• Textbook: Chapters 9, 10
• Lecture
• Link (PDF): U.S. Government. A tradecraft primer: Structured analytic techniques for improving intelligence analysis
• Link (website): The CIA’s Family Jewels

Introduction

Intelligence bureaucrats often build expertise in one particular area and are more permanent than their elected/appointed policy counterparts.

Initial Post

Using the criteria in the chapter on policy, is there a current policy on an intelligence community issue of your choice that works? Use outside and open source material to support your choice.

Secondary Posts
Read postings provided by your instructor or fellow students. Read and respond to the conclusions drawn by your classmates. Remember to read the feedback to your own major postings and reply throughout the week.

Writing Requirements

• In addition to one initial post, respond to at least two peers.
• Initial Post Length: minimum of 250 words
• Secondary Post Length: minimum of 200 words per post
• Using APA format, provide at least one citation with corresponding references page and use appropriate in-text citation(s) referring to the academic concept for the initial post.

Grading and Assessment
Meeting the minimum number of posting does not guarantee an A; you must present an in-depth discussion of high quality, integrate sources to support your assertions, and refer to peers’ comments in your secondary posts to build on concepts.

This activity will be graded using the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric.

Learning Outcome(s): 3, 4, 6
3. Define the U.S. Intelligence community.
4. List the different kinds of intelligence and examine how it is gathered.
6. Identify and explain the intelligence cycle and apply the cycle to various situations.

Student 1 : “One policy on an intelligence community issue that I thought was interesting was that relating to Cyber threats. In the National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, it states that cyber threats are “already challenging public confidence in our global institutions, governance, and norms, while imposing numerous economic costs domestically and globally” (dni.gov, 2019). This quote outlines the requirements for the policy because it is a specific issue that is being addressed. Cyber Threat Intelligence is listed as the fourth topical mission objective in the strategy document. The document also further outlines the policy makers’ agenda by listing out how this goal will be met. An example of this is by increasing awareness and understanding of adversaries’ use of cyber operations in the fields of leadership, intentions, capabilities, and operations (dni.gov, 2019). As stated by Lowenthal, “the intelligence community wants guidance on the priorities of the agenda so that its collection and reporting can be as helpful as possible.” (Lowenthal, 2017, pg. 288). By outlining the goals of the policy, the National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America makes it easier for the intelligence community to direct their efforts so that they can help as much as possible. Cyber threats are a newer concern for governments and individuals around the world, so it is no surprise that the United States government would outline a portion of the national intelligence strategy to cyber threats. Cyber threats also can be a risk for almost any field. Some examples are the risks that cyber-attacks can pose economically or militarily”.

https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/National_Intelligence_Strategy_2019.pdf

Lowenthal, M. M. (2017). Intelligence: from secrets to policy (7th ed.). Los Angeles: CQ Press.

Student 2: “Lowenthal states that, “policy makers can play a determining role at every phase of the intelligence process” (Lowenthal, 2017 p.277.) This is especially true in the requirements stage of the intelligence gathering process. These are the policy makers agenda and every policy maker have certain areas or issues they want to concentrate on. “The intelligence community wants guidance on the priorities of the agenda so that its collection and reporting can be as helpful as possible” (Lowenthal, 2017 p.288.) Defining the requirements by policy makers can sometimes be difficult because “senior policy makers probably are not fully conversant with every issue” (Lowenthal, 2017 p.295.) According to Lowenthal the best policy makers known what they don’t know and take steps to learn more. The world is always changing and ever evolving, so policy makers and the intelligence community always have to take this into account. One requirement, according to the National Intelligence Strategy of 2019, is to “identify and assess the capabilities, activities, and intentions of states and non-state entities to develop a deep understanding of the strategic environment” (dni.gov.) This is the process of developing the context, knowledge, and understanding of the strategic environment to support the United Stated national security polices (dni.gov.) Policy makers and the intelligence communities must build and maintain expertise and knowledge of the strategic approach in the issues facing the United States. Right now, at least to me, it seems that no one in our government knows exactly what is going on. There is fighting everywhere, and it seems that we are perpetually living in a schoolyard fight between sixth graders. We need to focus and not base our judgements from our guts, but from the facts that are presented by intelligence gathered”.

Lowenthal, M.M. (2017) Intelligence: From secrets to policy. London, UK: Sage

https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/National_…