DCID NO. 1/2. _ Weve Series) . CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING _ PRIORITY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ‘OBJECTIVES _ -* at cee be roe i. Priority National Intelligence Objectives should be directly related _ to the intelligence required in the formulation and ezecufion of no- . tional security policy. They should flow directly from the intelligence mission as set forth by the NSC and are therefore merely more detailed specifications of the intelligence required to fulfill that mission. They should provide the basis for determining appropriate xe research. and col- 7 lection requirements. SLs eaten 2. Most of the intelligence required. in the formulation end exeention: of national security policy will be the product of normal intelligence collection end reseazch. Priority National Intelligence Objectives shoula "be limited to those critical iactors which require special attention and effort. - ment of Priority ational Intelligence Objectives should be ‘designed to remain velid over an extended period. It should therefore exclude topics of urgent, but transitory, interest, which: wil require and. receive a ad hoc treatment in any case. 4, Broad generalities are of little practical use 2s priority guidance to collection and research. Priority National Intelligence Objectives should therefore be specific enough to provide guidance for planning ~ : the allocation of collection and research resources, but not so specific as to constitute in themselves research and collection requirements. _5. In determining Priority National Intelligence Objectives, due con- sideration should be given to beneficial as well as harmful potentialities, | Lote 6. All items in a statement of Priority National Intelligence Objectives -:-° - = 7 should be worthy of special attention and effort,.but obviously some will be of greater urgency or importance than others. The present 2 - statement is divided into four broad categories of priority distinguished, in the text, in terms of both their criticality and the appropriate level . _ of intelligence effort above that which is normal for general coverage, The following criteria will serve as guidance for determining the relative importance of Priority National Intelligence Objectives: L. First Category: those which will permit the US (2) to anticipate , and counter those policies or actions of foreign states whick would - _ occasicn gravest consequences to the US; or (b) to stimulaie policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within, » hem) = which could occasion greatest benefit to the US. 3. In order to afford-a stable basis for intelligence planning, a states
QO. Second Category: those which will permit the US (2) to anticipate . and counter those policies or actions of foreign states which would have very grave consequences for the US; or (hb) to stizu- late policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within them) which could occasion very great benefit to the US. II. Third Category: those which will permit the US (a) to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of foreign states which woud have serious consequences for the US; or (b) to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within them) which could eccasion great benefit to the US. IV. Fourth Category: those which will permit the US (2) wo anticipate and counter these policies or actions of foreign states which would have harmful consequences for the US; or (b) to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states (or actions within thera) which could occasion substantial benefits to the US. 10