U.S. Intelligence Community Skews Findings to Please Political Masters
A recent study conducted by the Pentagon-backed RAND Corporation has shed light on the relationship between the U.S. intelligence community and policymakers. Contrary to popular belief, the study reveals that the intelligence community tends to skew its findings to align with the preferences of presidents and high-level policymakers, regardless of party affiliation.
The study, titled “Has Trust in the U.S. Intelligence Community Eroded? Examining the Relationship Between Policymakers and Intelligence Providers,” was sponsored by the Pentagon and drew on interviews with current and former U.S. intelligence officials and policymakers. It highlights how policymakers often introduce bias into intelligence assessments to minimize dissent, while the intelligence community tends to self-censor to please political masters.
From 9/11 to January 6, there have been numerous intelligence failures that have eroded trust in the intelligence community. However, the study suggests that policymakers themselves are often responsible for pressuring the intelligence community to reach certain conclusions that align with their political interests.
Former President Donald Trump and his administration were cited in the study as consistently seeking to influence and bias intelligence findings. Examples included Russian interference in elections, the Muslim travel ban, and the characterization of groups like “antifa.” The pressure from policymakers was described as akin to bullying, creating a culture of fear within the intelligence community.
The study also highlighted instances during the Obama administration where intelligence analysis was influenced by political considerations. Former CIA Director Gina Haspel was noted for declining to push back on equivocations regarding Saudi Arabia’s involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. The report indicates that intelligence agencies often watered down assessments to avoid confrontations with policymakers.
Despite accusations of a “deep state” working against him, Trump’s administration influenced intelligence reports to align with its agenda. The study revealed that analysts often avoided conflict with policymakers to maintain relevance and avoid being labeled part of the “deep state.”
The RAND report concludes that the intelligence community tends to tilt its findings toward the White House and political appointees rather than any specific agency. This dynamic highlights the challenges of maintaining unbiased analysis in a political environment where policymakers seek to shape intelligence findings to fit their preconceived policies.
In summary, the study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between the intelligence community and policymakers. It underscores the need for transparency, independence, and integrity in intelligence analysis to ensure that decisions are based on accurate and unbiased information rather than political considerations.