Why It’s Hard to Be the DNI and What’s Next for the Role
Every Director of National Intelligence (DNI) since the office’s creation in 2004 has been faced with an impossible challenge—leading a community he or she does not own and cannot direct. This FAL brief explores the defining moments that led to the creation of the IC and to the formation of the DNI, the roles and responsibilities of the DNI and its limitations, and how we should be thinking about the future role of the DNI for the decades to come.
Recent Leaks of Intelligence and Mitigating Future Leaks
The recent leak of highly classified documents revealed information potentially damaging to U.S. national security. FAL's brief will not repost the contents of the documents or comment on their authenticity, but will discuss the consequences of this leak and others before it, and recommend ways to better protect classified information.
Section 702: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How It Works
Scores of intelligence successes over the last 15 years have depended on one section in one law that will expire at the end of this year. Allowing 702 to expire will blind us to threats when our adversaries are ramping up their espionage efforts. Here are some of the core questions about 702 collection, including what it does and does not allow, what safeguards are in place to protect Americans’ privacy, and what happens if it expires.
How U.S. Leaders Can Respond to China's Surveillance Balloon
The Chinese spy balloon should be viewed as a tangible example of China’s aggressive intelligence gathering strategy, particularly on how China seeks to collect information on the U.S. military and critical infrastructure. It should also sound the alarm on how America protects the homeland. Read FAL's policy recommendations for U.S. leaders in light of the transit of a Chinese surveillance operation across the continental United States.
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