Counter Terrorism
Running head: METHOD OF INTELLIGENCE
Method of Intelligence Gathering to Counter Terrorism
NAME
CJ450 – Counterterrorism
Excelsior College
Abstract
In recent years, there has been much debate in the intelligence community relating to the balance between human intelligence and technical intelligence in order to satisfy states’ intelligence requirements. This paper addresses the argument from both sides, and suggests that there has been an over reliance on technical intelligence in recent years, leading to inadequacies in intelligence gathering.
Method of Intelligence Gathering to Counter Terrorism
As noted by Carera (2005), the theme of intelligence reform is still fresh in the United States, and with the creation of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), we can appreciate how deep the concerns over intelligence failure in recent years have been. At the heart of this development lie issues of funding, structure and methodology, of which we are concerned with the last of the three. In order to address the issues surrounding the methodology of collecting intelligence for counter terrorism, we first look at definitions of the intelligence terminology referred to, along with an explanation of the current focus of the debate. We then identify how the modern terrorist threat differs from the traditional Cold War enemy, before suggesting reasons why over reliance on one form of intelligence gathering is wrong. We concentrate on a western perspective of intelligence, in particular, the experiences of the United States. This approach allows us to keep a focus on the issue without wandering into inappropriate areas of debate.
It is my belief that the production of good intelligence should not support one method of collection over another, but should involve the considered application of all forms in order to produce the final intelligence product. Although it is noted that terrorist organizations are not the only current threat to the international
Method of Intelligence Gathering to Counter Terrorism
NAME
CJ450 – Counterterrorism
Excelsior College
Abstract
In recent years, there has been much debate in the intelligence community relating to the balance between human intelligence and technical intelligence in order to satisfy states’ intelligence requirements. This paper addresses the argument from both sides, and suggests that there has been an over reliance on technical intelligence in recent years, leading to inadequacies in intelligence gathering.
Method of Intelligence Gathering to Counter Terrorism
As noted by Carera (2005), the theme of intelligence reform is still fresh in the United States, and with the creation of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), we can appreciate how deep the concerns over intelligence failure in recent years have been. At the heart of this development lie issues of funding, structure and methodology, of which we are concerned with the last of the three. In order to address the issues surrounding the methodology of collecting intelligence for counter terrorism, we first look at definitions of the intelligence terminology referred to, along with an explanation of the current focus of the debate. We then identify how the modern terrorist threat differs from the traditional Cold War enemy, before suggesting reasons why over reliance on one form of intelligence gathering is wrong. We concentrate on a western perspective of intelligence, in particular, the experiences of the United States. This approach allows us to keep a focus on the issue without wandering into inappropriate areas of debate.
It is my belief that the production of good intelligence should not support one method of collection over another, but should involve the considered application of all forms in order to produce the final intelligence product. Although it is noted that terrorist organizations are not the only current threat to the international