Intelligence Gathering

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts and figures related to the analysis of Intelligence gathering by government. In this paper, the author has examined the history of Intelligence gathering in U.S. Furthermore, the author has also highlighted the role of CIA in Intelligence gathering. Finally, the author has evaluated the contemporary view of Intelligence gathering.

Intelligence Gathering

Introduction

Intelligence gathering refers to a tool by which the state perceives, collects and analyzes classified information obtained from public sources. In addition, Intelligence gathering may refer to (Wilford, 2011):

The bodies that produce such data;

Activities carried out by those bodies;

Organization and management of those activities;

The end product of this activity

The main aim of intelligence gathering is to carry out analytical work in areas related to national security. It also provides early warning of impending crises along with informing national authorities of the defense planning and operational Command. This authority responsible for intelligence gathering protects classified information as their own sources and activities and certain other public bodies. They also influence the course of events, guided by national interests (Weller, 2011). In the next section, the author will examine the history of intelligence gathering by the government to the way intelligence is gathered today by the government.

Discussion

History of intelligence gathering

The history of Intelligence gathering dates back to Cold War. For years, CIA has been allocated huge budgets to improve the level of intelligence at the state level. Intelligence gathering post-Cold War retained the usual spy-versus-spy intrigues, but with a new focuses on verification of arms control agreements, antiterrorism, economic espionage, and monitoring of weapons of mass destruction. During wartime, accurate intelligence may be worth divisions or even armies. This was certainly the case for the Western Allies during World War II, when accurate intelligence proved a vital “force multiplier” against both Germany and Japan. Correct intelligence about Germany's plan to launch Barbarossa was ignored by Stalin, but Japan's intention to attack southward enabled him to shift Siberian reserves to the eastern front to counterattack in force outside Moscow at the most desperate moment in 1941. Britain and the United States made enormous use of superior intelligence to trick, manipulate, and misdirect the Axis powers in both Europe and Asia and in the Battle of the Atlantic (Weiss, 2005).

In the early days, intelligence gathering was referred to the use of many methods and agents of the Organization of Special Services created during the war, to spy missions and support for the resistance behind German lines. The philosophy of the organization was to give the President a second view made by civilians against the military contributed by the National Security Agency. The main object of CIA was to control the USSR and its allies. In the late forties, the CIA helped to defeat the communist guerrillas in Greece. By 1953, major covert operations (propaganda, paramilitary and political) were conducted in 48 countries. In 1950 the CIA helped to suppress the popular uprising in the ...