significant as Putin, could lead to unpredictable and potentially destabilizing consequences. It could risk escalating conflicts, lead to retaliation, or create a power vacuum that might be exploited by other hostile factions.

**Strategic Calculations**: The U.S. government often weighs the potential risks against the strategic benefits of taking such actions. There may be a belief that engagement or diplomatic efforts might yield better long-term results than violent removal.

**Institutional Constraints**: Intelligence agencies like the CIA operate within certain legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms. Actions such as assassination generally require high-level approval and could be restricted by policies designed to prevent abuses.

**Domestic Impact**: Assassination could have significant ramifications within the United States, including political fallout, public outcry, and increased scrutiny of intelligence operations. It could also lead to a re-evaluation of U.S. foreign policy strategies.

These factors contribute to a complex environment where actions are carefully considered in light of a range of potential consequences.