> perhaps we need an intelligence branch whose remit is just to gather info and do analysis on issues of geopolitical and security importance The first part is

> perhaps we need an intelligence branch whose remit is just to gather info and do analysis on issues of geopolitical and security importance The first part is, afaik, part of the intelligence community's mission. It worked to the extent that when GW Bush wasn't getting the answers he wanted on Iraq, he setup his own intelligence office to create the disinformation they wanted. (On the other hand, CIA head George Tenet, perhaps due to pressure, told Bush that Iraq WMD would be a "slam dunk".) Also, afaik, that happens in a separate branch of the CIA than the covert operations. Is that not separate enough?