- Current Intelligence Resources:Â Categories for existing intelligence agencies and departments. Some agencies, in particular the CIA, fall into multiple categories because of its original intent to fulfill an integrated intelligence function.We should note that, in almost all cases, the agencies described here function in dual capacities, both as sources of information for the overall intelligence system and as implementers of some other policy program. For instance, the military is primarily a force projection and fighting organization and, while its intelligence collection activities contribute to the overall intelligence system, much of its daily work product is specifically designed to support its own internal mission. Similarly with the various federal and local law enforcement agencies, the INS and Coast Guard, and so on. The State Department is primarily responsible for conducting diplomatic business, and much of its intelligence-gathering activities are designed to facilitate cultural and political understanding among its own personnel rather than to enhance the national intelligence analysis. Even the CIA, which is primarily an intelligence agency, also acts as a resource for covert operations of various types; and some of its intelligence gathering infrastructure is designed to provide information in support of those internal needs rather than in support of the overall national intelligence assessment.
- Diplomatic Missions
State Department resources — ambassadors, attaches, etc. — in-place as overt observers and analysts.
- National Reconnaissance Agencies
Includes elements of the CIA, the NRO, and the NSA, and various branches of the military services, which are responsible for different subsets of the foreign reconnaissance mission. Each agency, in addition to its data collection capabilities, has its own organizations for analysis and reporting of collected intelligence.
- National Espionage Agencies
Primarily the CIA, which operates the non-military HUMINT and covert OPS segments of the foreign intelligence mission. In addition to its data collection and operations capabilities, the CIA provides its own organization for analysis and reporting of collected intelligence. Other organizations with undercover operations, particularly law-enforcement agencies, also provide espionage services.
- Military Intelligence Agencies
The DIA and the various service intelligence components, which operate both HUMINT and SIGINT components for gathering tactical military intelligence and some limited strategic military intelligence. Within the services and within the Pentagon there is a limited analytical infrastructure.
- National Security Council
Provides high-level intelligence analysis, policy analysis, and policy recommendations based on information and analyses provided by the various intelligence agencies.
- Special Ops
Both military and civilian, including the CIA, the Green Berets and Rangers, Navy Seals, Marine Recon, Air Force Special Ops, Delta Force, and so on, which provide fast response and in-field force-projection capabilities.
- National Law Enforcement Agencies
The FBI, DEA, ATF, Treasury, Secret Service, and the INS and Coast Guard which provide the primary nationwide law-enforcement capabilities. Each has specific areas of responsibility — counter-terrorism and racketeering, drug enforcement, contraband and firearms, money-laundering, personal protection, and border patrol — although their spheres often overlap significantly.
- Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Independent law-enforcement investigatory and enforcement agencies at the state and local levels across the country. Not directly tied to or accountable to the larger intelligence gathering and analysis system but available as a resource both for low-level intelligence collection and in-field operations support. These agencies also require support (primarily in the form of information) from the national intelligence infrastructure for their own local law-enforcement missions.