The United States Intelligence Community (IC) is a cooperative federation of 16 separate United States government agencies that work together to conduct intelligence activities considered necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States. Member organizations of the IC include intelligence agencies, military intelligence, and civilian intelligence and analysis offices within Cabinet departments. The IC is led by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Among their varied responsibilities, the members of the Community collect and produce foreign and domestic intelligence, contribute to military planning, and perform espionage. The IC was established by Executive Order 12333, signed on 4 December 1981 by President Ronald Reagan.
