Fixing Intelligence: For a More Secure America

by William E. Odom

Security depends on intelligence. A leading authority discusses basic problems in American intelligence and how to fix them

William E. Odom is the highest-ranking member of the United States Intelligence community ever to write a book outlining fundamental restructuring of this vast network of agencies, technology, and human agents. In the wake of 9/11, Odom has revised and updated a powerful critique he wrote several years ago for staffs of the U.S. congressional committee overseeing the vast American intelligence bureaucracy. His recommendations for revamping this essential component of American security are now available for general readers as well as for policymakers.

While giving an unmatched overview of the world of U.S. intelligence, Odom persuasively shows that the failure of American intelligence on 9/11 had much to do with the complex bureaucratic relationships existing among the various components of the Intelligence Community. The sustained fragmentation within the Intelligence Community since World War II is part of the story; the blurring of security and intelligence duties is another. Odom describes the various components of American intelligence in order to give readers an understanding of how complex they are and what can be done to make them more effective in providing timely intelligence and more efficient in using their large budgets. He shows definitively that they cannot be remedied with quick fixes but require deep study of the entire bureaucracy and the commitment of the U.S. government to implement the necessary reforms.

Genres: Military Fiction, History

281 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2003

About the author

William E. Odom was a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a professor (adjunct) at Yale University, and the author of The Collapse of the Soviet Military. General Odom’s former positions include director of the National Security Agency and assistant chief of staff for intelligence in the U.S. Army.

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated, but still very interesting. LTG(R) Odom was the director of the NSA, as well as an experienced intelligence officer who studied intelligence reform with a think tank after retirement.

The analysis and recommendations clearly informed the 9/11 commission - but were much bolder and more reasoned than what was ultimately adopted. It's interested that many of his ODNI recommendations were adopted later (budget and policy oversight, separation from the CIA).

A number of still very relevant recommendations on Counter-intelligence, collection management, the NRO, and the management of collection (specifically HUMINT).

[Roy McCullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book for its time. Odom’s recommendations preceded and informed the intelligence reforms undertaken in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including the establishment of a Director of National Intelligence.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odom, former head of the National Security Agency, gives many good points for the reformation of the U.S. intelligence service. However, one flaw I recall is that he recommended the formation of a National Counterintelligence Bureau with agents from the FBI at its nucleus due to their being "the most experienced" - right after chiding the FBI for its failures in the Robert Hannsen spy case.

[Joe Wisniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had Bill Odom for a class at Georgetown. I would be interested in seeing him write a "sequel" to this, as this was written prior to "Homeland Security".

[Jonathon Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as riveting as Top Secret America. This was used more as reference material in a project. It also reads as such.