Intelligence is the country's first line of defense. The tragedy of September 11, 2001 underscores how important the field of intelligence is to our defense and just how important timely intelligence is. When this first line of defense is sound the country is safe and its citizens only hear of foiled terrorist plots or major arrests of terrorist "suspects." When this first line of defense is not sound, however, tragedy occurs.
Though the intelligence community is staffed with very capable personnel, individuals and organizations within the intelligence community are vulnerable to error, squabbling, and other factors that make the intelligence process less effective. One example of this is when collectors and analysts do not share information. Another example is when analysts fail to provide an objective assessment of target material. Additionally, the intelligence cycle is compromised when customers (i.e., government agencies) do not act on the intelligence that is placed before them.
As is evident from the examples above, intelligence work is a team effort. The intelligence cycle as it is called can be seen as the movement from chaos to order. In other words, the intelligence cycle starts with a problem that is defined, then intelligence is collected, analyzed, and then disseminated. Though this process is an orderly one, there is much room for individual and organizational bias to compromise the product.
A compromised intelligence product spells disaster for the country. Policymakers in the U.S. government understood this when in 2004 they took part in revamping the intelligence community starting with a new concept of "national intelligence". This new way of thinking about intelligence has led to and will continue to usher in an integrated domestic and foreign intelligence program, more depth and accuracy to intelligence analysis, and forward thinking capabilities.
This new approach to intelligence will require new ways of doing business in some respects, but it will also require new personnel. Personnel trained in intelligence work will be important to the success of U.S. intelligence in years to come. For this reason universities offering studies in intelligence and other academic preparation for the challenges this line of work brings will be important. Programs emphasizing studies in intelligence will provide an in depth discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the intelligence community. These programs will also underscore the new direction the intelligence community finds itself steering towards. That means studies in intelligence programs will match the depth of study with a breadth of study because a major new emphasis in intelligence is collaboration with other agencies.
This collaboration, plus the depth and breadth inherent to the intelligence field, require study on advanced levels. As such, a Doctorate in Intelligence or some other doctoral level program of study will be needed to capture the complexity of the contemporary intelligence field. A Doctorate in Intelligence will provide the student with specialized understanding of the many areas of intelligence but it will also incorporate managerial training that is necessary to competently navigate the organizational world of intelligence. A program like the Doctorate in Intelligence studies will help keep U.S. intelligence effective.
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Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, intelligence cycle, studies in intelligence, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu
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