A Review of Intelligence for an Age of Terror (Treverton, 2009).

IntroductionThis moderate by Treverton (2009) is argued here to be a vitally important ara of work that looks specifically at the way in which the use of cognition has naturally had to change as a result of redbrick society. Interestingly, although there is a clear aim non to apportion blame specifically for the recent atrocities, the originator indicates that he feels there is a link between the United States and their flawed approach to intelligence agency and the higher(prenominal) profile terror attacks that have worryn place in the US. Significantly, the author is very careful not to apportion blame or finger point and maintains a balanced and critical approach when stressful to establish a link and to look at the post of intelligence. Main Arguments Presented In this book, the author really goes on to break down the failures, in order to try to identify the impact that the specific shortcomings are having on the magnitude and nature of the arse of the threats. He re cognises in this analysis that, in many cases, the intelligence approaches are enshrined in the Cold War security approaches of looking at the organisation and the tactical decisions of the intelligence offerings, rather than focusing on the actual threats that are existence faced in the current humour (Riley et al 2005). atomic number 53 of the main aspects of the book which provides added value to the information that is being presented is that, although the author spends time identifying the failings, he also spends some considerable time looking at the way in which the changes he suggests could be implemented, in practice. As a professional with experience in the field, this shows and adds considerable value to what would otherwise be a potentially academic discussion. In order to contact this, the author takes a very virtual(a) view, with the initial stage being to look at the nature of the risks that are looking at being targeted from intelligence operations. He states th at recognising the threats is the first step towards then being able to recognise the way these should be handled. It is this pragmatic approach which looks at both the practical reality and the academic study that makes this book so instructive in the area of intelligence being used in the terror context. The author follows themes and after(prenominal) identifying them he then goes on to look at how intelligence should be illuminateed to deal with the groundbreaking challenges. In order to identify the best way to deal with intelligence and to look at the reform of intelligence culture, there is a choose first to consider the actual route of the threat and where it emanates from. One underlying argument and theme which is presented by the author here and which adds particular value to the discussion, in the thinking of the reviewer, is to look at the role of the nation state as being at the root of the changing dynamic. For example, during the Cold War, the focus of terror a ttacks was typically nation states and as such the intelligence gathering focussed on these entities. As time has passed, the nation states have become much more than simply target areas. Nation states can often offer a great deal of information that adds to the knowledge and rationality of the general issues of intelligence. Increasingly however in the modern context, the non-state actors play a vitally important role and it is argued by the author here that much of the role of the modern intelligence officer is to look at understanding the distinctions and various nuances that exist within these non-state actors, in such a way that their own demand and actions can be better understood (p.141) Linked to this thread of discussion and again a vitally important aspect of the role of intelligence is that there are considerably more individuals, groups and entities that are heterogeneous in the area of intelligence gathering to prevent terrorism. With this increased number of people involved, the author places a great deal of focus on the idea that, whilst agencies may well have the technology to parting information, they do not necessarily have the appropriate policies in place and therefore the underlying policies need to be reviewed, if modern challenges are going to be dealt with. As an overall position, the author maintains that there needs to be a reasonable means of supplying information across all relevant actors and to tick that the information which is being presented is relevant and measured, so that the correct people can react quickly and appropriately. By focusing on some of the practical difficulties faced in the current climate, it is argued here that the author gains a much higher degree of authenticity than other academic analyses in this area may achieve in particular, the author recognises that it is necessary to take a balance between the need to improve security, but also to provide privacy and security for individuals information (Sno wden, 2002). He notes that paying attention to legality and legitimacy is in fact increasingly important to the anti-terror efforts and that there then needs to be a supply review of the policies associated with anti-terror activities as the main way of managing and combating such issues. He supports this by suggesting that factors such as load-bearing(a) intelligence authorities to create a method whereby they can share information with other entities in a constructive and balanced manner is as important, if not more so, than the actual intelligence itself.ConclusionsOn balance, it is argued that this book presents an interesting and well informed opinion on the modern challenges facing the intelligence industry. By being an author who has practical experience in this area, it is suggested that this allows the text to gain legitimacy and also to take a more rounded view of the challenges being faced. Finally, providing practical and well backed up suggestions for the future(a) m eans that this text presents real value to the area of intelligence and counter terrorist activities. It is concluded, therefore, that this is a well-balanced and informative text that fills a gap within the current understanding of the intelligence industry.ReferenceRiley et al., (2005) State and local Intelligence in the War on Terrorism, Santa Monica, CA RAND Corporation Snowden, D (2002) Complex Acts of Knowing riddle and Descriptive Self-Awareness, Journal of Knowledge Management, Special Issue, September. Treverton, G. (2009). Intelligence for an Age of Terror. Cambridge Cambridge University Press.