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The Intelligence Process
Threats Facing the United States
The Intelligence Community at Work
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Integration,
evaluation, and analysis of all available data and the preparation
of a variety of intelligence products, including timely, single-source,
event-oriented reports and longer term, all-source, finished intelligence
studies.
Most intelligence organizations assign analysts to a particular
geographic or functional specialty. Analysts obtain information
from all sources pertinent to their areas of responsibility through
the collection, forwarding, and processing systems.
Analysts absorb incoming information, evaluate it, produce an assessment
of the current state of affairs within an assigned field or substantive
area, and then forecast future trends or outcomes. Analysts are
encouraged to include alternative futures in their assessments and
to look for opportunities to warn about possible developments abroad
that could either threaten or provide opportunities for US security
and policy interests. The analyst also develops requirements for
collection of new information.
For example, if the nuclear program of a country were being assessed,
the analysis probably would involve technical experts and country
specialists from several agencies, including CIA, the Bureau of
Intelligence and Research (INR) of the State Department, DIA, the
Department of Energy (DOE), and perhaps others.
During periods of international crisis or on occasions when intelligence
support is critical to high-level negotiations, an interagency task
force is often created to address critical intelligence needs. The
DCI directs that a particular agency serve as executive agent responsible
for task force support. Such a unit produces periodic situation
reports (SITREPS) to be disseminated to appropriate policymakers.
It also disseminates other daily intelligence updates and products.
When an international crisis involves, or may involve, the US military,
acting unilaterally or as part of a multinational coalition, the
Director, DIA, establishes an Intelligence Task Force (ITF) dedicated
to round-the-clock intelligence support of the operational and combatant
commands involved. In cases of lesser US military involvement, the
J2 initially establishes a working group. These ITFs and working
groups are made up of analysts and other experts from DIA, the military
services, and interested agencies throughout the Intelligence Community.
ITFs and working groups respond to the requests of participating
US forces; they also produce Defense Intelligence Reports as well
as briefings and desk notes for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff who keeps the Secretary of Defense and the White House
apprised of up-to-the-minute developments.
Counterintelligence and counterterrorism analyses provide strategic
assessments of foreign intelligence and terrorist groups and prepare
tactical options for ongoing operations and investigations.
The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) was established in
accordance with Presidential guidance as the federal government's
focal point for analyzing and integrating all available information
on terrorist threats to our Nation and providing that information
to the senior leadership of the Nation, other elements of the federal
government, and state and local officials through its mission partners.
NCTC partners include Departments of Defense (DoD), State, and Homeland
Security, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Longer range, more intractable intelligence challenges are addressed
by grouping analytic and operational personnel from concerned agencies
into closely-knit functional units. The DCI Weapons Intelligence,
Nonproliferation and Arms Control Center (WINP AC), DCI Crime and
Narcotics Center, and Counterintelligence Center all provide assessments
and support for the policy and enforcement communities.
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Links to Related Information
Improved Analysis at the Central Intelligence Agency
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