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Note: This archive of CRS reports is no longer actively maintained.
For new and updated reports, see the public website of the Congressional Research Service.

Congressional Research Service Reports
on Intelligence and Related Topics

Intelligence Policy

• Intelligence Community Spending Trends, updated September 26, 2024
• The Intelligence Community's Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC), CRS In Focus, updated September 3, 2024
• U.S. Intelligence Community (IC): Appointment Dates and Appointment Legal Provisions for Selected IC Leadership, CRS In Focus, updated July 24, 2024
• Department of Energy's Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (OICI), CRS In Focus, June 7, 2024
• U.S. Intelligence Community Establishment Provisions, CRS In Focus, updated June 5, 2024
• Restrictions on the Use of Journalists for Intelligence Purposes, CRS Insight, May 30, 2024
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): An Overview, updated April 11, 2024
• Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protections, updated March 29, 2024
• Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and FIU Operational Independence, CRS In Focus, September 8, 2023
• Covert Action and Clandestine Activities of the Intelligence Community: Selected Notification Requirements, updated July 10, 2023
• Statutory Restrictions on the Use of Journalists for Intelligence Purposes, CRS Insight, May 1, 2023
• The Director of National Intelligence (DNI), CRS In Focus, updated April 7, 2023
• Reauthorization of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, March 17, 2023
• Covert Action and Clandestine Activities of the Intelligence Community: Selected Definitions, updated November 29, 2022
• FY2023 Intelligence Authorization Act: Whistleblower Provisions, CRS Insight, October 7, 2022
• Intelligence Coordination on Domestic Terrorism and Violent Extremism: Background and Issues for Congress, September 1, 2022
• FBI v. Fazaga: Supreme Court Unanimously Holds That FISA Does Not Displace the State Secrets Privilege, CRS Legal Sidebar, September 1, 2022
• Controlled Access Programs of the Intelligence Community, CRS In Focus, updated April 20, 2022
• FBI v. Fazaga: Supreme Court Examines Interplay of State Secrets Privilege and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, CRS Legal Sidebar
• Russian Military Intelligence: Background and Issues for Congress, updated November 16, 2021
• The USA PATRIOT Act at 20: Sneak and Peek Searches, CRS Legal Sidebar, October 27, 2021
• Intelligence Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Evaluation Process (IPPBE), CRS In Focus, updated July 9, 2021
• Intelligence Community Presidentially Appointed Senate Confirmed Officials (PAS) During the Administrations of Presidents George W. Bush, Barack H. Obama, and Donald J. Trump: In Brief, May 24, 2021
• Origins and Impact of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Provisions That Expired on March 15, 2020, updated March 31, 2021
• Intelligence Community Diversity and Equal Opportunity, December 7, 2020
• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Design for Great Power Competition, June 4, 2020
• Intelligence Community Support to Pandemic Preparedness and Response, CRS In Focus, May 6, 2020
• Covert Action and Clandestine Activities of the Intelligence Community: Framework for Congressional Oversight In Brief, updated August 9, 2019
• United States Foreign Intelligence Relationships: Background, Policy and Legal Authorities, Risks, Benefits, May 15, 2019
• The U.S. Intelligence Community: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress, CRS Insight, updated February 1, 2019
• Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protections In Brief, December 13, 2018
• Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Background and Selected Options for Further Reform, December 4, 2018
• The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC): An Overview, CRS In Focus, October 18, 2018
• National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), CRS In Focus, July 11, 2018
• CIA Ethics Education: Background and Perspectives, CRS In Focus, June 11, 2018
• HPSCI Memorandum Sparks Debate over FISA Application Requirements, CRS Legal Sidebar, February 14, 2018
• Criminal Prohibitions on Disclosing the Identities of Covert Intelligence Assets, CRS Legal Sidebar, February 6, 2018
• Congress Considers Reform to Queries of FISA Information as Reauthorization Deadline Approaches, CRS Legal Sidebar, January 8, 2018
• Summary of the Substantive Provisions of S. 2010, the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, and H.R. 3989, the USA Liberty Act of 2017, CRS memorandum, November 16, 2017
• Intelligence Community Programs, Management, and Enduring Issues, November 8, 2016
• Surveillance of Foreigners Outside the United States Under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), April 13, 2016
• The U.S. Intelligence Community: Selected Cross-Cutting Issues, April 12, 2016
• Intelligence Authorization Legislation for FY2014 and FY2015: Provisions, Status, Intelligence Community Framework, January 12, 2016
• Perspectives on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, January 8, 2016
• Paris Attacks and "Going Dark": Intelligence-Related Issues to Consider, CRS Insight, November 19, 2015
