US intelligence is not a child of the Cold War, or even of the 20th century. Whether we like it or not, intelligence has been practiced as a tool of statecraft since people began to organize themselves in communities for mutual protection. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land. Later on, Joshua sent spies to infiltrate Jericho, with results you all know.
Intelligence is also part of America's own beginnings.
It was here in Boston where Paul Revere organized one of America's first intelligence networks in 1775. Reveres midnight ride warning of an English assault on Concord is one of our nation's first examples of effective intelligence collection and warning. But, of course, collection is only the first part of the intelligence mission. Equally important is the process of analysis and dissemination, the element of CIA for which I'm responsible. Its an important distinction.