Snapler

Recently the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Dennis Blair, testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee about the suspect accused of trying to detonate explosives on a Christmas Day flight. What was widely reported and roundly criticized was that Blair suggested a special interrogation group be used despite the fact that such a group does not yet exist. What received less attention was that according to the Washington Post, Blair and the heads of the FBI, National Counterterrorism Center, and Department of Homeland Security were not consulted about the decision to charge the suspect in a civilian criminal court. This incident has reopened debate about the role of the DNI and the intent of the Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. While this debate plays out, there are three actions that should be taken to build the Intelligence Community (IC) into a stronger and more cohesive unit and improve oversight of it.

First, leaders from both parties of the House and Senate intelligence committees should team with the administration to formally review and assess the effectiveness of the Intelligence Reform Act in order to implement midcourse corrections. Only five years since it became law, a thorough review would ensure it is fulfilling congressional intent and is properly implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report. An undeniable fact is that at least one key recommendation of that Report has not been acted upon -- a call for a unity of effort in Congress that would be the "most difficult and important recommendation" to implement.

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