DNI UNVEILS 2009 NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY

 

Strategy Lays Out Goals and Priorities; Ensures Coordination and Accountability Across 16 Intelligence Agencies 

Related documents: 

• 2009 National Intelligence Strategy 
• 2009 National Intelligence Strategy Fact Sheet 
• 2009 National Intelligence Strategy Frequently Asked Questions 

The Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair today unveiled the 2009 National Intelligence Strategy – the blueprint that will drive the priorities for the nation’s 16 intelligence agencies over the next 4 years.  The National Intelligence Strategy (NIS) is one of the most important documents for the Intelligence Community (IC) as it lays out the strategic environment, sets priorities and objectives, and guides current and future decisions on budgets, acquisitions, and operations. 

“This strategy advances our original, founding directive to achieve an Intelligence Community that is integrated and collaborative.  But it really goes much further than that.  It reflects a more refined understanding of the threats we face and how we’ll combat them.  In describing our objectives, it prescribes methods for achieving them that can only be carried out by an Intelligence Community that is agile, adaptive, and united.  Most importantly, it recognizes that national security hinges on good intelligence and it provides me with the tools I need to monitor performance and ensure accountability,” Blair said. 

The National Intelligence Strategy lays out the strategic environment – challenges the U.S. faces not only from other nations and non-state actors, but also from global trends related to forces like economics, the environment, emerging technology, and pandemic disease.  It identifies four IC-wide goals to: enable wise national security policies, support national security actions, deliver top-notch capabilities, and operate as a team.  Finally, it explains the IC’s objectives – what the IC intends to accomplish (6 mission objectives) and how the IC will accomplish them (enterprise objectives). 

The 6 “mission objectives” are: 1) Combat Violent Extremism; 2) Counter WMD Proliferation; 3) Provide Strategic Intelligence and Warning; 4) Integrate Counterintelligence capabilities; 5) Enhance Cybersecurity; and 6) Support Current Operations (ongoing U.S. diplomatic, military, and law enforcement operations). 

The 7 “enterprise objectives” are: 1) Enhance Community Mission Management; 2) Strengthen Partnerships; 3) Streamline Business Processes; 4) Improve Information Integration & Sharing; 5) Advance S&T/R&D; 6) Develop the Workforce; and 7) Improve Acquisition. 

“Guided by the NIS, we will succeed by harnessing our skills, work ethic, courage, and creativity.  I am confident that we will become an even more agile, adaptive, and united community.  And, we will operate at all times under the rule of law, respectful of privacy, civil liberties, and human rights,” Blair concluded. 

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, now in its fourth year, oversees the coordination and integration of the16 federal organizations that make up the Intelligence Community. The DNI sets the priorities for and manages the implementation of the National Intelligence Program. Additionally, the DNI serves as the principal adviser to the president and the National Security Council on all intelligence issues related to national security.