Brookings: Topics - Intelligence

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.

Counterterrorism: Kill or Be Killed?

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the post-9/11 era, the United States is grappling with many ethical, operational and political questions regarding the targeted killings of terrorists. Dan Byman argues that such strikes are a painful necessity in a time when U.S. foes cannot be found or fought onconventional battlefields.

Do Targeted Killings Work?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

CIA Director Leon Panetta has cancelled a secret CIA plan to train anti-terrorist assassins, but Daniel Byman notes that strikes by U.S. military drones have had mixed success as a tactic for combating al Qaeda in Pakistan. Given the humanitarian and political risks, each strike needs to be carefully weighed. But equally important is the risk of not striking—and inadvertently allowing al Qaeda leaders free reign to plot terrorist mayhem.

A Guide to Talking with Insurgents

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman writes that talking with insurgents is often a necessary first step toward defeating them or reaching an acceptable compromise. Pointing to successes in Iraq and elsewhere, Byman addresses the costs and advantages of talking with insurgents to draw conclusions about how lessons learned may be applied to Afghanistan.

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.

The Surprising Absence of an October Surprise

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Terrorism analysts repeatedly warned that al-Qaeda might strike in the days leading up to the election, but November 4th came and went without incident. Daniel Byman explains why the U.S. did not witness any acts of terrorism in the run-up to this years election.

Strategic Counterterrorism

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Terrorism is a real and urgent threat to the U.S. and its interests; a threat that could become far more dangerous if terrorists acquire nuclear or biological weapons. Daniel Benjamin explores the drawbacks of using military force in combating terrorism and elaborates on the need for a positive agenda for the Muslim world -- one that deepens U.S. engagement in Muslim nations as they seek to modernize.

The Next Chapter: The United States and Pakistan

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The bilateral Pakistan Policy Working Group, of which Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen Cohen is a member, issued a new report on the U.S.-Pakistan relationship moving forward. The report recommends commissioning a new National Intelligence Estimate upon which to base U.S. policy. It also advocates greater economic aid, public diplomacy, market access and assistance with counterinsurgency, assuming Pakistan can deliver results against extremism in the tribal areas and adequately oversee its intelligence services.

CIA et banlieues françaises: décryptage d'une info choc

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Justin Vaisse discusses initiatives taken by the American Embassy in Paris towards the banlieues (or poor neighborhoods) and the Muslim community. (French)

Les Américains cherchent à se créer un réseau

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Justin Vaisse discusses initiatives taken by the American Embassy in Paris towards the banlieues (or poor neighborhoods) and the Muslim community in an interview with Le Parisien. (French)

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.

In Battling Terrorism, the French Excel

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In just under two decades, France has gone from being a hub of terrorist activity to the most effective counter-terrorism practitioner in Europe, according to analyst Jeremy Shapiro.

Israel & India: New Allies

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel addresses the Israeli-Indian relationship in light of increased military and intelligence cooperation among the two nations. Arguing that the United States has played a role in fostering the friendship, he believes that the "connection in commercial military and space intelligence fields is good for both countries and for the United States."

Assassinating Terrorists: The bin Laden Case

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel explores the history and failures of U.S. attempts to kill Osama bin Laden and what assassinations of terror leaders may mean for their organizations and enemy targets.

Have We Exaggerated the Threat of Terrorism?

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 21, 2008, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The Crisis in the Middle East Task Force addressed the terrorism threat in its sixth session on February 21, 2008. This session, hosted by the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, assessed the risks of and appropriate responses to terrorism.

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."

The Iran National Intelligence Estimate and Intelligence Assessment Capabilities

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 20, 2007, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Dr. Gary Samore of the Council on Foreign Relations presented ideas on the technical significance of the recently released National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran and its implications for diplomatic efforts to prevent or delay Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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.

Modernizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In December 2005, the New York Times reported, and President Bush confirmed, that the National Security Agency had been conducting electronic surveillance of international communications, to or from the U.S., without obeying the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The disclosure ignited a wildfire of political and legal controversy, which continues to generate heat today.

The Five Front War: The Better Way to Fight Global Jihad

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 12, 2007, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a policy luncheon with Daniel L. Byman and Richard Clarke. Kenneth M. Pollack, Director of Research of the Saban Center, chaired the discussion.

Saban Forum 2007

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 03, 2007, 12:00 PM to 11/5/2007 12:00 PM

Just weeks before a U.S.-sponsored peace meeting on the Middle East in Annapolis, Maryland, the Saban Forum held its fourth annual U.S.-Israel dialogue from November 3-5, 2007, bringing a high-level, bipartisan U.S. delegation to Jerusalem for discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the theme of “War and Peace in the Middle East.”

