NCJ Number
118509
Date Published
1989
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the nature and methods of antiterrorist intelligence analysis.
Abstract
The chapter notes that American intelligence operations have tended to be overly dependent on satellites for information gathering at the expense of obtaining "ground truth" or inside information. The importance of obtaining accurate as opposed to political intelligence analysis is emphasized. A profile of the antiterrorist analyst focuses on the analyst's objective, skills, knowledge, and methodology. Target analysis (identifying and assessing the vulnerabilities of possible terrorist targets) and terrorist-group analysis are also discussed. Aspects of antiterrorist analysis addressed include antiterrorist intelligence and counterintelligence and the collection process. Other topics discussed are press criticism of American intelligence operations, the earth-satellite collection, and the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) performance. Some criticisms of the CIA are its difficulty in assessing the key political, economic, and military issues associated with overseas problems; the pressure on analysts to produce "spot news reports;" the reluctance of analysts to challenge preconceptions; and the tendency to adjust intelligence estimates to fit with official foreign policy directions. 16 notes.