Center for Intelligence Studies

THE CENTER FOR
INTELLIGENCE STUDIES
1016 K STREET NE, WASHINGTON DC 20002 202 / 397-1296 CFISCenter@aol.com

HISTORY AND MISSION

The Center for Intelligence Studies was formally chartered on March 1, 1988 as a non-partisan

public

policy institution dedicated to

the

research

and dissemination of substantive information

regarding

the threat posed by foreign intelligence services to the United

States,

and the proper

role, scope,

and function of America's national intelligence services in protecting the national

security.

The Center strongly supports the constitutional rights of American citizens, and for that reason is

attentive to the inherent conflict

that

exists

between secret intelligence and the democratic

process.

For that reason we are deeply concerned that the demands of

national

security in the

post 9-11

world may overturn the delicate balance that necessarily exists between the rights of

individuals

citizens and

the

requirements of

national defense.

We are also deeply concerned by the continuing failure of the U. S. Intelligence Community to

safeguard the nation and the national

interest. We

believe that the terrorist attacks of 9-11 and

other

subsequent intelligence failures - notably, the inaccurate and

incomplete

intelligence

estimates of

Iraqi military capabilities that preceded the 2003 invasion - resulted from systemic

failure. For

that reason, we have supported and shall continue to support efforts to effect system-

wide reform.

Although we welcome the recent re-organization of the U. S. Intelligence Community as an

important

step, we do not believe that the

reforms to

date are sufficient. For that reason, we

have

urged the

Congress to complete the process by undertaking two additional

steps.

The first

is to

replace the

Federal Bureau of Investigation with a dedicated security service capable of

meeting

the challenge

posed by

both traditional and

non-traditional threats. The second is to

reconstitute

a credible

national counterintelligence capability.

Unless and

until these two steps

are

taken, we

believe that the

United States will remain vulnerable and exposed to catastrophic

attack.

To assist the general public in understanding the complex issues of intelligence, the Center

currently

conducts six major public

interest

programs. These consist of a Publications Program,

which includes

our quarterly Intelligence Briefs, Special Reports and

Occasional

Papers; a

Public

Education

Program, which includes the preparation of both general and specialized

educational

materials for

use at

the

high school and

collegiate levels; a Congressional Liaison

Program,

which monitors

relevant legislative

initiatives; a Press

Relations

Program, as a

means of

assisting journalists in

understanding the complexity of intelligence issues; a

Speakers Program,

provide

expert speakers

for civic groups

and organizations; and an

Internship Program to

provide qualified

undergraduate

and graduate

students

with an

opportunity to enhance their

studies through paid internships with the

Center.

The Center and its activities are governed by a Board of Directors

. Following the resignation of

Dr. Joseph D. Douglass, Jr., for reasons of health, and the passing of B/Gen. Robert C.

Richardson, III, USAF (Ret.), the Board currently consists of

Charles

S. Viar, Chairman

Lloyd F. Mercer, MD.

, and J. R. Wynne.

A search committee is presently engaged in vetting

candidates for the

remaining

Board position.

The Center for Intelligence Studies and its diverse activities are dedicated to the memory of

James J.

Angleton, my friend, mentor,

and

guide.

Charles S. Viar

Chairman