NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM

    The National Intelligence Program (NIP) funds intelligence activities in several Departments and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The NIP budget is classified, so the 2009 Budget does not publicly disclose funding requests for intelligence activities. However, since the NIP supports key elements of America's national security and the Budget sustains the Administration’s investments in this area, this chapter highlights some of the NIP-funded activities without detailing funding information.

Collecting Intelligence and Strengthening Capabilities

• The 2009 Budget:

  • Funds effective intelligence collection;

  • Enables analysis of that intelligence and production of finished intelligence products;

  • Ensures timely and effective dissemination of intelligence to those who need it, ranging from the President, to heads of Executive Departments, to military forces, and to law enforcement communities; and

  • Strengthens intelligence agencies’ ability to collect intelligence from human sources, increase the security of Federal cyber networks, and protect against the threat of international terrorism in the United States.

Implementing the National Intelligence Strategy

• The Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the Director of the CIA, and Department Secretaries with intelligence organizations will use 2009 NIP funds to support the National Intelligence Strategy by providing intelligence for five mission objectives:

  • Defeat terrorists;

  • Prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction;

  • Bolster the growth of democracy;

  • Penetrate and analyze the most difficult targets of U.S. foreign policy; and

  • Anticipate developments of strategic concern.

Enhancing Integration and Collaboration through the DNI's 500-Day Plan

• Creates a culture of collaboration. Build a diverse intelligence workforce for the Nation that collaborates across professional disciplines and intelligence agencies.

• Accelerates information sharing. Establish common operating environments and information policies to ensure effective intelligence dissemination throughout the intelligence agencies and among authorized consumers.

• Fosters transformation. Develop and implement new methods of collecting intelligence and improve the analysis and dissemination of intelligence.

• Expands technology leadership. Facilitate advanced research on the frontiers of science that has the potential for substantial improvement of intelligence capabilities.

• Modernizes business practices. Bring organizational services within intelligence agencies up to date, such as financial management and security clearance processing.

• Aligns intelligence community policies. Update policies to ensure consistency with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (Public Law 108-458).

Since 2001, the Administration has:

• Strengthened intelligence agencies’ abilities to fight international terrorism at home and abroad.

• Supported creation of the Office of the DNI to develop the NIP for the President, improve coordination among U.S. intelligence agencies, and implement the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act and Presidential guidance on intelligence matters.

• Established the National Counterterrorism Center as the primary organization in the United States for integrating and analyzing all intelligence pertaining to international terrorism and counterterrorism, and for conducting strategic operational planning by integrating all instruments of national power.

• Expanded U.S. capabilities in every intelligence discipline—from human intelligence to space reconnaissance.