Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapters 9, 10
• Lecture
• Link (website): Church Committee Reports Archive

Introduction

Peruse Volume 5 of the Church Committee report above discussing domestic collection and the 4th Amendment right against unlawful search and seizure.

Initial Post

Given the politics inherent in overseeing counterintelligence programs, how much do you see the intelligence gathering hampered by outside interference? Use the Church Committee Report to support your position for or against.

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: “ In my own opinion I do believe that intelligence gathering is hampered by outside interference. In politics groups aim to push their own agenda and push themselves forward. The intelligence community is supposed to do the opposite and stay faithful to national security issues. When these two groups meet it would be easy to see how the politics would influence the intelligence community with self-serving requests and policies. For example, in the Church Committee Reports it talks about how the intelligence community was allegedly used to try and conduct assassinations on foreign figures such as Fidel Castro. These assassinations were allegedly plotted by the intelligence community and then to be carried out by them as well. The influence behind these plots was thought to come from United States officials instigating and aiding intelligence community members in carrying them out. With that said the Church Committee Reports also say that this may be due to lack of accountability in the intelligence community. They are not held to the same standards and limitations the rest of the government is held to under things like the checks and balances. This allows them to operate in a gray area where they can do as they see fit. If they were to be watched more closely than things like this may be prevented. With that said that open them up to other issues like leaked information and more influence that could push them towards someone’s personal agenda. In the end I believe they need to do their best to avoid any bias influence that politics often is associated with (“Interim Report,” n.d.)”.

Reference:

Interim Report: Alleged Assassination Plots Involving Foreign Leaders. (n.d.). Retrieved November

20, 2019, from http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/church/reports/i…

Student 2: “When looking at the intelligence community I do believe that intelligence gathering is hampered by outside interference. My reasoning behind this is with anything agency and corporations there are always corrupt people. This seems to be a large issue in today’s society as corruptness is a large issue within government agencies. Many people nowadays look past their morals and often rely on financial gain. Often times with evidence being tampered with or intelligence being shared there is a financial gain attached to the deed. When looking at the intelligence community they are to stay true and faithful to the national security issues and maintain the information correctly. Politics play a large role in many aspects of the government so when looking at the intelligence community you can see how politics may influence the intelligence community on special requests. As well with this, many people who are highly involved in politics hold a high ranking and respect as the people under them feel the pressure to perform what the political people may say. When taking a look at the Church Committee Reports it talks about how the intelligence community with the CIA was allegedly assigned to plan and attempt the murders of foreign leaders. The list of the people includes Patrice Lumumba (Congo), Fidel Castro (Cuba), Rafael Trujillo (Dominican Republic), Ngo Dinh Diem (Vietnam), and Rene Schneider (Chile) (AARC). This shows the hampering that occurs through our intelligence community. The article also states, “The Committee also examined the CIA’s development of a general “executive action” capability. The Committee found that the U.S. initiated plots to assassinate Fidel Castro and Patrice Lumumba.” (AARC). This suggests that not only did the intelligence community make the plan for the kills but also took executive actions to complete the orders”.

Reference:

Assassination Archive and Research Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aarclibrary.org/publib/contents/church/…