Today's Article
One of the last Bush
Administration
directives established
'communities of
Interest'...'to maximize
intelligence collection
and all-source
analytic coordination.'
Administration
directives established
'communities of
Interest'...'to maximize
intelligence collection
and all-source
analytic coordination.'
The American Spark
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Bush Administration Directive Increased Intelligence Collection
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 27th, 2009
New inter-agency structures supposedly meant to provide a superior intelligence response to national security
threats were the subject of a recently-disclosed Intelligence Community (IC)Directive, one of the last produced
by the Bush Administration.
The directive established "Communities of Interest" (COI), "to maximize intelligence collection and all-source
analytic coordination."
"IC stakeholders in the maritime and air COIs shall aggressively collaborate and share information to
proactively identify and mitigate threats posed within these domains as early and as geographically distant
from the U.S. as possible," stated the January 2009 directive.
The maximization of air domain awareness "directs development and improvement of new capabilities that
enable persistent and effective monitoring of all aircraft, cargo, people, and infrastructure in identified areas of
interest and at designated times, consistent with protecting civil liberties and privacy," stated the directive.
Exactly how the U.S. government is to engage in a "persistent and effective monitoring of all...people and
infrastructure in identified areas of interest" without conducting an "unreasonable search and seizure" of
individuals and their activities was not immediately clear from the directive.
"Creating a shared common awareness among intelligence, law enforcement and operational communities is a
complex task," added the directive, "and many associated policy and legal implications must be resolved to
achieve success."
The January 14th, 2009 directive was signed by Bush Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell.
This drive to create a world-wide, integrated intelligence power--which supposedly will protect America from
some unknown, unnamed groups of devils forever on the verge of destroying civilization--was no singular
brainstorm from McConnell, but had been an essential part of the Bush Administration's so-called "War on
Terror."
The McConnell directive, made effective in the last days of the Bush Administration, squares nicely with a July
2008 National Intelligence report entitled, Vision 2015: "A Globally Networked and Integrated Intelligence
Enterprise."
This fascinating study apparently put forth what had been the Bush Administration's vision of a massive,
ever-intrusive intelligence community.
Note two constants in the National Intelligence study:
1.)"Homeland security" was a matter beyond any actual enemy. - No one person or group was the enemy of
"homeland security"; the 'enemy' instead was anyone who may interfere with absolute U.S. economic, social,
political or military dominance. Since such people may appear 100 years down the road as well as in the next
few days, "homeland security" was to be a perpetual concern.
2.) The constant emphasis on fear. - Every change in the world was a cause for fear; every new player on the
world stage was an opponent; every one with a different view or different way of life, a potential enemy.
Invisible devils were everywhere and nowhere--American citizens were forever defenseless, and forever on the
verge of obliteration.
We offer a mere opinion here, but we think history proves it to be sound. True defenders work to make you feel
at ease and less fearful; that, after all, is the whole point of defense. Defenders do not constantly stoke your
fears and prey on vague, undefinable worries. Such may be the work of people interested in gaining some
power over you, but it cannot be the action of those seriously interested in defending you.
Having stated that, we provide quotes from Vision 2015, below:
"We live in a dynamic world in which the pace, scope, and complexity of change are increasing. The continued
march of globalization, the growing number of independent actors, and advancing technology have increased
global connectivity, interdependence and complexity, creating greater uncertainties, systemic risk and a less
predictable future.
"These changes have led to reduced warning times and compressed decision cycles. Although this
interconnected world offers many opportunities for technological innovation and economic growth, it also
presents unique challenges and threats. In this environment, the key to achieving lasting [U.S.] strategic
advantage is the ability to rapidly and accurately anticipate and adapt to complex challenges. [...]
"The future portends discontinuities with new threats from non-traditional actors, new modes of attack, and
more lethal impact. Intelligence must be more integrated and agile to assist in preventing and responding to
these challenges. [...]
"To these persistent threats we add a growing array of emerging missions that expands the list of national
security (and hence, intelligence) concerns to include infectious diseases, science and technology surprises,
financial contagions, economic competition, environmental issues, energy interdependence and security[i.e., oil
supplies, etc.], cyber attacks, threats to global commerce, and transnational crime. [...]