• Senate Passes Cybersecurity Information Sharing Bill -- What's Next?, CRS Legal Sidebar, October 28, 2015
• What Does the Latest Court Ruling on NSA Telephone Metadata Program Mean?, CRS Legal Sidebar, September 3, 2015
• The Intelligence Community and Its Use of Contractors: Congressional Oversight Issues, August 18, 2015
• National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: A Glimpse at the Legal Background, July 31, 2015
• National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: Legal Background, July 30
• Intelligence Authorization Legislation for FY2016: Selected Provisions, CRS Insights, June 15, 2015
• USA FREEDOM Act Reinstates Expired USA PATRIOT Act Provisions but Limits Bulk Collection, CRS Legal Sidebar, June 4, 2015
• Overview of Constitutional Challenges to NSA Collection Activities , May 21, 2015
• Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization in Brief, May 19, 2015
• Sunset of Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, memorandum for the House Judiciary Committee, May 19, 2015
• The Potential Impact of the Second Circuit's Ruling Against Bulk Collection on USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization, CRS Legal Sidebar, May 8, 2015
• Cybersecurity and Information Sharing: Legal Challenges and Solutions, March 16, 2015
• National Security Letters: Proposals in the 113th Congress, January 22, 2015
• The SSCI Study of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program: Issues to Consider, CRS Insights, December 16, 2014
• Selected CRS Materials on Detention and Interrogation of Terrorist Suspects and Enemy Belligerents, CRS Legal Sidebar, December 16, 2014
• Intelligence Whistleblower Protections: In Brief, October 23, 2014
• Reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts: Procedural and Operational Changes, August 26, 2014
• Reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC): Selection of Judges, May 5, 2014
• Reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts: A Brief Overview, March 31, 2014
• Reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts: Introducing a Public Advocate, March 21, 2014
• Who's Overseeing Whom? The CIA, SSCI, and the Speech or Debate Clause, CRS Legal Sidebar, March 13, 2014
• Reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts: Disclosure of FISA Opinions, February 24, 2014
• Intelligence Spending and Appropriations: Issues for Congress, September 18, 2013
• NSA Surveillance Leaks: Background and Issues for Congress, September 4, 2013
• Foreign Surveillance and the Future of Standing to Sue Post-Clapper, July 10, 2013
• Intelligence Issues for Congress, April 23, 2013
• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Acquisition: Issues for Congress, April 16, 2013
• "Gang of Four" Congressional Intelligence Notifications, April 16, 2013
• Intelligence Identities Protection Act, April 10, 2013
• Sensitive Covert Action Notifications: Oversight Options for Congress, April 10, 2013
• Covert Action: Legislative Background and Possible Policy Questions, April 10, 2013
• Reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act, April 8, 2013
• Intelligence Authorization Legislation: Status and Challenges, March 25, 2013
• Privacy: An Abbreviated Outline of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping, October 9, 2012
• Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping, October 9, 2012
• Congressional Oversight of Intelligence: Current Structure and Alternatives, May 14, 2012
• Terrorism Information Sharing and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress, December 28, 2011
• The National Intelligence Council: Issues and Options for Congress, December 27, 2011
• The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) -- Responsibilities and Potential Congressional Concerns, December 19, 2011
• Director of National Intelligence Statutory Authorities: Status and Proposals, December 16, 2011
• Governmental Tracking of Cell Phones and Vehicles: The Confluence of Privacy, Technology, and Law, December 1, 2011
• National Security Letters: Proposals in the 112th Congress, June 30, 2011
• Government Collection of Private Information: Background and Issues Related to the USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization, June 16, 2011
• Intelligence Information: Need-to-Know vs. Need-to-Share, June 6, 2011
• Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues, January 13, 2011
• Intelligence Estimates: How Useful to Congress?, January 6, 2011
• National Security Letters: Proposed Amendments in the 111th Congress, December 27, 2010
• Securing America's Borders: The Role of the Intelligence Community, December 7, 2010
• Legal Standard for Disclosure of Cell-Site Information (CSI) and Geolocation, memorandum for Sen. Wyden, June 29, 2010
• Intelligence Reform After Five Years: The Role of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), June 22, 2010
• The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Enterprise: Operational Overview and Oversight Challenges for Congress, March 19, 2010
• Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence Information, January 28, 2010
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives, September 25, 2009
• Interrogation of Detainees: Requirements of the Detainee Treatment Act, updated August 26, 2009
• Polygraph Use by the Department of Energy: Issues for Congress, updated February 9, 2009
