Managing Intelligence Activities - Essay Example

Managing Intelligence ActivitiesIntroduction Security is a very sensitive issue in every country and therefore invites the conservative approach by security agencies on the modalities of countering its imminent challenges. Most national and federal governments prepare ‘black budgets’ whose content is the reservation of the executive core security agencies. However, the principal-agent problem has engulfed most agencies leading to misappropriation of funds and security lapses. The United States black budget for the financial year 2013 leaked by Edward Snowden; a former intelligence contractor details the faint financial imbalance that could be attributed to dismal security upgrade against the persistent domestic and foreign terrorist threats.

Managing collection and ProgramsAccording to the United States government legislative procedures, the house of Congress oversees the enactment, implementation of security funds under the National Defense Authorization Act. One of the challenges facing budget planning is information agency problem. The Department of Defense withholds the security operations accounted for every dollar allocated. As a result of inconsistent agreement, disparity in fund allocation exists. For instance, The Black Budget revealed that Research and technology accounted for only 1% of the $52.

6 billion budget proposal (Miller & Gellman, 2013). The incite highlights the oblivion of facts by the congress and security agencies on the imminence of security threats such as cyber crimes.Another challenge is the resource constraint and the unpredictable economic stability. A budget is a proposal based on historical concepts and thus provides a thin link with the unforeseen circumstances. For instance, the National Security Intelligence program has had to request for increased budget allocation in order to counter security lapses in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the rising cases of cyber crimes.

In another perspective, integration of all security agencies in the United States is paramount. The National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have been overlapping on their responsibilities; a factor that has resulted in the Latter’s budget exceeding the National Security Agency’s budget for the year 2013 by 50% (Miller & Gellman, 2013). Therefore, synchronization of all relevant parties in budget making will be the joining link to the effectiveness, accountability and efficiency of security agencies In the United States.

Principal ProfileThis paper will be useful to John Kerry; The United States Secretary of State to enhance his supervisory role on the effective performance of security agencies in combating insecurity challenges. His vocal role at the National Security council facilitates the implementation of the security’s budget and enhances interrelation among the security agencies. The revelations of the Black budget will invite his integrity in monitoring effective resource allocation of funds and accountability.

ReferencesMiller, G., & Gellman, B. (2013). Black budget’ summary details U.S. spy network’s successes, failures and objectives. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/black-budget-summary-details-us-spy-networks-successes-failures-and-objectives/2013/08/29/7e57bb78-10ab-11e3-8cdd-bcdc09410972_story.html