got geoint?

Without a doubt Walter Pincus, who writes the “Fine Print” column for the Washington Post, has always been a self-professed critic of the role of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). He was one of the many who thought that the creation of the ODNI “added a new layer to an already large and competitively structured bureaucracy.” Well, this has all changed thanks to General Clapper’s keynote address at GEOINT 2011.

Pincus’ latest column appropriately titled “Another look at Clapper’s efforts” showcases how Clapper’s new vision for expanding intelligence integration while also proposing budget reductions and finding new ways for cutting information technology costs reinforces Clapper’s role as a highly effective DNI.

Pincus also lays out why he originally thought the DNI role just create more bureaucracy. From the post-Cold War era of the intelligence community up through the George Tenet period to today, Pincus makes – as many others have – the point that the ODNI was born out of the “CIA misjudgments in 2002 about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction were magnified by the Defense Department and White House to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq,” and that the ODNI has had a “rocky” go at it with four directors in five years.

What is truly exciting is that Clapper’s keynote address at GEOINT 2011 changed this highly respected and seasoned journalist’s point of view about the function of the ODNI. Often all it takes is one well-crafted and delivered speech and perceptions immediately change.

Be sure to check out General Clapper’s full GEOINT 2011 keynote address below.

Tags: Clapper GEOINT 2011 Keynote, Director of National Intelligence, GEOINT, GEOINT 2011, George Tenet, geospatial intelligence, got geoint?, ODNI, USGIF, Walter Pinkus