# FBI role in The Kingdom (2009 film) Spoilers

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-role-in-the-kingdom-2009-film-spoilers/1029808>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** movies\
**Created:** [May 5, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-role-in-the-kingdom-2009-film-spoilers/1029808 "2026-05-05T17:47:04Z")\
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**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-role-in-the-kingdom-2009-film-spoilers/1029808/1 "2026-05-05T17:47:04Z")

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I watched it last night and I must say it is one intense film when the team gets ambushed and isolated in the city. Jason Bateman nearly gets his head cut off a few times. The FBI sends a team to Saudi Arabia in response to an attack on a US agency.

But why would the FBI send a team to investigate? I would have expected the CIA or the Marines. Are attacks on US agencies in foreign soil part of the FBI’s charter?

Humorous bit: Back in the 1990s all the Federal offices and agencies were writing those touchy-feely mission statements just like all the corporations were doing. I thought they were goofy as Hell since you could change a few words and the Army’s mission statement sounded like a Fortune 500 company’s statement. I.e. "We are strongly focused on our customers needs and timely expectations and work tirelessly to provide…blah blah blah. Bunch of bullshit.

I happened to look at the CIA’s website for some reason. After the generic mission statement they had a FAQ. One of the questions was,

Q "Does the CIA spy on US citizens?

Their answer (paraphrased): No. That’s the job of the FBI. The CIA operates to protect US interests overseas.