Intelligence Services in the Information Age

Description

Intelligence was a central element of the Cold War and the need for it was expected to diminish after the USSR's collapse, yet in recent years it has been in greater demand than ever. The atrocities of 11 September and the subsequent "war on terrorism" now call for an even more intensive effort. Important questions arise on how intelligence fits into the world of increased threats, globalization and expanded international action. This volume contains the recent work on this subject by Michael Herman, British intelligence professional for 35 years and Oxford University academic. It compares intelligence with other government information services, and discusses the British intelligence system and the case for its reform. It also addresses the ethical issues raised by intelligence's methods and results: "do they on balance make for a better world or a worse one?". Other chapters explore a wide range of intelligence topics past and present, including the transatlantic relationship, the alliance strategies of Norway and New Zealand, Mrs Thatcher's "de-unionization" of British Sigint, and personal memories of the British Cabinet Office in the 1970s. Michael Herman argues for intelligence professionalism as a contribution to international security and for its encouragement as a world standard. The modern challenge is for intelligence to support international cooperation in ways originally developed to advance national interests, while at the same time developing some restraint and international "rules of the game", in the use of intrusive and covert methods on its traditional targets. The effects of 11 September on this challenge are discussed in a thoughtful afterword. Contents Foreword • Peter Hennessy Preface Acknowledgements Part I – Intelligence and Information 1 Intelligence’s Essence 2 Intelligence and Diplomacy 3 Intelligence and the Revolution in Military Affairs Part II – Living with the US: British and Other Systems 4 British Intelligence in the New Century: Issues and Opportunities 5 The Joint Intelligence Committee in Perspective 6 British and American Systems: A Study in Contrasts? 7 Norway as an Intelligence Ally 8 New Zealand’s Intelligence Alliance: An Antipodean Dilemma Part III – Historical Lessons 9 The Cold War: Did Intelligence Make a Difference? 10 Up from the Country: Cabinet Office Impressions 1972–75 11 The Effects of Secrecy: GCHQ De-Unionization 12 Collectors, Analysts and Customers in the Cold War Part IV – Intelligence and a Better World 13 Intelligence and International Ethics 14 Afterword: The World Trade Center Catastrophe of 11 September 2001 Index