Editing Pine Gap (section)

==CIA’s Broader Geopolitical Role via Pine Gap==
	•	Middle East and Drone Strikes: Since the 2000s, Pine Gap’s CIA-driven SIGINT has supported U.S. operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen, providing targeting data for drone strikes. Snowden’s leaks highlight the CIA’s reliance on Pine Gap for counterterrorism, raising ethical concerns about civilian casualties.

	•	China and North Korea: The CIA uses Pine Gap to monitor Chinese missile tests and North Korean nuclear activities, informing U.S. policy and military planning. Recent upgrades (10 new satellite dishes since 2020) reflect this focus.

	•	Nuclear Targeting: Pine Gap’s missile detection and SIGINT capabilities contribute to U.S. nuclear targeting, with the CIA analyzing data to identify high-value targets, increasing the base’s strategic importance and nuclear risk.