Key Events in DI History

1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s

Some Key Events in DI History: 1940s

1946 The Office of Reports and Estimates is created under interagency Central Intelligence Group to perform intelligence research, produce current intelligence and write National Intelligence Estimates for policymakers.
President Truman asks for a daily intelligence report. The Daily Summary is first published.

1947 President Truman signs the National Security Act of 1947 creating CIA.

1948
Interagency National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program established to provide basic intelligence information on the USSR and 102 other countries. Each survey addressed military geography, transportation and communication, sociological developments, political issues, economic issues, scientific issues, and military affairs.
The National Security Council (NSC) commissions Allen Dulles--New York lawyer and veteran of the Office of Strategic Services, the Agency's World War II forerunner--to study CIA; his committee examines Agency activities and meets with policymakers on CIA's support.

1949 Resultant Dulles Report criticizes lack of intelligence coordination between CIA, the military services, and the State Department, particularly in the production of National Intelligence Estimates; he recommends that national estimates be an interagency effort. NSC endorses recommendations and orders CIA reorganization to implement them.
Soviets explode first atomic bomb a year ahead of earliest Intelligence Community (IC) projection; CIA comes under criticism.

[Return to top]

Some Key Events in DI History: 1950s

1950 Walter Bedell Smith is confirmed as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). He announces he will implement the Dulles Report. The Office of Research and Reports (ORR) assumes responsibility for basic intelligence, and the Office of National Estimates (ONE), headed by William Langer.

1951 Dr. Max Millikan from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) becomes associate director of ORR and writes blueprint for Agency economic analysis.
Office of Current Intelligence is established to produce the President's daily intelligence publication, now revamped and renamed the Current Intelligence Bulletin.

1952 DCI Smith establishes the Directorate of Intelligence, successor organization to the ORR, to streamline the production of finished intelligence.
Loftus Becker, an attorney who had served as military adviser at the Nuremberg War Trials, becomes the first Deputy Director for Intelligence (DDI).
Sherman Kent succeeds Langer as the head of ONE.
President Truman directs CIA to brief presidential candidates Eisenhower and Stevenson--a practice that continues today.

1953 Robert Amory, a Harvard University law professor, becomes the second DDI.

1954 President Eisenhower asks MIT President James Killian to study US military and intelligence capabilities; Killian forms the Technological Capabilities Panel, which recommends greater use of science and technology to improve collection. The panel's recommendation supports development of high-flight reconnaissance.

1955 To address Intelligence Community concerns about Soviet missile program, DDI Amory appoints a DI Guided Missile Coordinator. Analysts concluded (in 1961) that the Soviets were far behind the United States in intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) deployment, thereby putting to rest the so-called "missile gap" controversy.

1956 First U-2 aerial reconnaissance missions provide new intelligence on hard-to-reach Soviet targets; DI analysts play a key role in developing realistic estimates of the size of the Soviet bomber force.

1957 DI Statistical Register created to support photo interpretation efforts.

1958 Statistical Register renamed the CIA Photographic Interpretation Center, an Intel community entity responsible for tactical and strategic photo intelligence.

[Return to top]

Some Key Events in DI History: 1960s

1960 The DDI creates a small staff to identify intelligence problems that could benefit from automated information processing support. The staff identifies Soviet defense spending estimates as one and work begins on the Strategic Cost Analysis Model.
First reconnaissance satellite, codenamed Corona, launched--revolutionizes collection, greatly increasing information on denied areas, such as the USSR, Communist China, and their allies.

1961 The Department of Defense and CIA/DI merge photo interpretation efforts into the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), headed by Arthur Lundahl.
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is created to support the intelligence needs of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff.
After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, President John F. Kennedy stops reading the Current Intelligence Bulletin. CIA wins him back with a new publication, the President's Intelligence Checklist; specifically tailored to his interests and including the most sensitive intelligence. The Bulletin has continued publication and was subsequently renamed the National Intelligence Daily.

1962 Ray Cline, a career CIA officer, becomes DDI.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a special "Situation Room"--a forerunner of the CIA Operations Center--was set up to cover all of the current information on the crisis.

