US Defense Agency Improves Analytic Standards After Cooked Intel Probe

The US Defense Intelligence Agency has implemented measures to improve analytic standards in the Pentagon after a probe spurred by Central Command analysts’ complaint, Department of Defense spokesman Eric Pahon told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — In August, a House of Representatives task force established that some officials from the Central Command (CENTCOM) had altered intelligence about the Islamic State jihadist group to present US efforts in a more positive way.

"The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has taken important steps to improve analytic tradecraft standards across all Department of Defense all-source analytic entities, including the Combatant Commands," Pahon said.

The spokesman added that the DIA is working on an "analytic product evaluation framework" to make sure all agencies are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their analyses and can make improvements.

"Additionally, DIA is establishing a robust analytic ombudsman network to create a DOD [Department of Defense]-wide corps of senior intelligence analysts who will be trained and equipped to monitor and react to any real or perceived instance of efforts to unduly influence analysis," Pahon noted.

The Office of Inspector General has also started an investigation into the cooked intelligence report, and Pahon said the Defense Department is taking it very seriously.

"Whatever the outcome of the investigation, there should be no doubt that thousands of intelligence professionals across the globe continue to provide insight and analysis without any influence of policy or politics," Pahon concluded.

The Islamic State terror group, also known as Daesh in Arabic, is prohibited in Russia and numerous countries around the world.