> What the hell?! Isn't this what we pay the CIA for?

No, we don't pay the CIA to fight UAEs wars. I mean, sometimes that happens, but it's not their central function.

> I mean seriously, what are my black-ops tax dollars funding these days?

Presumably, unless you are a UAE taxpayer, not this, except perhaps very indirectly.

Intelligence agents try to use proxies whenever possible - local assets are deniable, blend better, know less, and are more expendible.

> what are my black-ops tax dollars funding these days?

Domestic propaganda

And the CIA pays the mercs or the people that pay the mercs.