CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING PRIORITY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE OBJECTIVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00400R000200090025-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2006
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: August 16, 1955
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Release 2006/08/09 : SEICR -0040OR000200090025-9
V
IAC-D-5O/7
16 August 1955
INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY C O M M I T T E E
Criteria for Determining
Priority National Intelligence Objectives
1. On 16 August the LAC approved the attached statement of criteria
to be used in determining the priority national intelligence objectives
based on the comprehensive objectives set forth in DCID 4/3.
2. These criteria rill therefore be used in arriving at a revision
of the present list of priority objectives as set forth in DCID 4/4, and
in making subsegient semi-annual revisions.
~UCDF ages _2-3
SECRET
Approved For Release 2006/08/09: CIA-RDP82-00400R000200090025-9
 Approved For Release 2006/08/09: CSE T00400R000,22000090025-9
i %W
IAC-D-50/7
16 August 1955
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING
PRIORITY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE OBJECTIVES
1. Priority National Intelligence Objectives should be directly
related to the intelligence required in the formulation and execution
of-national security policy. They should flow directly from the intel-
ligence mission as set forth by the NSC and are therefore merely more
detailed specifications of the intelligence required to fulfill that
mission. They should provide the basis for determining appropriate
research and collection requirements.
2. Most of the intelligence required in the formulation and
execution of national security policy will be the product of normal
intelligence collection and research. Priority National Intelligence
Objectives should be limited to those critical factors which require
special attention and effort.
3. In order to afford a stable basis for intelligence planning,
a statement of Priority National Intelligence Objectives should be
designed to remain valid over an extended period. It should therefore
exclude topics of urgent., but transitory' interest., which will require
and receive ad hoc treatment in any case.
4. Broad generalities are of little practical use as priority
guidance to collection and research. Priority National Intelligence
Objectives should therefore be specific enough to provide guidance for
planning the allocation of collection and research resources, but not
so specific as to constitute in themselves research and collection re-
quirements.
5. Although all items in a statement of Priority National Intel-
ligence Objectives should be worthy of special attention., it is obvious
that some will be of greater urgency or importance than others. Any
listing of such objectives must be based on an analysis of the world
situation and US security interests and should be reviewed semi-annually.
The following criteria will serve as guidance for determining the relative
importance of Priority National Intelligence Objectives.
I. First Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which
will permit the US: (a) to anticipate and counter those
policies or actions of ibreign states which would occasion
gravest consequences to the US; and (b) to stimulate poli-
cies or actions of foreign states (or actions within them)
which could occasion greatest benefit to the US. -
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IAC-D-50/7
16 August 1955
II. Second Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which
will permit the US: (a) to anticipate and counter those
policies or actions of foreign states which would have
serious consequences for the US; and (b) to stimulate
policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within
them) which could occasion great benefit to the US.
III. Third Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which
will permit the US: (a) to anticipate and counter those
policies or actions of foreign states which would have
harmful consequences to the US; and (b) to stimulate
policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within
them) which could occasion substantial ben efits to the
US.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2006/08/09: CIA-R?P82-00400R000200090025-9