1963 The CIA Operations Center established; it runs 24 hours a day.
The Office of Central Reference begins production of the monthly series, Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments.

1964 The President's Intelligence Checklist is renamed the President's Daily Brief.

1965 DCI John McCone and Deputy Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance agree that CIA retain primary responsibility for foreign military-economic analysis, which prevents duplication of effort by CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency.

1966 The Office of Research and Reports is renamed the Office of Economic Research, reflecting the final separation of the office from its noneconomic functions.
R. Jack Smith, a career CIA analyst, becomes DDI.

1967 The Office of Strategic Research, designed to pull together various aspects of strategic military intelligence, is created under the direction of Bruce C. Clarke, Jr.
Abbot Smith replaces Sherman Kent as Chairman of the Bureau of National Estimates.

[Return to top]

Some Key Events in DI History: 1970s

1971 Edward Proctor, a career CIA analyst and expert in Soviet military and economic issues, becomes DDI.

1972 Military-Economic Advisory Panel created (members include leading academics and businessmen) to review CIA's analysis of Soviet defense spending.

1973 National Intelligence Officer system initiated under the National Intelligence Council (NIC); it provides experts at the DCI level to advise and coordinate between agencies on key issues and replaces the Board of National Estimates.
National Photographic Interpretation Center transferred from the DI to the Directorate of Science and Technology
The National Intelligence Survey (NIS) basic intelligence program canceled because of Intelligence Community budget constraints.

1976 Sayre Stevens, an expert in scientific and technical intelligence, becomes DDI.
In response to criticism about Intelligence Community analysis on future Soviet military strength, DCI George Bush agrees to the A Team/B Team competitive analysis exercise as part of the preparation of National Intelligence Estimate, "Soviet Forces for Intercontinental Conflict Through the Mid-1980s."
DDI Stevens commissions a private consulting firm to study DI interdisciplinary research and analysis.

1977 DI reorganized into the National Foreign Assessment Center (NFAC). NFAC includes a Center for Policy Support to serve as interface to the policy community; an Office of Regional and Political Analysis to produce current, mid-range, and long-term research; and assumes direction of the Offices of Scientific Intelligence and Weapons Intelligence.
Robert R. Bowie, a distinguished professor at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs, becomes NFAC's first director.
CIA implements a system for online delivery of electronic cable traffic.

1978 Bruce C. Clarke, Jr., whose background is strategic military intelligence, becomes NFAC's second director.

[Return to top]

Some Key Events in DI History: 1980s

1980 Arms Control and Intelligence Staff (ACIS) established as central point in NFAC for intelligence support on arms control issues.
Advanced Analyst Training Program established, allowing full-time academic study as well as travel to support research projects.

1981 John N. McMahon, a CIA veteran with broad experience, becomes the third director of NFAC.
NFAC creates Technology Transfer Assessment Center to perform multidisciplinary analysis and intelligence support on international transfer of technology affecting national security.
NFAC reorganizes; most functional offices are replaced with interdisciplinary regional offices. NFAC is renamed the Directorate of Intelligence.

1982 Robert M. Gates, a career intelligence officer and expert on the Soviet Union, becomes DDI.

1983 Robert Ames, director of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis, is killed in the terrorist bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut.
DI Modernization Task Force established to develop an ADP plan and address manpower and organizational issues.
New information technology tools give analysts a 90-day search capability for cable traffic.

1985 The first DI Local Area Network system operational.

1986 Counterterrorism Center established under the Directorate of Operations to help combat growing international terrorist threat. DI officers serve in its analytic components to provide regional and functional expertise.
Richard J. Kerr, a senior Agency official whose background is military analysis, becomes DDI.

1987 CRAY supercomputer installed in the DI.

1988 Counterintelligence Center (CIC) is established in Directorate of Operations; DI officers serve in CIC to provide analytical support.

1989 DCI Counternarcotics Center (CNC) is established, bringing together officers from across the Agency with the direct participation of most Intelligence Community and counternarcotics law enforcement and policy agencies.
John L. Helgerson, former analyst and director for Congressional affairs, becomes DDI.

[Return to top]

Some Key Events in DI History: 1990s

1990 DI Persian Gulf Task Force established to provide senior policymakers and the military 24-hour intelligence support.

