Intelligence and Politics: An Introduction

The 9/11 attacks, the public furores over intelligence following the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and a succession of highly publicized inquiries on both of sides of the Atlantic, have served to amplify a rapidly growing interest in Intelligence Studies. Subsequent terrorist attacks in Britain, Spain and Indonesia, and emerging international tensions over nuclear proliferation and the so-called 'war on terror' drive a continued and ever growing interest in the subject. This book is the first introduction to the key concepts and issues in intelligence for students. It covers general ideas, methods, problems and debates in the field, and takes a global perspective, using examples from a range of national intelligence systems. The book is divided into three key areas: intelligence itself, the role of intelligence in government, and political issues and debates surrounding intelligence. It will be essential reading for students of intelligence studies, and recommended reading for students of US politics, security/strategic studies and foreign policy.

Introduction. Introduction for Course Convenors 1.What is Intelligence? The Elements of Intelligence 2.Collection: Sources and Methods 3.Counter-Intelligence: Protecting Intelligence 4.Covert Action: War by Other Means 5.Analysis and Estimates: Putting the Pieces Together6.Requirements and Priorities: The Need to Know Intelligence in Government 7.Intelligence and Policy: The Producer-Consumer Interface 8.The Intelligence Community: Coordination and Integration 9.Causes of Intelligence Failure: Why it Goes Wrong 10.Defence Support: Information for Combat 11.Police Intelligence: Information for Law Enforcement Intelligence and Politics 12.Ethics and Intelligence 13.Intelligence and Democracy I: Surveillance and Civil Liberties 14.Intelligence and Democracy II: Accountability and Oversight 15.Intelligence and Democracy III: Proportionality and the Law 16.Intelligence in Non-Democratic States: Espionage and Regime Security