Gina Haspel, the newly nominated first-ever female director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is a career intelligence officer with more than 30 years' experience.
Controversially, she ran a prison in Thailand where suspected al-Qaeda members were tortured by waterboarding in 2002.
The so-called black sites - secret overseas locations where the CIA carried out what it termed "enhanced interrogation" techniques - were closed by former US President Barack Obama.
However, President Donald Trump has since spoken out in favour of the harsh interrogation of suspects.
Ms Haspel, 61, has extensive overseas experience and has served as chief of station on several postings.