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.

Lessons from Israel’s Intelligence Reforms

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Yosef Kuperwasser examines intelligence reforms in Israel by identifying a number of geo-strategic changes and new understandings. He also offers lessons for the United States to consider as the post-September 11, 2001 examination of the American intelligence system continues.

5 Myths About Renditions (and the Movie Version)

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In light of a new Hollywood movie, hearings in Congress and legal cases in numerous Western countries, Daniel Benjamin addresses myths about renditions now largely associated with the war on terrorism.

The Democrats and Bush Don't Really Disagree Much on FISA

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Democratic leaders in the House promised to bring a bill back to the floor this week to update warrantless wiretapping laws. One thing is abundantly clear, states fellow Benjamin Wittes, the Democrats and Bush administration don't really disagree much on FISA.

John E. McLaughlin, Former Acting CIA Director, Named Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:08:17 GMT

John E. McLaughlin, long-time official with the Central Intelligence Agency CIA), who rose to become acting director, has been named a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (5/4/05)

Should There be a "War on Terror"?

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Parts one and three of a four-part debate between Philip Gordon and Reuel Marc Gerecht, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the war on terror.

The Law On Wiretapping

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Benjamin Wittes; The New Republic (8/18/07)

Congress, The Attorney General and The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Benjamin Wittes; The New Republic (8/6/07)

More Change May be Coming at CIA

Sun, 07 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Michael E. O'Hanlon, NPR (5/7/06)

9/11 Commission: A Review of the Second Act

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday the ten former members of the 9/11 Commission, working together as private group called the 9/11 Public Discourse Project (PDP), released a 5-page final report grading the enactment of the Commission's recommendations published in July 2004.

Terrorism Threat 'Will Never Go Away'

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Richard A. Falkenrath, CNN (12/5/05)

Joint Statement on the Patriot Act

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Letter to Congress (6/16/05)

A To-Do List for America's New Spy Chief

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Bob Graham and Flynt L. Leverett, Financial Times (12/16/04)

Intelligence Reform in the Wake of the 9/11 Commission Report

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 23, 2004, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Event Summary: Intelligence Reform in the Wake of the 9/11 Commission Report

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Event summary of the Brookings briefing. (9/23/04)

Intelligence and a Power-Play

Wed, 08 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Ivo H. Daalder, Marketplace (9/8/04)

Smart Choices About Intelligence Reform

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ivo H. Daalder and Anthony Lake, Boston Globe (8/19/04)

Senate Should Check Doubts About Goss

Fri, 13 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael A. Levi, Newsday (8/13/04)

A Loophole for Covert Operations

Sun, 08 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Jennifer D. Kibbe, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (8/8/04)

The 9/11 Commission Report: Limits of Hasty Reform

Thu, 05 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Washington Times (8/5/04)

The 9/11 Commission Report: Limitations of Imagination

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Michael E. O'Hanlon, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (8/4/04)

Can The C.I.A. Really Be That Bad?

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, New York Times (7/13/2004)

Force Spies to Work Together

Fri, 09 Jul 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Flynt L. Leverett, New York Times (7/9/04)

Intelligence Collection and Information Sharing within the United States

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Larry D. Thompson, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (12/8/03)

Building Intelligence to Fight Terrorism

Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #125 by James B. Steinberg, Mary Graham, Andrew Eggers. (September 2003)

Implementing Homeland Security

Sat, 30 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Paul C. Light, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies, the Brookings Institution, on Weekend Edition, November 30, 2002

A Hollow Tribute; The creation of the Homeland Security Department, government's largest reorganization since the Truman days, likely will be the most difficult to manage

Thu, 01 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Paul C. Light, Director, Center for Public Service, in Government Executive, August 2002

Defending America, Revised and Updated : The Case for Limited National Missile Defense

Sat, 01 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT

In Defending America, James M. Lindsay and Michael E. O¡¯Hanlon provide a balanced, nonpartisan analysis of missile defense.

The Hyperpower Challenged by Hyperterrorism

Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

The Hyperpower Challenged by Hyperterrorism, article in Politique Internationale, by Justin Vaisse, Affiliated Scholar, Center on the US and France, The Brookings Institution

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,

Heritability Estimates Versus Large Environmental Effects: The IQ Paradox Resolved

Sun, 01 Apr 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Darwin's Origin of Species sparked the modern debate about genes versus environment in explaining differences between human individuals and groups. Ever since, the pendulum of scientific opinion has swung back and forth with consensus always out of reach. William Dickens proposes a model that could solve the paradox: people who have an advantage for a particular trait will become matched with superior environments for that trait; and that genes can derive a great advantage from this because genetic differences are persistent.