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Past Event
Seminar

Intelligence Project Series: Truth to Power - The Delicate Dance Between Intelligence Providers and Policy Consumers

RSVP Required Open to the Public

With, Beth Sanner, Former Deputy DNI for Mission Integration, PDB Briefer for President Trump. Moderated by Paul Kolbe, Belfer Center Intelligence Project Director

The role of intelligence is to provide leaders and policymakers with facts and context which enable better decisions and the formulation of more effective policies. However, this is not a one-way flow of secrets and insight from intelligence producers to intelligence consumers where assessments are just delivered into an inbox for leisurely perusal. Critical intelligence needs often go hand in hand with crisis, pressure, and unrelenting decision deadlines. The Intelligence Community (IC) gets drawn into the thick of the fray, and often finds itself delivering unwelcome news of a policy failure, unintended consequence, or horrific event. The IC may also be placed in the awkward position of grading its own Covert Action homework. It is crucial for intelligence agencies to engender trust, confidence, and understanding in the customers it serves. The complex relationship between intelligence producers and policy consumers is perfectly embodied in the delivery of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), and the role of the PDB Briefer.

In this session, Ms. Sanner will explore core issues on the nexus between intelligence and policy. How do agencies deliver bad news?  What is intelligence politicization and how do agencies prevent it?  How can intelligence both be used and acted upon, while still protecting fragile sources and methods? Should intelligence engage more transparently with the public, or is too much already revealed by a relentless press?

For limited in-person attendance, (first 50 students to sign up) please register here:  https://forms.gle/URhvgV3vb8Uw5s9u9 if selected you will received a confirmation email. 

To join via Zoom, please register below.

Date: Time: - Location: Taubman Building - Allison Dining Room, 5th Floor
Beth Sanner Former Deputy DNI for Mission Integration

Biography

 

Ms. Beth Sanner was the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration from April 2019 to March 2021 where she oversaw the elements that coordinate and lead collection, analysis, and program oversight throughout the Intelligence Community. In this role she also served as the President’s intelligence briefer. Previously she served as the Director of the President’s Daily Brief from April 2017 to April 2019 and as Vice Chair of the National Intelligence Council July 2015 to April 2017.

For 35 years, Ms. Sanner has served in a wide range of leadership, staff, policy, and analytic positions in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Department of State. Prior to joining ODNI, Ms. Sanner held several senior leadership positions in CIA’s Directorate of Analysis, including leading the analytic effort on South Asia and serving as the deputy for analysis for Russian and European affairs. She also held analytic leadership roles for the Balkans, Central Europe, and Southeast Asia. Ms. Sanner was the Director of the Career Analyst Program, the training program for all new CIA analysts.

Ms. Sanner is a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College, earning a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. She has a B.A. in Economics and International Affairs from The American University.