1992 DCI Nonproliferation Center is established to strengthen DI interface to the policy community on the growing issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is fueled by the demise of the Soviet Union.
DCI Interagency Balkan Task Force created in response to growing turmoil in Yugoslavia.

1993 Dr. Lansing H. Bennett, from the Office of Leadership Analysis, and another Agency employee are killed in a terrorist attack at the entrance to CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
Douglas J. MacEachin, former Director of Soviet Analysis, becomes DDI.
Daily Economic Intelligence Bulletin introduced to support to senior economic policy makers.

1994 DDI MacEachin establishes a committee to examine options for reorganizing and downsizing the DI.

1995 First running of Tradecraft 2000, a mandatory course for DI analysts and managers to reinforce and enhance core DI analytical and presentational skills.
John C. Gannon, former director of European Analysis, becomes DDI.

1996 DI's Strategic Plan for the 21st Century is published. It identifies principles and strategies to meet intelligence demands and enhance organizational flexibility.
African Great Lakes Task Force established to provide intelligence support on crises in Zaire, Rwanda, and Burundi.

1997 DI reorganization implemented; new offices have new directors and issue-level managers. Occupational Council established to support professional development of analytic and support cadres.
Director of Central Intelligence Deutch establishes the DCI Environmental Center, housed in the DI, as the focal point in the Intelligence Community for environmental issues.
John E. McLaughlin, former Vice-Chair of the National Intelligence Council, with background in European and Soviet issues, becomes DDI.

Director of Central Intelligence Tenet augments the DCI Nonproliferation Center by shifting analytical units into the Center and establishing a Senior Scientist position, thereby creating the largest concentration of proliferation experts in the Intelligence Community.

1998 After India conducts an unannounced nuclear test, DCI Tenet commissions Admiral David Jeremiah (USN, Retired) to review the Intelligence Community�s performance on India; Jeremiah offers recommendations to enhance the Community's warning capability.
Office of Policy Support is established to enhance quality and delivery of DI services and products, including the new Senior Executives Intelligence Brief, which replaced the 37-year-old National Intelligence Daily.

[Return to top]

Directorate of Intelligence Home Page
DI Mission and Organization | History
Analysis: How the DI Works | Reference Aids

1946	The Office of Reports and Estimates is created under interagency Central Intelligence Group to perform intelligence research, produce current intelligence and write National Intelligence Estimates for policymakers. President Truman asks for a daily intelligence report. The Daily Summary is first published.
1947	President Truman signs the National Security Act of 1947 creating CIA.
1948	Interagency National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program established to provide basic intelligence information on the USSR and 102 other countries. Each survey addressed military geography, transportation and communication, sociological developments, political issues, economic issues, scientific issues, and military affairs. The National Security Council (NSC) commissions Allen Dulles--New York lawyer and veteran of the Office of Strategic Services, the Agency's World War II forerunner--to study CIA; his committee examines Agency activities and meets with policymakers on CIA's support.
1949	Resultant Dulles Report criticizes lack of intelligence coordination between CIA, the military services, and the State Department, particularly in the production of National Intelligence Estimates; he recommends that national estimates be an interagency effort. NSC endorses recommendations and orders CIA reorganization to implement them. Soviets explode first atomic bomb a year ahead of earliest Intelligence Community (IC) projection; CIA comes under criticism.
[Return to top]

