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

IntroductionThis book by Treverton (2009) is argued present to be a vitally of the essence(p) ara of work that looks specifically at the way in which the use of tidings has naturally had to change as a result of modern society. Interestingly, although there is a clear localize not to apportion unholy specifically for the recent atrocities, the actor indicates that he feels there is a link between the United States and their flawed climax to science and the high profile terror attacks that thrust taken go in in the US. Signifi butt endtly, the compose is very cargonful not to apportion blame or finger point and maintains a balanced and critical memory access when trying to establish a link and to look at the enjoyment of intelligence. Main Arguments Presented In this book, the author veridically goes on to break brush up the failures, in order to try to identify the impact that the specific shortcomings atomic number 18 having on the magnitude and nature of the targe t of the threats. He recognises in this abridgment that, in many cases, the intelligence approaches are enshrined in the refrigerating warfare security approaches of looking at the organisation and the tactical decisions of the intelligence offerings, preferably than focal point on the actual threats that are universe faced in the current climate (Riley et al 2005). unrivalled of the main aspects of the book which provides added note value to the information that is being presented is that, although the author spends time identifying the failings, he overly spends whatever 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 former(a)wise be a potentially schoolman discussion. In order to achieve this, the author takes a very matter-of-fact view, with the initial stage being to look at the nature of the risks that are loo king at being targeted from intelligence operations. He states that recognising the threats is the first tempo towards so being able to recognise the way these should be handled. It is this prosaic approach which looks at both the unfeignedistic reality and the academic ingest that makes this book so informative in the area of intelligence being used in the terror context. The author follows themes and after identifying them he then goes on to look at how intelligence should be reformed to cumulation with the modern challenges. In order to identify the best way to deport with intelligence and to look at the reform of intelligence culture, there is a need 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 point value to the discussion, in the whimsy of the reviewer, is to look at the role of the land state as being at the root of the changing dynamic. For exampl e, during the Cold War, the focus of terror attacks was typically nation states and as such the intelligence gathering focussed on these entities. As time has passed, the nation states have become much to a greater extent than simply target areas. Nation states can often offer a great wish of information that adds to the friendship and understanding of the general issues of intelligence. Increasingly however in the modern context, the non-state actors process 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 motivation and actions can be better soundless (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 involved in the area of intelligence gath ering to sustain 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 applied science to share 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 unavoidably to be a reasonable means of supplying information crossways all relevant actors and to ensure 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 legitimacy 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 mend security , but also to provide privacy and security for individuals information (Snowden, 2002). He notes that paying attention to legality and legitimacy is in fact progressively important to the anti-terror efforts and that there then needs to be a resume 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 encouraging 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 means 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 Paradox and descriptive Self-Awareness, Journal of Knowledge Management, Special Issue, September. Treverton, G. (2009). Intelligence for an Age of Terror. Cambridge Cambridge University Press.