Intelligence

Definition. Functions. Intelligence vs. Democracy.

Intelligence

Intelligence is the process of collecting and analyzing information for the benefit of policymakers.

Traditional concern: intentions and capabilities of opponents that can threaten a country’s military security.

Newer concerns: political, economic, and social data about other countries.

Permanent intelligence agencies: UK (1909), Germany (1913), Russia (1917), France (1935), US (1947).

Functions of Intelligence

• Four functions:

1. Collection

2. Analysis

3. Counterintelligence

4. Covert Action

Collection

• Collection: gathering of information from whatever sources.

• Two methods:

1. TECHINT: SIGINT, ELINT, PHOINT, cryptanalysis, TELINT.

2. HUMINT: agents, double agents, sleepers, moles.

Analysis

• Analysis: making sense of what is collected.

• The intelligence product that goes to the policymakers.

• Major products:

– Current intelligence.

– Analytical intelligence.

– Estimative (predictive) intelligence.

Counterintelligence

• Counterintelligence: protecting state secrets from outsiders who are trying to learn them, i.e., to discover hostile foreign intelligence operations and destroy their effectiveness.

• Methods of counterintelligence:

– Counterespionage

– Countersabotage

– Countersubversion

Covert Action

• Covert action: an effort to influence a foreign government or group without the hand of the actor being evident.

• Methods: Bribery Defection

Assassination Disinformation

Kidnapping Sabotage

Coup d’etat Blackmail

Intelligence Activities and International Society

• Intelligence and democracy. Are they compatible?

• The end of Cold War meant that intelligence activities can turn away from its negative past.

• More states are willing to gather and share intelligence in the face of newer challenges, e.g., terrorism.

• Other sectors, especially business, are increasingly using former intelligence analyst in their business intelligence section/department.