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 – are the result of widespread and systemic intelligence 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 and intelligence-reform, the Center currently conducts six major public interest programs. These consist of a Publications Program, which include a regular monthly publication entitled Intelligence Briefs, and from time to time 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 level; a Congressional Liaison Program, which monitors relevant legislative proposals; a Press Liaison Program, as a means to assist journalists in understanding the complexity of intelligence issues; a Speakers Bureau, to provide qualified speakers for public engagements; and an Internship Program, to provide qualified undergraduate students with an opportunity to enhance their studies through a paid internship in Washington, DC.
 

The Center and its activities are governed by a Board of Directors, which presently includes Charles S. Viar, Chairman; General Robert C. Richardson, USAF (Ret.); Joseph D. Douglass, Jr., PhD.; and Lloyd F. Mercer, MD. All Members of the Board of Directors have extensive experience in the field of intelligence.