Intelligence Issues for Congress
Abstract
The U.S. Intelligence Community continues to adjust to the 21st Century environment. Congressional and executive branch initiatives have emphasized improved cooperation among the different agencies that comprise the Community by giving greater coordination and managerial authority to the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). The 9/11 Commission recommended that a new position of National Intelligence Director with even more extensive authorities be established. Congress passed intelligence reorganization legislation, S. 2845, on December 7-8, 2004. Growing concerns about transnational threats, especially terrorism, are leading to increasingly close cooperation between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, for which no specific warning was provided, have led to increased emphasis on human intelligence, statutory changes permitting closer cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and to consideration of organizational changes to the Intelligence Community. Intelligence Community leadership and congressional committees have expressed determination to enhance analytical capabilities. A major concern is an imbalance between resources devoted to collection and those allocated to analysis, with collected data much exceeding analytical capabilities. In several regional crisis areas, the role of the U.S. Intelligence Community is especially important. Provisions for U.S. intelligence to monitor security arrangements between Israelis and Palestinians have been a factor in efforts to resolve Middle East tensions. Intelligence efforts have also been important in monitoring peace agreements in Bosnia. Intelligence support to military operations continues to be a major responsibility of intelligence agencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA474012
Entities
People
- Richard A.. Best Jr.
Organizations
- Library of Congress