The
Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is
the State Department's primary source for
interpretive analysis of
global developments.
INR was
established in
1946 to
provide the
Secretary of State with
objective assessments, free of
policy prescription or
preferences. INR's
mandate is to tell
policymakers what they
need to know, not what they
want to hear.
INR is also the focal point within the State Department for all policy issues and activities involving the Intelligence Community. The INR Assistant Secretary reports directly to the Secretary of State and serves as the Secretary's principal advisor for all intelligence matters.
The INR draws on all-source intelligence, diplomatic reporting, and interaction with US and foreign scholars. The INR focuses on issues bearing on US national security, economic well-being, promotion of democracy. The INR also looks into global issues such as the environment, human rights, terrorism, weapons and military technology proliferation, and peacekeeping international organizations and agreements, and conflict zones.
The INR serves as a proxy organization for the State Department for the Central Intelligence Community to coordinate with the other elements of that organization.
Finally, INR develops intelligence policy for the Department of State, ensuring that intelligence activities abroad are in harmony with US policy and that collection resources are in accord with US diplomatic interests.