Political Science

For starters, it is worth appreciating the fact that intelligence is Americas first line of defense in the war on terrorism. However, the overall problem afflicting the sector in the United States can be traced back to the shock September 11 terrorist attacks, which focused overdue attention on the failings of the U.S intelligence system. This necessitated reforms in the sector, but worth noting is the fact that, although the landmark intelligence reform bill, dubbed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, was passed under the Bush regime (2004), prospects for real change are rather remote, attributed to the bureaucratic self-protection and insider squabbling that have thwarted sound policy time and again, further worsening consequences for national security (Richelson, 1995).

Additionally, the leadership issue has become even more muddled, citing the new two-headed intelligence structure, spearheaded by the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA Director.

Along the same line, the Intelligence Community (IC) refers to an assemblage of 16 separate agency intelligence organizations which serve to gather, evaluate and distribute information, most of which is regarded secret. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) controls and coordinates the activities of these organizations, and (s)he (Director) reports to the President, and is charged with the development of the overall intelligence budget, the design of procedures to govern large intelligence acquisitions, the setting of priorities and coordination of activities policies for the 16 intelligence agencies, whilst also monitoring covert operations, setting policy for working with foreign intelligence services and having the authority to request information from non-intelligence agencies, not to mention performing joint planning for counterterrorism operations for the 16 intelligence agencies. In addition, the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), staffed by terrorism experts from the CIA, FBI and the Pentagon, also reports to the Director of National Intelligence.

Role of intelligence in matters of national security is underscored by the manner in which Hitler was defeated, thus preventing the Cold War from turning into a nuclear war and keeping the superpower arms race in check (Richelson, 1995).

Notwithstanding, the intelligence community is plagued by a number of problems, such as inefficient use of limited resources and confused lines of responsibility (Andregg, 2001). Also, dangerous ambiguities, bureaucratic infighting and unnecessary duplication all serve to hurt the governments ability to understand and warn against potential terrorist attacks.