Ways to Make Analysis Relevant but Not Prescriptive
Abstract
The CIA is neither a policy nor a law-enforcement agency-this is our mantra from the day that we sign on. Analysts do not have policy preferences. Analytic products do not lean in specific policy directions. The Agency produces intelligence free from political bias. We say implicitly that we focus on national interests, not the policy or political interests of an administration or the Congress. Every piece of intelligence we produce is to be both policy relevant and-despite the correlation between relevance and the political stakes behind it-reflect a non-politicized interpretation of the national interest. We say we can swim without getting wet. Remaining relevant but neutral is a noble goal, but not an easy one. The lure of conforming to the view of reality held by interested players in the Executive and Legislative Branches is strong, although our culture in the Intelligence Community alerts us to resist. But who determines what is in the national interest if not the policymakers and the political processes that empower them?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA514152
Entities
People
- Fulton T. Armstrong
Organizations
- Central Intelligence Agency