"For [intelligence] collection, the challenge will extend beyond developing a critical source or exploiting a key
data stream, to determining how to synchronize dissimilar platforms and sources against fleeting and vaguely
defined targets, using our collection assets to prompt, detect and respond to what the collection system
discovers. Deep and persistent penetration is key for collection. [Emphasis in the original.]"
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 27th, 2009
New inter-agency structures supposedly meant to provide a superior intelligence response to national security
threats were the subject of a recently-disclosed Intelligence Community (IC)Directive, one of the last produced
by the Bush Administration.
The directive established "Communities of Interest" (COI), "to maximize intelligence collection and all-source
analytic coordination."
"IC stakeholders in the maritime and air COIs shall aggressively collaborate and share information to
proactively identify and mitigate threats posed within these domains as early and as geographically distant
from the U.S. as possible," stated the January 2009 directive.
The maximization of air domain awareness "directs development and improvement of new capabilities that
enable persistent and effective monitoring of all aircraft, cargo, people, and infrastructure in identified areas of
interest and at designated times, consistent with protecting civil liberties and privacy," stated the directive.
Exactly how the U.S. government is to engage in a "persistent and effective monitoring of all...people and
infrastructure in identified areas of interest" without conducting an "unreasonable search and seizure" of
individuals and their activities was not immediately clear from the directive.
"Creating a shared common awareness among intelligence, law enforcement and operational communities is a
complex task," added the directive, "and many associated policy and legal implications must be resolved to
achieve success."
The January 14th, 2009 directive was signed by Bush Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell.
This drive to create a world-wide, integrated intelligence power--which supposedly will protect America from
some unknown, unnamed groups of devils forever on the verge of destroying civilization--was no singular
brainstorm from McConnell, but had been an essential part of the Bush Administration's so-called "War on
Terror."
The McConnell directive, made effective in the last days of the Bush Administration, squares nicely with a July
2008 National Intelligence report entitled, Vision 2015: "A Globally Networked and Integrated Intelligence
Enterprise."
This fascinating study apparently put forth what had been the Bush Administration's vision of a massive,
ever-intrusive intelligence community.
Note two constants in the National Intelligence study:
1.)"Homeland security" was a matter beyond any actual enemy. - No one person or group was the enemy of
"homeland security"; the 'enemy' instead was anyone who may interfere with absolute U.S. economic, social,
political or military dominance. Since such people may appear 100 years down the road as well as in the next
few days, "homeland security" was to be a perpetual concern.
2.) The constant emphasis on fear. - Every change in the world was a cause for fear; every new player on the
world stage was an opponent; every one with a different view or different way of life, a potential enemy.
Invisible devils were everywhere and nowhere--American citizens were forever defenseless, and forever on the
verge of obliteration.
We offer a mere opinion here, but we think history proves it to be sound. True defenders work to make you feel
at ease and less fearful; that, after all, is the whole point of defense. Defenders do not constantly stoke your
fears and prey on vague, undefinable worries. Such may be the work of people interested in gaining some
power over you, but it cannot be the action of those seriously interested in defending you.
Having stated that, we provide quotes from Vision 2015, below:
"We live in a dynamic world in which the pace, scope, and complexity of change are increasing. The continued
march of globalization, the growing number of independent actors, and advancing technology have increased
global connectivity, interdependence and complexity, creating greater uncertainties, systemic risk and a less
predictable future.
"These changes have led to reduced warning times and compressed decision cycles. Although this
interconnected world offers many opportunities for technological innovation and economic growth, it also
presents unique challenges and threats. In this environment, the key to achieving lasting [U.S.] strategic
advantage is the ability to rapidly and accurately anticipate and adapt to complex challenges. [...]
"The future portends discontinuities with new threats from non-traditional actors, new modes of attack, and
more lethal impact. Intelligence must be more integrated and agile to assist in preventing and responding to
these challenges. [...]
"To these persistent threats we add a growing array of emerging missions that expands the list of national
security (and hence, intelligence) concerns to include infectious diseases, science and technology surprises,
financial contagions, economic competition, environmental issues, energy interdependence and security[i.e., oil
supplies, etc.], cyber attacks, threats to global commerce, and transnational crime. [...]
"For [intelligence] collection, the challenge will extend beyond developing a critical source or exploiting a key
data stream, to determining how to synchronize dissimilar platforms and sources against fleeting and vaguely
defined targets, using our collection assets to prompt, detect and respond to what the collection system
discovers. Deep and persistent penetration is key for collection. [Emphasis in the original.]"
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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