The U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) is a diverse and complex community of professionals whose due diligence and professionalism provides intelligence information to decision and policy makers. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) made significant changes in the IC however may not have yet gone far enough. The following changes to the IC could enhance what is already foundational. 1) The most drastic change I would recommend would be to create a Cabinet post, Secretary of Intelligence and place all aspects of intelligence policy and budget under that Cabinet. It is impossible to list out all the benefits of this change in a short essay, nor argue both sides of this issue which would take volumes. Therefore, for this discussion the following assumption is made. The President has made this decision and the IC has agreed to execute it.
The primary benefit of a Cabinet post will be the development of one coherent intelligence policy, which captures all facets and sources of intelligence. No single intelligence office would necessarily take a back seat to any other. For example, terrorist organizations need money which is an aspect worked by the Department of Treasury intelligence office. They also use communications equipment, an aspect worked by the DoD National Security Agency.
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This body should be the center of gravity in all things developed concerning terrorism and the defenses against it. The increase of power and synergy of the NCTC will require new laws. These new laws would create a way for the US military to be employed against terrorist at home and abroad. Currently the military is forced to hand off the development of targets once they enter the Homeland, this may cause a delay in the continued pursuit against the target. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 could not have envisioned the constraints it would levy against the protection of the
The organization I have chosen for this essay is CSIS ( Canadian Security Intelligence Service ). CSIS closely resembles The Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) or British Security Intelligence Service. I have chosen this organization because I have great interest in becoming an employee of CSIS in the future. This essay will provide brief history of CSIS, the responsibilities of CSIS for Canada, and the application process for an entry – level position. These will be further discussed in greater detail as the essay goes on.
The pros of electronic surveillance are extensive. The ability for agents of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) to intercept and process communications and information from foreign powers, agents of foreign powers, international terrorist organizations, and others who seek to engage in activities with such groups, provides the ...
The DIA started in 1958. The organizational structure of the DoD and U.S. foreign intelligence came to a new shape with the establishment of DIA. It was Robert McNamara, then Secretary of Defense, who came up with the concept of DIA in 1961. DIA gathers human source intelligence, analyzes technical intelligence, distributes intelligence/reports to the intelligence agencies, provides advice and support to the Joint Chiefs of Staff with foreign military intelligence, and provides military intelligence to combatant commands as its operational functions. A DIA director is supposed to be a three-star military general and DIA is believed to have employed at least 7,500 staff worldwide today. The DIA is a defense intelligence agency that prevents strategic surprises and delivers a decision advantage to warfighters, defense planners, and to policymakers. This paper will try to evaluate DIA’s role in US national security in present condition of massive budget deficits and increased congressional oversight, plus the intelligence capabilities of the Regional Combatant Commanders and the individual services like CIA and NSA.
CIA: The CIA is an American Intelligence Agency. Its purpose is to protect America from potential threats. (www.cia.gov) The CIA planned the escape of the six embassy employees. The film is largely based around the role of the CIA, slightly exaggerating the role they played in the crisis.
The National Security Advisor is a permanent cabinet member responsible for briefing the President on pertinent information collected from all U.S. intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and others. Some critics have charged that this violates the requirement in the U.S. Constitution that the Federal Budget be openly published. In 1988, President George H.W.... ... middle of paper ...
Lowenthal, Mark M. (2006). Intelligence: From secrets to policy [Third Edition]. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Intelligence collection and apprehension of criminals have occurred for many years; however, with the exception of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, these actions were performed by different organizations. Nonetheless, roles and responsibilities have changed since the attacks on September 11, 2001. Intelligence-led policing and the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing program were incorporated, and fusion centers were established to help gather intelligence from different levels of the government. Although law enforcement at the local, state, and tribal levels aid in intelligence collection, it is important to ensure that intelligence gathered to protect national security and law enforcement intelligence are kept separately. Even though law enforcement operations can strengthen intelligence operations and vice versa, complications can arise when the two actions are combined. Government agencies must also ensure that sensitive and secret information does not leak or is not compromised when sharing intelligence. Therefore the purpose is to describe intelligence and law enforcement operations, discuss the expectations of prevention and punishment, and discuss the benefits and consequences of combining law enforcement and intelligence operations.
And it protects our homeland by the homeland security including the defense of state and nation, including terrorism response. There are different state agencies that helps the homeland security to enforce law and secure the nation. The home land security is important cause it has every right to enforce necessary law that could help secure our country for terrorism and criminals. And the last committee that I would like to work is higher education.
Lowenthal, Mark, M. 2012. Intelligence From Secrets To Policy. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: SAGE/CQ Press.
As far as intelligence agencies go, there are a few that are common household names, like the CIA, NSA, and the FBI. Another agency that is still a major player, and has recently been the subject of much discussion and controversy is the DIA . The reason for this controversy and debate is because many people, both inside and outside of the IC , view the DIA as an agency that is no longer necessary within the IC. Although the DIA has shifted its focus in recent years, crossing over significantly into the realm of intelligence that is currently being covered by other organizations, they still have a very vital role as an organization within the IC. If the organization can redirect itself, returning to the roots of what it was originally created
Counterintelligence (CI) is defined as, “information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protected against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassination conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations or persons, or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities. ” The citizenry of the United States on the U.S. Government is the focus of the examination of counter intelligence of citizenry on its national government. Data collected and research performed by James Riedel seeks to establish the citizens as a network of spies on the U.S. Government. The spying of citizens on the government is referred to as “espionage” . Counter Intelligence as acts of espionage committed by U.S. citizens is described by Riedel as short in duration and “poorly paid” .
The Central Intelligence Agency’s main responsibility is stated in its Vision statement: “We will provide knowledge and take action to ensure the national security of the United States and the preservation of American life and ideals” (www.cia.gov). The CIA’s job is to provide pertinent, timely, and un-biased foreign intelligence. They also act as an unseen force by conducting undercover action as ordered by the President in order to preempt threats or achieve objectives of the United States. The CIA is the only intelligence organization that is not subject to cabinet prerogative, making it reliable in it is unbiased in its reports, because it has no political agenda. There are six main types of intelligence by which the CIA collects information. Human intelligence (HUMINT) is information gathered by field operatives through overt and covert techniques (www.cia.gov). Communications intelligence (COMINT) is acquired from intercepted foreign communications (www.cia.go...
To prevent tragedies like 9/11 from taking its toll on the United States, terrorism needs to be thought about still to this day. One quote that proves this point is, “In 2001, the federal commission warned that terrorists could get weapons that could cause mass destruction. Congress needs to work on the integrated governmental structures to better the nation's security” (Augustine). The nation's security can help with the destruction of weapons that are dangerous to the U.S. This can cause more attacks like 9/11 and create a larger threat to the population.
Lowenthal (2006) proposed several strategic implications associated with the myths and realities of the intelligence community. He implied OSINT is unable to offer the intelligence community with all the information it needs because there is still a large gap between what is collected and processed. Until there is a dedicated focus OSINT will always stay adjunct rather than a contributor b...
Describe the function and flow of strategic intelligence information: who collects the Intelligence, how it is used, and who uses it in order to augment national security.