China's primary intelligence priority is no longer to steal military or nuclear secrets, as in Larry's day, but is now politico-economic espionage.

The highest policy levels of government set, in the broadest sense, intelligence priorities and policies.

In principle, within the cycle, "intelligence agencies are faced with the task of determining intelligence priorities, a process known as threat assessment.

Additionally, the JICC provides each of its members the opportunity to shape intelligence priorities.

"And this was my No. 1 intelligence priority," he said.

The order faults senior policy makers for having traditionally "neglected their critical role in setting intelligence priorities and requirements."

Senior C.I.A. officers pointed to, for example, a variety of regional and global issues as intelligence priorities that required resource allocations.

Must intelligence priorities continue to take a back seat to democratic ideals?

But a generally accepted list of current intelligence priorities is a reminder of just how closed the world remains.

The extensive review, conducted by 14 task forces, envisioned a reshaping of the nation's intelligence priorities through the year 2005.