Quick — name the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. Let’s hope Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, can. McConnell, who already has power over personnel at the 16 agencies, may soon get the power of the purse through a presidential order. 

The Wall Street Journal’s Siobhan Gorman explains that McConnell’s position got its considerable clout from a law following 9/11 commission recommendations for a stronger interagency process. Most in Washington praised the 9/11 commission. But faithfully implementing their plan for intelligence sharing continues to spark fierce bureaucratic battles between the Pentagon, CIA, FBI and Dept. of Homeland Security.  Read Gorman here.  MB

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