1950	Walter Bedell Smith is confirmed as the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). He announces he will implement the Dulles Report. The Office of Research and Reports (ORR) assumes responsibility for basic intelligence, and the Office of National Estimates (ONE), headed by William Langer.
1951	Dr. Max Millikan from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) becomes associate director of ORR and writes blueprint for Agency economic analysis. Office of Current Intelligence is established to produce the President's daily intelligence publication, now revamped and renamed the Current Intelligence Bulletin.
1952	DCI Smith establishes the Directorate of Intelligence, successor organization to the ORR, to streamline the production of finished intelligence. Loftus Becker, an attorney who had served as military adviser at the Nuremberg War Trials, becomes the first Deputy Director for Intelligence (DDI). Sherman Kent succeeds Langer as the head of ONE. President Truman directs CIA to brief presidential candidates Eisenhower and Stevenson--a practice that continues today.
1953	Robert Amory, a Harvard University law professor, becomes the second DDI.
1954	President Eisenhower asks MIT President James Killian to study US military and intelligence capabilities; Killian forms the Technological Capabilities Panel, which recommends greater use of science and technology to improve collection. The panel's recommendation supports development of high-flight reconnaissance.
1955	To address Intelligence Community concerns about Soviet missile program, DDI Amory appoints a DI Guided Missile Coordinator. Analysts concluded (in 1961) that the Soviets were far behind the United States in intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) deployment, thereby putting to rest the so-called "missile gap" controversy.
1956	First U-2 aerial reconnaissance missions provide new intelligence on hard-to-reach Soviet targets; DI analysts play a key role in developing realistic estimates of the size of the Soviet bomber force.
1957	DI Statistical Register created to support photo interpretation efforts.
1958	Statistical Register renamed the CIA Photographic Interpretation Center, an Intel community entity responsible for tactical and strategic photo intelligence.
[Return to top]

1960	The DDI creates a small staff to identify intelligence problems that could benefit from automated information processing support. The staff identifies Soviet defense spending estimates as one and work begins on the Strategic Cost Analysis Model. First reconnaissance satellite, codenamed Corona, launched--revolutionizes collection, greatly increasing information on denied areas, such as the USSR, Communist China, and their allies.
1961	The Department of Defense and CIA/DI merge photo interpretation efforts into the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), headed by Arthur Lundahl. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is created to support the intelligence needs of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. After the Bay of Pigs fiasco, President John F. Kennedy stops reading the Current Intelligence Bulletin. CIA wins him back with a new publication, the President's Intelligence Checklist; specifically tailored to his interests and including the most sensitive intelligence. The Bulletin has continued publication and was subsequently renamed the National Intelligence Daily.
1962	Ray Cline, a career CIA officer, becomes DDI. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a special "Situation Room"--a forerunner of the CIA Operations Center--was set up to cover all of the current information on the crisis.
1963	The CIA Operations Center established; it runs 24 hours a day. The Office of Central Reference begins production of the monthly series, Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments.
1964	The President's Intelligence Checklist is renamed the President's Daily Brief.
1965	DCI John McCone and Deputy Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance agree that CIA retain primary responsibility for foreign military-economic analysis, which prevents duplication of effort by CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency.
1966	The Office of Research and Reports is renamed the Office of Economic Research, reflecting the final separation of the office from its noneconomic functions. R. Jack Smith, a career CIA analyst, becomes DDI.
1967	The Office of Strategic Research, designed to pull together various aspects of strategic military intelligence, is created under the direction of Bruce C. Clarke, Jr. Abbot Smith replaces Sherman Kent as Chairman of the Bureau of National Estimates.
[Return to top]

1971	Edward Proctor, a career CIA analyst and expert in Soviet military and economic issues, becomes DDI.
1972	Military-Economic Advisory Panel created (members include leading academics and businessmen) to review CIA's analysis of Soviet defense spending.
1973	National Intelligence Officer system initiated under the National Intelligence Council (NIC); it provides experts at the DCI level to advise and coordinate between agencies on key issues and replaces the Board of National Estimates. National Photographic Interpretation Center transferred from the DI to the Directorate of Science and Technology The National Intelligence Survey (NIS) basic intelligence program canceled because of Intelligence Community budget constraints.
1976	Sayre Stevens, an expert in scientific and technical intelligence, becomes DDI. In response to criticism about Intelligence Community analysis on future Soviet military strength, DCI George Bush agrees to the A Team/B Team competitive analysis exercise as part of the preparation of National Intelligence Estimate, "Soviet Forces for Intercontinental Conflict Through the Mid-1980s." DDI Stevens commissions a private consulting firm to study DI interdisciplinary research and analysis.
1977	DI reorganized into the National Foreign Assessment Center (NFAC). NFAC includes a Center for Policy Support to serve as interface to the policy community; an Office of Regional and Political Analysis to produce current, mid-range, and long-term research; and assumes direction of the Offices of Scientific Intelligence and Weapons Intelligence. Robert R. Bowie, a distinguished professor at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs, becomes NFAC's first director. CIA implements a system for online delivery of electronic cable traffic.
1978	Bruce C. Clarke, Jr., whose background is strategic military intelligence, becomes NFAC's second director.
[Return to top]

