USA Counter-terrorism

Posted on April 18, 2014 by admin

What is Intelligence?

Since 9/11 the United States as been engaged in a world wide fight against terrorism.

The intelligence community uses five basic
intelligence sources:
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) is the exploitation and analysis of imagery, Imagery Intelligence
(IMINT), and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and
geographically referenced activities on the Earth.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is intelligence derived from information collected and provided
by human sources. This information includes overt data collected by personnel in diplomatic and
consular posts as well as otherwise unobtainable information collected via clandestine sources,
debriefings of foreign nationals and U.S. citizens who travel abroad, official contacts with foreign
governments, and direct observation.

Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) is technically derived data other than
Imagery and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The data is analyzed and results in intelligence that
locates, identifies, or describes distinctive characteristics of targets. It employs a broad group of disciplines including nuclear, optical, radio frequency, acoustics, seismic, and materials sciences.
Examples include the distinctive radar signatures of specific aircraft systems or the chemical
composition of air and water samples.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is intelligence produced from publicly available information
collected, exploited, and disseminated in a timely manner to an appropriate audience for the
purpose of addressing a specific intelligence requirement. OSINT draws from a wide variety of
information and sources, including the following:
• Mass Media — newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and computer-based information.
• Public Data — includes government reports, official data such as budgets and
demographics, hearings, legislative debates, press conferences, speeches, directories,
organization charts, marine and aeronautical safety warnings, environmental impact
statements, contract awards, and required financial disclosures.
• Gray Literature (a.k.a. Grey Literature) — open-source material that usually is available
through specialized access for a specific audience. Gray Literature can include, but
is not limited to, research reports, technical reports, economic reports, trip reports,
working papers, discussion papers, unofficial government documents, proceedings,
pre-prints, studies, dissertations and theses, trade literature, market surveys, and
newsletters. The material cuts across scientific, political, socioeconomic, and military
disciplines.
• Observation and Reporting — includes significant information not otherwise available
that is/has been provided by amateur airplane spotters, radio monitors, and satellite
observers among many others. The availability of worldwide satellite photography,
often high resolution, on the Web (e.g., Google Earth) has expanded open-source
capabilities into areas formerly available to major intelligence services only.
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is information gathered from data transmissions, including
Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and Foreign
Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT). SIGINT includes both the raw data and the
analysis of the data.
• COMINT is the capture of information for the purposes of tracking communications
patterns and protocols (traffic analysis), establishing links between intercommunicating
parties or groups, and/or analysis of the meaning of the communication.
• FISINT is information derived from the intercept of foreign electromagnetic emissions
associated with the testing and operational deployment of non-U.S. aerospace,
surface, and subsurface systems including, but not limited to, telemetry, beaconry,
electronic interrogators, and video data links.
• ELINT is information derived primarily from electronic signals that do not contain
speech or text (which are considered COMINT). The most common sources of this
type of information are radar signals.

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The Intelligence Cycle

Posted on April 20, 2014 by admin

The Intelligence Cycle
The intelligence cycle is the process of developing raw information into finished intelligence for
policymakers, military commanders, and other consumers to use in making decisions. The cycle
is highly dynamic and never-ending and often includes a sixth stage of evaluation. Evaluation
occurs for each of the stages individually and for the cycle as a whole. It is sometimes referred
to as feedback.
Six steps constitute the intelligence cycle:
Planning and Direction: Establish the intelligence requirements of the consumer.
Planning and direction is the opening stage for the intelligence cycle. It is the
springboard from which all intelligence activities are launched. Ironically, the direction
portion will most often come first, whereby the consumer places a requirement for a
specific product. The product may be a report, graphic, or at times raw intelligence. From
that, the intelligence organization being tasked will plan its activity.
Collection: Gather the raw data required to produce the desired finished product.
Collection is accomplished by using any combination of the five basic intelligence
sources or disciplines (Geospatial Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Measurement
and Signature Intelligence, Open-Source Intelligence, and Signals Intelligence). The raw
information gathered includes, but is not limited to, newspaper reporting, aerial
imagery, satellite imagery, documents, and more.

Processing and Exploitation: Convert the raw data into comprehensible form that is usable for
producing the finished product.
Processing and exploitation involves the use of highly trained, specialized personnel and
equipment to turn the data into usable and understandable information. Translation,
decryption, and interpretation of film and imagery are only a few examples of the processes
and methods used for film, magnetic, and other media used for collecting and storing data.
Analysis and Production: Integrate, evaluate, analyze, and prepare the processed information
for inclusion in the finished product.
Analysis and production requires highly trained, specialized personnel—analysts—to give
meaning and priority to the information. Synthesizing the processed information into
an actionable finished intelligence product allows the information to be useful to the
customer. It is important to note however, that in some cases, the cycle may skip this stage,
for example, when the consumer needs only the factual reporting or products such as raw
imagery. This was the case during the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962) when President
Kennedy needed only the actual count of Soviet equipment in Cuba or facts concerning
Soviet activity with no analysis since that was implied by the numbers and activity reported.
Dissemination: Deliver the finished product to the consumer who requested it and to others as applicable.

Dissemination is self-explanatory. Consumers who requested the information receive the
finished product, usually via electronic transmission. This is accomplished most often
using mechanisms such as Web sites, electronic mail, Web 2.0 collaboration tools, and
hardcopy. The final and finished product is referred to as finished intelligence. After the
product is disseminated, new intelligence gaps may be identified and the intelligence
cycle begins again.
Evaluation: Acquire continual feedback during the cycle that aids in refining each individual
stage and the cycle as a whole.
Evaluation is an assumed stage of the intelligence cycle and is not often discussed
separately. One viewpoint maintains, however, that this stage must be understood and
implemented along with the original five. Evaluation and feedback are important to allow
the cycle and those using it to adjust and refine their activities and analysis to better meet
consumers’ information demands in the modern era.

 

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What Intelligence Cannot Do

Posted on April 20, 2014 by admin

2. what intelligence cannot do: Realistic expectations will
help consumers fill their intelligence needs. Intelligence, however, cannot:
• Predict the future. Intelligence can provide assessments of likely scenarios
or developments, but there is no way to predict what will happen with
absolute certainty.
• Violate U.S. law. The activities of the Intelligence Community (IC) must be
conducted consistent with all applicable laws and executive orders, to include the
National Security Act of 1947, as amended; the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act; the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA); the Privacy
Act of 1974; the Detainee Treatment Act; Homeland Security Act of 2002, as
amended; Executive Order 12333; and the Military Commission Act.

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What Intelligence Can Do

Posted on April 20, 2014 by admin

What Intelligence Can Do
Intelligence information can be an extremely powerful tool. It is most useful when the
consumer has a clear understanding of what intelligence can and cannot do. While laws,
policies, capabilities, and standards are constantly changing, these general guidelines can help
consumers make the most of this resource.
1. what intelligence can do: Intelligence can provide:
• Decision advantage, by presenting information and analysis that can improve
the decision making process for consumers and partners while hindering that of
our enemies.
• Warning of potential threats.
• Insight into key current events.
• Situational awareness.
• Long-term strategic assessments on issues of ongoing interest.
• Pre-travel security overviews and support.
• Reports on specific topics, either as part of ongoing reporting or upon request
for short-term needs.
• Knowledge on persons of interest.

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