• U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques, updated January 26, 2009
• The War Crimes Act: Current Issues, updated January 22, 2009
• The U.N. Convention Against Torture: Overview of U.S. Implementation Policy Concerning the Removal of Aliens, updated January 21, 2009
• Homeland Security Intelligence: Perceptions, Statutory Definitions, and Approaches, updated January 14, 2009
• Retroactive Immunity Provided by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, July 25, 2008
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: A Sketch of Selected Issues, July 7, 2008
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: A Brief Overview of Selected Issues, updated July 7, 2008
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773 and the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3773, June 12, 2008
• P.L. 110-55, the Protect America Act of 2007: Modifications to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, updated February 14, 2008
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of House-Passed H.R. 3773, S. 2248 as Reported By the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and S. 2248 as Reported Out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, updated February 8, 2008
• Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress, updated January 18, 2008
• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Issues for Congress, December 5, 2007
• A Summary of Fusion Centers: Core Issues and Options for Congress, September 19, 2007
• Government Access to Phone Calling Activity and Related Records: Legal Authorities, updated August 20, 2007
• Intelligence and Information-Sharing Elements of S. 4 and H.R. 1, June 26, 2007
• Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, updated June 8, 2007
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: An Overview of the Statutory Framework and U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review Decisions, updated February 15, 2007
• Intelligence Spending: Public Disclosure Issues, updated February 15, 2007
• Sharing Law Enforcement and Intelligence Information: The Congressional Role, February 13, 2007
• The U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review: An Overview, January 24, 2007
• Undisclosed U.S. Detention Sites Overseas: Background and Legal Issues, updated January 23, 2007
• Treatment of "Battlefield Detainees" in the War on Terrorism, updated January 23, 2007
• National Security Surveillance Act of 2006: S. 3886, Title II (S. 2453 as Reported Out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, updated January 18, 2007
• Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act, as Passed by the House of Representatives, updated January 18, 2007
• Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: "Lone Wolf" Amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, updated December 19, 2006
• Special Operations Forces (SOF) and CIA Paramilitary Operations: Issues for Congress, updated December 6, 2006
• Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006: S. 3931 and Title II of S. 3929, the Terrorist Tracking, Identification, and Prosecution Act of 2006, September 25, 2006
• Anti-Terrorism Authority Under the Laws of the United Kingdom and the United States, September 7, 2006
• Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction: Establishment and Composition, updated August 23, 2006
• Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, 1994-2006, July 19, 2006
• Intelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives, updated July 19, 2006
• Renditions: Constraints Imposed by Laws on Torture, updated April 5, 2006
• Administrative Subpoenas in Criminal Investigations: A Brief Legal Analysis, March 17, 2006
• Administrative Subpoenas in Criminal Investigations: A Sketch, March 17, 2006
• Probable Cause, Reasonable Suspicion, and Reasonableness Standards in the Context of the Fourth Amendment and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, January 30, 2006
• Statutory Procedures Under Which Congress Is To Be Informed of U.S. Intelligence Activities, Including Covert Actions, January 18, 2006
• Presidential Authority to Conduct Warrantless Electronic Surveillance to Gather Foreign Intelligence Information, January 5, 2006
• Congress as a Consumer of Intelligence Information, December 14, 2005
• U.S. Intelligence and Policymaking: The Iraq Experience, updated December 2, 2005
• Intelligence Reform Implementation at the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Issues and Options for Congress, August 16, 2005
• Security and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act)(H.R. 1526) and Security and Freedom Enhancement Act (SAFE Act)(S. 737): Section By Section Analysis, May 9, 2005
• The SAFE Acts of 2005: H.R. 1526 and S. 737 -- A Sketch, May 9, 2005
• House Select Committee on Intelligence: Leadership and Assignment Limitations, April 25, 2005
• Director of National Intelligence: Statutory Authorities, April 11, 2005
• The National Counterterrorism Center: Implementation Challenges and Issues for Congress, updated March 24, 2005
• Counterintelligence Reform at the Department of Energy: Policy Issues and Organizational Alternatives, updated March 8, 2005
• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Programs: Issues for Congress, updated February 22, 2005
