The U.S. intelligence community (IC) has long been regarded as one of the most powerful institutions in global security. Yet, time and again, it has failed in ways that have had catastrophic consequences for American foreign policy and national security. From the collapse of the Soviet Union to the October 7th Hamas attacks, intelligence failures have repeatedly blindsided policymakers, misled the public, and cost lives.

Now, as the nation grapples with deep distrust in its institutions, the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) signals a long-overdue shakeup. Gabbard’s independent thinking and willingness to question mainstream narratives make her uniquely suited to lead the intelligence community toward transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.

A Legacy of Intelligence Failures

The need for reform is clear. Decades of intelligence blunders have led to disastrous outcomes, undermining trust in the agencies responsible for America’s safety.

The Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

The CIA, the NSA, and other intelligence agencies utterly failed to predict the sudden dissolution of the Soviet Union. Despite decades of monitoring, the U.S. was caught off guard when the USSR collapsed under economic strain and political upheaval. This intelligence blind spot proved that even the most heavily resourced agencies could miss monumental geopolitical shifts.

September 11, 2001

Perhaps the most infamous intelligence failure in modern history, 9/11 exposed how fragmented and bureaucratically sluggish the intelligence community had become. Despite clear warnings—including intelligence memos titled “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.”—the various agencies failed to connect the dots in time to prevent the attacks. This failure led to the largest expansion of U.S. intelligence agencies since World War II, but even those reforms didn’t prevent future breakdowns.

Iraq War & Weapons of Mass Destruction (2003)

The intelligence debacle surrounding Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) remains one of the most damaging failures in American history. Faulty reports—later revealed to be based on false or exaggerated claims—convinced the U.S. government to launch an invasion of Iraq. The war cost thousands of American lives, destabilized the Middle East, and irreparably damaged public trust in intelligence agencies.

The October 7th Hamas Attack (2023)

The recent Hamas attack on Israel was another massive intelligence failure, both for Israeli and U.S. agencies. Despite having extensive surveillance and infiltration of Gaza, intelligence officials failed to foresee the coordinated and devastating assault. This shocking lapse calls into question whether intelligence agencies have become too reliant on technology while neglecting on-the-ground human intelligence.

The Russian Collusion Letter (2020)

In the weeks before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, 51 former intelligence officials signed a letter suggesting that Hunter Biden’s laptop had all the hallmarks of “Russian disinformation.” This claim, which later proved to be false, was widely cited in suppressing reporting on the story. The intelligence community’s willingness to interfere in domestic politics raises serious concerns about its objectivity and role in shaping public perception.

Why Tulsi Gabbard Is the Right Leader for Reform

With a record of challenging establishment narratives, Tulsi Gabbard is uniquely positioned to overhaul the intelligence community. Her appointment as Director of National Intelligence signals a break from the status quo, where intelligence agencies have operated with little oversight and too much political bias.

Independent Thinking

Unlike career bureaucrats who often fall in line with the Washington consensus, Gabbard has demonstrated a rare willingness to challenge prevailing narratives. Whether questioning the Iraq War, U.S. involvement in Syria, or the legitimacy of past intelligence assessments, she has shown an ability to think critically rather than simply accept agency talking points.

Open-Minded Approach to Intelligence

One of Gabbard’s greatest strengths is her willingness to explore alternative explanations. This is a crucial trait for an intelligence chief, as it allows for a more comprehensive assessment of threats rather than being locked into one predetermined narrative. In an era where political and intelligence narratives often become intertwined, having a leader who prioritizes truth over expedience is essential.

Restoring Trust and Transparency

Public faith in intelligence agencies has plummeted, and for good reason. Americans have watched these institutions get major events wrong—repeatedly—and sometimes engage in outright deception. Gabbard’s reputation for honesty and transparency makes her an ideal candidate to restore credibility to these agencies by demanding accountability and cutting through bureaucratic inertia.

The Path Forward

If intelligence agencies are to regain the trust of the American people, they must undergo deep structural reform. This includes:

• Ending political weaponization: Intelligence should serve national security, not partisan agendas.
• Improving human intelligence: Overreliance on technology has left gaps in understanding real-world threats.
• Enhancing oversight: Congress and independent bodies must hold agencies accountable.
• Encouraging dissenting viewpoints: Intelligence assessments should welcome alternative analyses rather than shutting them down.

With Tulsi Gabbard at the helm, there’s a real opportunity to rebuild the intelligence community into a force that prioritizes accuracy, transparency, and national security over political maneuvering. After decades of missteps, reform is not just necessary—it’s long overdue.