DNI Issues Directives on Analytical Standards, DOCEX
Director of National Intelligence J.M. McConnell has issued new Intelligence Community Directives on standards for intelligence analysis and on document exploitation.
“Analysts and managers should provide objective assessments informed by available information that are not distorted or altered with the intent of supporting or advocating a particular policy, political viewpoint, or audience,” the DNI instructed. See “Analytical Standards” (pdf), Intelligence Community Directive 203, June 21, 2007.
Meanwhile, a new interagency DNI Center called the National Media Exploitation Center “will serve to advance the IC’s collective DOMEX [document and media exploitation] capabilities on behalf of the DNI.” See “Document and Media Exploitation” (pdf), ICD 302, July 6, 2007.
Also new is “National Intelligence Board” (pdf), ICD 202, July 16, 2007.
Datasets and variables that do not align with Administration priorities, or might reflect poorly on Administration policy impacts, seem to be especially in the cross-hairs.
One month of a government shutdown is in the books, but how many more months will (or can) it go? Congress is paralyzed, but there are a few spasms of activity around healthcare and the prospects of a continuing resolution to punt this fight out until January or later.
At a period where the federal government is undergoing significant changes in how it hires, buys, collects and organizes data, and delivers, deeper exploration of trust in these facets as worthwhile.
Moving postsecondary education data collection to the states is the best way to ensure that the U.S. Department of Education can meet its legislative mandates in an era of constrained federal resources.