This article by Dr. Lowenthal in 2011 looks at many of the ongoing challenges we continue to face regarding the evolution of the intelligence process that transitioned from the Cold War era and into the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and post Iraq/WMD era. Lowenthal discusses the attractiveness of finding new analytical methods but questions just how effective they are in the grand scheme of things pertaining to the intelligence process/intelligence cycle as well as dealing with intelligence customer and analyst relationship. In addition, he looks at the ongoing issue of strengthening the core skillsets of analysts such as writing skills, analysis, and creating specializations in regard to continued education in the intelligence discipline throughout one’s career.
Article Excerpt:
“If Jane Austen had been an intelligence analyst she might have begun Pride and Prejudice (a title apt for intelligence analysis): “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an intelligence analyst in possession of a good idea, must be in want of a better means of doing his work.”
“Many professions see themselves as overly prone to self- flagellation (with the possible exception of lawyers and bankers), but intelligence analysis has to be in the uppermost rungs of the ladder in this regard. Why? I think there are several reasons:
- We recognize the imperfection of what we do. Even though we say that we are not here simply to make calls on future events, that is what much of our work comes down to and we recognize just how difficult this is.
- We deeply love what we do; we see ourselves as a profession (not everyone would agree) and therefore we want to do better.
- Finally, despite the fact that much of what we do is intellectual in nature, we work in a milieu that is strikingly anti-intellectual.”
Article:
Transforming Intelligence: From What, to What?
By Dr. Mark M. Lowenthal
Published by American Intelligence Journal ; Property of National Military Intelligence Association (NMIF)
March 2011, Vol. 29 Issue 1, p5-11. 7p.
ISSN: 0883-072x
Abstract:
The article reports on the transformation of military intelligence in the U.S. It cites several reasons why intelligence analysis has to be the uppermost matter for intelligence professionals including their love of what they do, the recognition of their imperfection and the nature of their work which is anti-intellectual. It mentions that Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Ambassador John Negroponte became the first DNI in April 2005 and considered as the relative starting point of the history of intelligence transformation. It notes that the act which establishes the U.S. Intelligence Community which is the National Security Act of July 1947 is a barebones affair.
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