ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the author's experiences in government, in both policy and intelligence positions, drawing especially on the author's recent tenure as Chair of the United States (US) National Intelligence Council (NIC). It assesses challenges for the future of intelligence, many of which have long been with people but are newly reconfigured: balancing tactical and strategic intelligence; building and adjusting stories in a shapeless world; dealing with transparency and big data; finding new ways to add value; intelligence as an argument for policy; breaking the tired intelligence cycle and dealing with new competitors who are also potential colleagues. An enduring challenge for the Intelligence Community is balancing the urgent need for actionable tactical intelligence with the need for too often-neglected strategic intelligence. A prominent example is the decision to arm Islamic mujahideen resistance during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan.
