Complex obstacles require a complex approach towards solutions so it makes sense to have multiple communities working together.
And sure, horrors occur but we don't get to know what horrors are avoided.
That's a pretty big assumption that is no doubt abused.
I love Matt Taibbi's example where the FBI got a search warrant, based on a news article that they were the source on. Talk about compromised incentives.
That 100% are just not true, every respectable paper and or journalist know that there is quite a big chance that your are being used, not just from Services but also from Company's, just have a look at Elon's Hyperloop and the massive Fan-hype (even in the University Space (which is kind of super-sad))
In 2020, people seem to forget that the Cold War happened and that the KGB, GRU, etc. existed. Most of these outrageous CIA actions were done in the context of combating the Soviets.
In short, you will probably never be able to remove the role of intelligence from geopolitics.
If this article have a message is that those dirty wars were against the poor people living in those countries, not against the KGB.
And what is the excuse after the cold war? Because nothing has really changed.
"In the context of combatting the Soviets" isn't a good excuse. If these acts were done to combat the Soviets it may have been worthwhile, but using the Communist scape goat to force your will on the world, which is what the article is claiming happened, should not be common foreign policy.
Change soviets with terrorists for 21st century.
Take your low-effort outrage elsewhere, please.