Intelligence Issues for Congress
Abstract
To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation calls for a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (DCI). Making cooperation effective presents substantial leadership and managerial challenges. The needs of intelligence "consumers" -- ranging from the White House to cabinet agencies to military commanders -- must all be met, using the same systems and personnel. Intelligence collection systems are expensive and some critics suggest there have been elements of waste and unneeded duplication of effort while some intelligence "targets" have been neglected. Intelligence agencies have understandably tended to protect their unique sources of information and resist efforts to make sensitive data widely available, even in classified channels. Breaking down agency "stovepipes" that keep information from consumers who legitimately need it continues to be a challenge for senior policy makers and Members of Congress. The new DNI will have substantial statutory authorities to address these issues, but the organizational relationships will remain complex, especially for Defense Department agencies. Members of Congress will be seeking to observe the extent to which effective coordination is accomplished.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450399
Entities
People
- Richard A.. Best Jr.
Organizations
- Library of Congress