• The Director of National Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis, updated February 11, 2005
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Selected Legislation from the 108th Congress, updated January 11, 2005
• Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: National Standards for Drivers' Licenses, Social Security Cards, and Birth Certificates, January 6, 2005
• Intelligence Community Reorganization: Potential Effects on DOD Intelligence Agencies, updated December 21, 2004
• Consolidating Intelligence Appropriation and Authorization in a Single Committee: 9/11 Commission Recommendation and Alternatives, October 29, 2004
• H.R. 10 (9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act) and S. 2845 (National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004): A Comparative Analysis, updated October 21, 2004
• S.Res. 445: Senate Committee Reorganization for Homeland Security and Intelligence Matters, October 15, 2004
• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: Term Limits and Assignment Limitations, updated October 14, 2004
• 9/11 Commission Recommendations: Intelligence Budget, September 27, 2004
• Proposals for Intelligence Reorganization, 1949-2004, updated September 24, 2004
• The U.S. Intelligence Budget: A Basic Overview, September 24, 2004
• Lawfulness of Interrogation Techniques under the Geneva Conventions, September 8, 2004
• Requirements for Linguists in Government Agencies, September 2, 2004
• 9/11 Commission Recommendations: Joint Committee on Atomic Energy -- A Model for Congressional Oversight?, August 20, 2004
• Side-by-Side Comparison of Intelligence Community Reforms Proposed by 9/11 Commission, the Bush Administration, Senators Feinstein, Graham and Daschle, and Representatives Harman and Goss; and Current Statute, August 11, 2004 (@ State Dept FPC site)
• The Position of Director of National Intelligence: Issues for Congress, udpated August 12, 2004
• FBI Intelligence Reform Since September 11, 2001: Issues and Options for Congress, updated August 4, 2004
• U.S. Treatment of Prisoners in Iraq: Selected Legal Issues, May 24, 2004
• Analysis of S. 1709: the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003 (SAFE Act), February 19, 2004
• The FBI: Past, Present, and Future, October 2, 2003
• Domestic Intelligence in the United Kingdom: Applicability of the MI-5 Model to the United States, May 19, 2003
• Assassination Ban and E.O. 12333: A Brief Summary, updated January 4, 2002
• Proposed Change to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) under S. 113, May 19, 2003
• The Intelligence Community and 9/11: Congressional Hearings and the Status of the Investigation, updated January 16, 2003
• Privacy: Total Information Awareness Programs and Related Information Access, Collection, and Protection Laws, updated March 21, 2003
• Imagery Intelligence: Issues for Congress, April 12, 2002
• The National Security Agency: Issues for Congress, January 16, 2001
• Intelligence and Law Enforcement: Countering Transnational Threats to the U.S., December 3, 2001
• Jonathan Pollard: Background and Considerations for Presidential Clemency, updated January 31, 2001
• Cyberwarfare, June 19, 2001 (PDF)
• Countries of the World and International Organizations: Sources of Information, updated May 2, 2001
• U.S. Army School of the Americas: Background and Congressional Concerns, April 16, 2001
• Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR): The U-2 Aircraft and Global Hawk UAV Programs, December 1, 2000
• Intelligence Technology in the Post-Cold War Era: The Role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), July 26, 1993
• Inspector General in the CIA Compared to Other Statutory Inspectors General, December 21, 1989
• Legislative History of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, August 16, 1978
• To Create a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: A Legislative History of Senate Resolution 400, August 12, 1976

USA PATRIOT Act

• USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005: A Legal Analysis, updated December 21, 2006
• USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006 (S. 2271), February 21, 2006
• USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Legal Analysis of the Conference Bill, January 17, 2006
• USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Side-by-Side Comparison of Existing Law, H.R. 3199 (Conference), and H.R. 3199 (Senate Passed), December 28, 2005
• USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199): A Brief Look, December 9, 2005
• USA PATRIOT Act: Background and Comparison of House- and Senate-approved Reauthorization and Related Legislative Action, August 9, 2005
• USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Proposals and Related Matters in Brief, updated July 15, 2005
• Libraries and the USA PATRIOT Act, updated July 6, 2005
• USA Patriot Act Sunset: Provisions That Expire on December 31, 2005, updated June 29, 2005
• USA PATRIOT Act Sunset: A Sketch, updated June 29, 2005
• Analysis of S. 1709: the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003 (SAFE Act), to amend the Patriot Act, February 19, 2004
• The USA PATRIOT Act: A Sketch, April 18, 2002
• The USA PATRIOT Act: A Legal Analysis, April 15, 2002
• Legislative History of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, August 16, 1978

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