Management of Intelligence

Management of Intelligence

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Management of Intelligence

Important Fact or Concept Summary #1

One of the most important ideas presented was the secrecy in the intelligence sector. This video clip addresses the need for a balance between openness and secrecy in the transactions of this security department. While it is crucial for the government to convey its security transactions to the public, certain information may help terrorists perfect their skills. On the other hand, openness is crucial as it supports democracy in terms of accountability, transparency, and keeping the government close to the voters. Because of the difficulty in balancing these two aspects of intelligence, the Congress formulated a parliamentary act in 2002 in an attempt to guide the decision-making processes. According to this act, the intelligence personnel have the right to withhold sensitive information that may jeopardize counter-terrorist operations on the government, citizens, or the country’s infrastructure.

The structure of this department also needs to support the concept of secrecy. In the bureaucratic system of governance, the conveyance of certain information should depend on the level of risk involved in terms of counter-terrorism. For example, if the information is sensitive and risky, the facts should not move outside the executive strata. Proper mechanisms also need to be in place in order to achieve efficient control in the intelligence subdivision. According to the Plausible Denial Doctrine, the ruler of a country should refute any connection with the intelligence operations in case of illegalities in the process. In search of competence in the control procedures, plans on sensitive issues need discussing in a closed-door forum among the executive personnel with no records of the proposed operations in order to maintain the required secrecy.

Reference

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/12/generation.islam.hijab/index.html

Important Fact or Concept Summary # 2

Another important idea presented was the difficulty in balancing expertise and policy making in the intelligence department. The relationship between the policy makers and professionals in the intelligence division is usually unstable because of the attention sought by each of these stakeholders. The policy-makers, who are mainly in the Congress, try to influence the intelligence tasks through the formulation of certain laws while the intelligence personnel seek to have their views considered. In most occasions, both parties view each other as hindrances to efficient operations in their department. For example, the intelligence personnel believe the legislative arm of government takes an interest in their actions for selfish reasons, as opposed to making laws that protect the nation. For this reason, it is crucial to incorporate these two elements in the needed proportions in order to acquire efficiency in the national security services.

For a long time, the intelligence sector has tried to campaign for their independence from the legislative branch. The workforce in this department argues that a national security division ought to conduct its duties without any form of political pressure. According to them, these politicians aim at enacting policies that control the country’s intelligence in accordance to their preferences. Although these claims may be true, the independence of this national security sector may have several negative effects on the country. This is because, in most cases, the government accepts facts released by this department without any arguments. This, therefore, necessitates the installation of a competent body to oversee its operations. The legislative branch of government acts as an appropriate department for this purpose. It is, therefore, crucial to integrate the two divisions of government in national security issues.

Reference

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/11/generation.islam.punk.rock/index.html