How many members are part of the US Intelligence Community (IC)?

The correct answer is 17, which reflects the current structure of the US Intelligence Community (IC). The IC is composed of various agencies and organizations that work together to gather and analyze intelligence to support national security objectives.

These 17 entities include well-known organizations such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and several military intelligence branches, along with other less commonly known agencies like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

This number is significant as it illustrates the wide-ranging efforts and diverse capabilities involved in collecting and analyzing intelligence across different areas, including signals intelligence, human intelligence, and analysis of geospatial and open-source information. Understanding the composition of the IC can help in grasping the collaborative nature required for effective intelligence operations.