The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 was the most significant legislation affecting the U.S. intelligence community since the National Security Act of 1947. Enacted in the wake of the 9/11 Commission’s final report, the 2004 act attempted to ensure closer coordination among intelligence agencies especially counterterrorism efforts. Most notably, the Intelligence Reform Act established the position of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with more extensive authorities to coordinate the nation’s intelligence effort than those formerly possessed by Directors of Central Intelligence. The DNI speaks for U.S. intelligence, he briefs the President, has authority to develop the budget for the national intelligence effort and manage appropriations made by Congress, and, to some extent, can transfer personnel and funds from one agency to another. The Office of the DNI (ODNI), a staff of some 1,600 officials along with additional contract personnel, works to carry out the DNI’s responsibilities. Further, the roles of the DNI and the ODNI are likely to form the backdrop for congressional consideration of intelligence authorization legislation. In addition, confirmation hearings for General James R. Clapper, Jr., nominated by President Obama on June 7, 2010, to serve as the fourth DNI, are likely to include …show more content…
However, intelligence operations influence executive decisions. With the different agencies and military conducting intelligence operations, intelligence sharing amongst the organizations becomes obsolete. Meaning, each intelligence entity conducts the collection effort and process the information for dissemination, but does not share the information with other agencies. To eliminate the confusion and conflict in conducting covert action a clear definition and understanding of covert action compared to clandestine operations.