Intelligence Collection In Iraq: A Qualitative Analysis
The question posed is challenging, because it is difficult to choose which intelligence collection techniques had the greatest effect in accomplishing U.S. objectives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, because ALL of these intelligence collection methods—collectively—had an impact, and each technique differed in terms of the data provided, timeliness, accuracy, and responsiveness. Further, as we consider intelligence failures of the past, I am reminded that no one form of intelligence collection can stand on its own and human intelligence (HUMINT) should never be overlooked or ignored. However, since the question presented to students does ask us to address which techniques, this implies a decision, or choice, so I choose the combined use
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As we have learned through this course, HUMINT collection requires a significant investment in time to establish, as well as significant risk to the collector, and this is no less so in a combat environment. However, HUMINT collection did improve during the Iraq conflict, and many of the lessons learned from Iraq led to improvements in HUMINT collections in Afghanistan. It is also noteworthy that HUMINT led to the capture of Saddam Hussein (USAICoE Command History Office 2013), and this event certainly can be considered a significant impact of HUMINT. This point was also made in 2011 by Major General James "Spider" Marks, in the video, “Army Elite – Intelligence Collection.” Major General Marks speaks to the technical intelligence collection that the U.S. possessed when it engaged in Iraq, but he emphasizes that to understand your enemy requires having “a sense of them,” and he asserted that it was “hard core” intelligence gathering and forces on the ground (HUMINT) that helped to locate Saddam Hussein.
Geospatial Intelligence or Imagery Intelligence (GEOINT or IMINT). Imagery, or geospatial support, helped U.S. forces in terms of the ability to visualize the battlefield in Iraq. In Afghanistan, GEOINT overshadowed other intelligence disciplines, just as it did in Iraq. According to (Hughbank and Githens 2010, 35), IMINT is one of the most timely and responsive intelligence collection methods, since it allows for rapid processing and dissemination, and these attributes were certainly of value to the U.S. in its involvement in the Middle
As we have learned through this course, HUMINT collection requires a significant investment in time to establish, as well as significant risk to the collector, and this is no less so in a combat environment. However, HUMINT collection did improve during the Iraq conflict, and many of the lessons learned from Iraq led to improvements in HUMINT collections in Afghanistan. It is also noteworthy that HUMINT led to the capture of Saddam Hussein (USAICoE Command History Office 2013), and this event certainly can be considered a significant impact of HUMINT. This point was also made in 2011 by Major General James "Spider" Marks, in the video, “Army Elite – Intelligence Collection.” Major General Marks speaks to the technical intelligence collection that the U.S. possessed when it engaged in Iraq, but he emphasizes that to understand your enemy requires having “a sense of them,” and he asserted that it was “hard core” intelligence gathering and forces on the ground (HUMINT) that helped to locate Saddam Hussein.
Geospatial Intelligence or Imagery Intelligence (GEOINT or IMINT). Imagery, or geospatial support, helped U.S. forces in terms of the ability to visualize the battlefield in Iraq. In Afghanistan, GEOINT overshadowed other intelligence disciplines, just as it did in Iraq. According to (Hughbank and Githens 2010, 35), IMINT is one of the most timely and responsive intelligence collection methods, since it allows for rapid processing and dissemination, and these attributes were certainly of value to the U.S. in its involvement in the Middle