Brookings: Topics - Central Intelligence Agency

A Response to Ken Lieberthal's Report on the Intelligence Community

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Federal Executive Fellow Matthew Frankel explores Ken Lieberthal's recent report, "The U.S. Intelligence Community and Foreign Policy: Getting Analysis Right." While Frankel argues the paper makes excellent points throughout, he examines several which he feels deserve rebuttal.

Examining the Procedures Used by the U.S. Intelligence Community

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:14:33 GMT

Ken Lieberthal reveals that many of the procedures and processes used by the U.S. Intelligence Community are flawed and often counterproductive. He identifies weaknesses in the intelligence services and recommends actions for strengthening this important tool of U.S. foreign policy.

The U.S. Intelligence Community and Foreign Policy

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Analytical products of the U.S. intelligence community (IC) are intended to provide information for policy makers to understand issues and make decisions. Kenneth Lieberthal assesses recent reforms in the IC and looks to where IC analysis still falls short, why those shortcomings exist, what reforms could help and how the IC can better serve policy makers.

Sunni and Shi ’a Terrorism: Differences that Matter

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are significant and little appreciated differences in the trajectory of Sunni extremist terrorism and that of Shi’a extremism. 2007-2008 Federal Executive Fellow Thomas F. Lynch explores the differences that exist across six key areas that impact American policy considerations, especially in light of steadily escalating tensions with Iran.

How 9/11 is Connected to December 13

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel writes that the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament is connected to the September 11 attacks on the United States. As tensions between India and Pakistan mounted following the December attack, Riedel notes that large numbers of Pakistani forces were sent to the Indian border, which then allowed al-Qaeda members to move more freely in the western border regions while seeking safe haven.

Terrorist Safe Havens in Pakistan

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel joined the Philadephia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin to discuss terrorism related to Pakistan and what the United States should do in the region.

John Yoo Interrogation Memo

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Justice Department recently released John Yoo's 2003 "torture" memo to Congress. Questions remain on what to do with the people the military and the CIA interrogated brutally in 2002 and 2003, writes Ben Wittes, and how the CIA should handle such people in the future.

Six Years Later: Innovative Approaches to Defeating Al Qaeda

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Dan Byman states that "to succeed in the long-term, counterterrorism policies must be politically viable for decades." He offers ideas for policy implementations now that can bring consensus and harbor well-informed debate on the issues at hand.

The Iranian Nuclear Program after the National Intelligence Estimate

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Philip Gordon offers possible outcomes following a recent U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that downplays the risk of the Iranian nuclear weapon ambitions. He concludes that the findings will make it harder for the U.S. to gain support for sanctions against the program and that the NIE "will facilitate Iran’s potential development of a nuclear weapon in several ways."

Winning the Right War

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Philip Gordon states that six years after the start of the U.S. led war on terror, America and its allies are less safe. He discusses how and where the U.S. has failed in its objectives and offers ideas to help move the war in the right direction.

Can the War on Terror be Won?

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Phil Gordon discusses U.S. strategies for combating the War on Terrorism. Ultimately, Gordon believes the War on Terror can only be won through a dramatic change in idealogy that embraces mulilaterialism, and promotes political, economic, and educational changes in the Middle East.

Extraordinary Rendition, Extraterritorial Detention, and Treatment of Detainees: Restoring Our Moral Credibility and Strengthening Our Diplomatic Standing

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Daniel L. Byman before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (7/26/07)

Defending America : The Case for Limited National Missile Defense

Tue, 15 May 2001 00:00:00 GMT

With clear and lively prose free of partisan rhetoric, Defending America provides reliable, factual analysis of the missile defense debate. Written for a general audience, it assesses the current and likely future missile threat to the United States,