Changes

The '''Director of National Intelligence''' ('''DNI''') heads the '''Office of the Director of National Intelligence''' ('''ODNI''') and oversees intelligence gathering and analysis from the 16 intelligence and counter-intelligence agencies spread through the federal [[Executive Branch]]. The 16 agencies are informally referred to as the Intelligence  Community (IC). As such, the DNI holds cabinet rank and is the IC's spokesperson and direct link with the [[White House]] and the President.

The '''Director of National Intelligence''' ('''DNI''') heads the '''Office of the Director of National Intelligence''' ('''ODNI''') and oversees intelligence gathering and analysis from the 16 intelligence and counter-intelligence agencies spread through the federal [[Executive Branch]]. The 16 agencies are informally referred to as the Intelligence  Community (IC). As such, the DNI holds cabinet rank and is the IC's spokesperson and direct link with the [[White House]] and the President.

The position was created amidst a host of reforms and reshuffling among federal departments and agencies, including the creation of the [[Department of Homeland Security]], after the [[9/11 attacks]]. Previously in the theory, the DCI, or Director of Central Intelligence who also heads the [[CIA]], served as the link between the IC and the President. The DCI was downgraded to that of merely an agency head, no longer with direct access to the President, and must report through the DNI.

The position was created amidst a host of reforms and reshuffling among federal departments and agencies, including the creation of the [[Department of Homeland Security]], after the [[9/11 attacks]]. Previously in theory, the DCI, or Director of Central Intelligence who also heads the [[CIA]], served as the link between the IC and the President. The DCI was downgraded to that of merely an agency head, no longer with direct access to the President, and must report through the DNI.

The competition, and often confusion, between the various members of the IC exists on two levels. First the traditional and institutional difference between proactive covert intelligence operations, and reactive defensive counter-intelligence operations. Both are independently specialized fields and most often are unaware of each other's activities. A central clearinghouse is needed to coordinate the two fields' activities, exchange information, and avoid redundancy or conflict.  

The competition, and often confusion, between the various members of the IC exists on two levels. First the traditional and institutional difference between proactive covert intelligence operations, and reactive defensive counter-intelligence operations. Both are independently specialized fields and most often are unaware of each other's activities. A central clearinghouse is needed to coordinate the two fields' activities, exchange information, and avoid redundancy or conflict.