By Sarath Ganji
The Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is the nation’s oldest civilian intelligence agency—one with a legacy of innovation. That legacy began in 1945 when President Harry S. Truman transferred the scholarly Research and Analysis Branch of the Office of Strategic Services to the Department of State. The move injected American diplomacy with a burst of intelligence. Today, that legacy continues with the bureau’s launch of a new digital dissemination platform called Tempo. The platform capitalizes on INR’s intelligence expertise and understanding of the needs of policymakers to put unmatched insights at the fingertips of the Department and the intelligence community.
Tempo is a tool to help navigate a sea of information and keep policymakers connected in an increasingly complex world. From great-power competition with China to pandemic response, the United States requires intelligence analysis that’s timely, independent, and all-source. For the better part of a century, INR has delivered exactly that, in formats suited to the moment. Tempo is simply the latest. The classified platform offers principals and policymakers the bureau’s signature suite of intelligence products using a modern and intuitive interface. Its capabilities include tools to access INR’s analyses faster and to share insights and engage experts easily. Intelligence at the speed of diplomacy, for senior policymakers, is just a few clicks away.
The release of Tempo coinciding with INR celebrating its 75th anniversary is especially exciting. Assistant Secretary Ellen McCarthy kicked off the anniversary celebration campaign in June with a film screening, complemented with an Office Spotlight feature, podcast interview, and recruitment efforts for Foreign Service officers—all with the intention of engaging diplomats, intelligence professionals, and the wider public. In the months ahead, INR looks forward to celebrating with panels, exhibits, and a symposium showcasing the bureau’s storied past and bold vision for the future.
Sarath K. Ganji is a consultant for the Department of State.
