Greatest Impact On The Intelligence Community

p Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act : Impact on Intelligence Community

Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act : Impact on Intelligence Community

On 17 December 2004 , President Bush signed into law the broadest reorganization of the nation 's intelligence community in more than half a century . The legislation left many recommendations of the Sept . 11 commission still unfulfilled , including restructuring congressional oversight as well as broader strategic efforts to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction . Nor did it address commission recommendations to rethink U .S . relations with Saudi Arabia

or to expand diplomatic efforts to win friends in the Muslim world

Title III of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 reorganized the entire national security clearance system although the subject received practically no attention in public discussion during the 9 /11 Commission hearings . Because this change was not fully explored in either the House or Senate hearings or during floor debate , Title III includes contradictory provisions concerning the assignment of responsibilities for security clearance policies and procedures

If not the sweeping change that some hoped for , the reforms do amount to a subtle , but important , recalibration in the balance of power over U .S . intelligence activities . A concern among intelligence watchers is whom President Bush will nominate as the nation 's first DNI . That choice may prove more important than any single reform , defining the DNI 's role and helping chart the course for U .S . intelligence for years to come

The Intelligence reform act requires several key...