Rethinking the State Department's Role in Intelligence

Publication Date: February 1988

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Carnes Lord

Research Area: Government

Keywords: Government reform

Type: Report

Abstract:

It is time for a fundamental reexamination of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. INR performs an important role in coordinating the transfer of intelligence information to and from the intelligence community and in handling it within State. With regard to intelligence analysis, however, INR performs largely redundant functions that it is poorly equipped to carry out. More important, its analyses are often institutionally biased and provide flawed guidance to the nation's national security policy makers.