1980	Arms Control and Intelligence Staff (ACIS) established as central point in NFAC for intelligence support on arms control issues. Advanced Analyst Training Program established, allowing full-time academic study as well as travel to support research projects.
1981	John N. McMahon, a CIA veteran with broad experience, becomes the third director of NFAC. NFAC creates Technology Transfer Assessment Center to perform multidisciplinary analysis and intelligence support on international transfer of technology affecting national security. NFAC reorganizes; most functional offices are replaced with interdisciplinary regional offices. NFAC is renamed the Directorate of Intelligence.
1982	Robert M. Gates, a career intelligence officer and expert on the Soviet Union, becomes DDI.
1983	Robert Ames, director of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis, is killed in the terrorist bombing of the US Embassy in Beirut. DI Modernization Task Force established to develop an ADP plan and address manpower and organizational issues. New information technology tools give analysts a 90-day search capability for cable traffic.
1985	The first DI Local Area Network system operational.
1986	Counterterrorism Center established under the Directorate of Operations to help combat growing international terrorist threat. DI officers serve in its analytic components to provide regional and functional expertise. Richard J. Kerr, a senior Agency official whose background is military analysis, becomes DDI.
1987	CRAY supercomputer installed in the DI.
1988	Counterintelligence Center (CIC) is established in Directorate of Operations; DI officers serve in CIC to provide analytical support.
1989	DCI Counternarcotics Center (CNC) is established, bringing together officers from across the Agency with the direct participation of most Intelligence Community and counternarcotics law enforcement and policy agencies. John L. Helgerson, former analyst and director for Congressional affairs, becomes DDI.
[Return to top]

1990	DI Persian Gulf Task Force established to provide senior policymakers and the military 24-hour intelligence support.
1992	DCI Nonproliferation Center is established to strengthen DI interface to the policy community on the growing issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is fueled by the demise of the Soviet Union. DCI Interagency Balkan Task Force created in response to growing turmoil in Yugoslavia.
1993	Dr. Lansing H. Bennett, from the Office of Leadership Analysis, and another Agency employee are killed in a terrorist attack at the entrance to CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Douglas J. MacEachin, former Director of Soviet Analysis, becomes DDI. Daily Economic Intelligence Bulletin introduced to support to senior economic policy makers.
1994	DDI MacEachin establishes a committee to examine options for reorganizing and downsizing the DI.
1995	First running of Tradecraft 2000, a mandatory course for DI analysts and managers to reinforce and enhance core DI analytical and presentational skills. John C. Gannon, former director of European Analysis, becomes DDI.
1996	DI's Strategic Plan for the 21st Century is published. It identifies principles and strategies to meet intelligence demands and enhance organizational flexibility. African Great Lakes Task Force established to provide intelligence support on crises in Zaire, Rwanda, and Burundi.
1997	DI reorganization implemented; new offices have new directors and issue-level managers. Occupational Council established to support professional development of analytic and support cadres. Director of Central Intelligence Deutch establishes the DCI Environmental Center, housed in the DI, as the focal point in the Intelligence Community for environmental issues. John E. McLaughlin, former Vice-Chair of the National Intelligence Council, with background in European and Soviet issues, becomes DDI.
	Director of Central Intelligence Tenet augments the DCI Nonproliferation Center by shifting analytical units into the Center and establishing a Senior Scientist position, thereby creating the largest concentration of proliferation experts in the Intelligence Community.
1998	After India conducts an unannounced nuclear test, DCI Tenet commissions Admiral David Jeremiah (USN, Retired) to review the Intelligence Community�s performance on India; Jeremiah offers recommendations to enhance the Community's warning capability. Office of Policy Support is established to enhance quality and delivery of DI services and products, including the new Senior Executives Intelligence Brief, which replaced the 37-year-old National Intelligence Daily.
[Return to top]