Discuss the proposition “If we could put more human, material and electronic resources into intelligence the more problem of terrorism would disappear."
Enhancing Intelligence Management,
Developing Community Resilience
FAHD PAHDEPIE
Terrorism is an evolving and multifaceted phenomenon (Lentini, 2003). Although there is no single definition that is received full approval from academic and governmental circle, most scholars and practitioners believe that the key idea of terrorism is a politically motivated violence against non-combatants that is designed to trigger fear and anxiety among them (Lentini, 2013; Schmid & Graaf, 1982). Bakker and Veldhuis (2012) argue that terrorists do not utilize violence to kill or wound their
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The term of ‘fear management’ in counterterrorism debates is related to the concept of ‘community resilience’ (Bakker & Veldhuis, 2012). Borrowing from the concept of ‘resilience’ in ecology, engineering, physics and psychology, where the term is already well developed, the phrase of ‘community resilience’ can be defined as the demonstrated capacity for a given system, such as community, to withstand and respond positively to fear and anxiety (Wickes, Zahnow, & Mazerolle, 2010). In the counterterrorism context, community resilience can be presumed as a positive factor that limits the negative impact of terrorism on individual and society (Bakker & Veldhuis, 2012).
In linking with the intelligence as one of the key elements in counterterrorism efforts, there is a big question for the intelligence community regarding what portion that they can contribute in developing the so-called resilient community? While realizing that the need to develop better intelligence management—to put more human, technological, and financial capitals—is immediate necessity (Ackerman, 2001), intelligence community should aware that the major objective of intelligence management is not about apprehending the state of terrorism through data mining and covert actions, rather to develop preparedness, vulnerability, and recovery of the society to face and handle the threats and disorders (Scott & Jackson, 2004). Consequently, intelligence should be perceived as an
The three great conflicts of the twentieth century: World Wars I and II and the Cold War impacted the progression of the intelligence revolution. During these conflict the United States leadership “looked to intelligence as a weapon of defense and as an aid to victory. ”1 Further, it was the pressures of these wars that the intelligence community expanded, moving closer to the inner circle of the government.2 Furthermore, as the intelligence community expanded, and intelligence professionals developed their skills in conducting threat assessment. In view of, a need to expand the intelligence community it began the rise of the intelligence community in the 20th century.3
The 1776 united States of America Declaration of Independence contain the words that succinctly describe our national objective, strategy, and message, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In today’s United States of America, the world acknowledges American’s as the preeminent owner of individual freedoms, holding and promoting these three basic principles for some 240 years. During these years, the U.S. has employed the use of intelligence to shape its objectives and strategies, and then in times of war used the same intelligence to shape strategic messages against foreign powers. However, as hostilities decline and give way to the restoration of relative peace, the use of intelligence for strategic messages against foreign powers ceases. Under these circumstances, the void created by secession of U.S. messages, provides a communication opportunity to foreign powers for transmission of anti-U.S. messages. Attempts have been made to reinstate the offices that during war countered these anti-U.S. messages to a comprehensive reorganization of the U.S Government intelligence community. This paper does not support creation of a new agency or department to utilize existing strategic intelligence.
“Terrorism's particularly heinous but highly attractive means to achieve political objectives or even radically restructure political foundations is manifest within societies in all reaches of the world. While the practical application of terrorist methodologies comes across as a relatively straightforward craft, the conceptual and ideological understanding, and subsequent evaluation of its socio-political influence, implementation, and psychological impacts present difficult questions, and in some cases conceivably insurmountable obstacles” (Romaniuk 2014, para
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 is a 235-page Act of Congress, signed by the president affecting the United States laws of federal terrorism. The titles and subject issues were composed to better enforce the procedures for any future terrorist’s attacks.
By disregarding cues of possible terrorist attacks and constant mistakes within the American Intelligence for not planning ahead, the United States failed to achieve its number one goal as a governing body: not keeping its citizens safe. It is important to dig into the issue of the disaster of 9/11 and completely understand the reason for failed prevention efforts. Moreover adding to these issues was the lack of communication and information shared between the two agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Central Intelligence Agency.
Dahl, E. J. (2004). Warning of Terror: explaining the failure of intelligence against terrorism. The fletcher School. Retrieved Sep 21, 2011, from, .
International intelligence is one the biggest resources we use to fight terrorism in the U.S. Dr. Nora Bensahel,
Intelligence in this day in age is a vital component of a countries security. The newest proposal increases intelligence spending between 2 and 3 billion dollars, a total adding to nearly $35 billion. In addition to military enhancement, the FBI and other law enforcement/intelligence agencies will also be included in this proposal. A new system has been proposed by President Bush that all information be shared among all agencies. DoD, FBI, and the Department of Counterterrorist Center have drawn closer together to create a Terrorist Threat Integration Center to evaluate information blended from all sources associated with terrorism and to act upon those findings accordingly.
They elucidate that terrorism is a “premeditated, politically motivated, violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups of clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience,” (National Institute of Justice).
Kershaw, Sarah. "The Terrorist Mind: An Update." The New York Times. The New York Times,
The first essay question in the final assignment asks students to discuss the capabilities and limitations of intelligence in supporting homeland security efforts. Intelligence matters have greatly improved on this front compared to the way things used to be prior to the September 11th terror attacks, but there are areas that still need to be addressed. The Department of Homeland Security has also helped get information to the field by creating fusion cells, the (JCAT), and encouraging the use of intelligence-based policing.
Terrorism has become a main threat to the peace and development in the U.S and the world as a whole. Past experiences of terrorism such as the September 11th attack in the United States has a created the need to have a functioning counters intelligence which will effectively deal with terrorism. However, for the counter intelligence to be effective, other basic functions have to be played out. The basic functions are collection and analysis. The other function is the execution of covert actions and the major role is the counterintelligence. The Intelligence agents combine all roles and place them under the umbrella of intelligence.
The 9/11 terror attacks is one of the historical and fatal events that changed the United States of America forever, especially in relation to terrorists and terrorism. While these concepts were on the minds of very few people in America's population before the attacks, the 9/11 incident made terrorism to become one of the major concerns for the whole nation. This is despite of the fact that they were carried out in New York City, Washington, and parts of Pennsylvania. Since it was a major concern, the terror attacks dominated all kinds of media and contributed to increased security measures for average Americans. Moreover, terrorism currently provides a major threat to global security that any time in American and global history (Dyson, 2001, p.3). As a result, it has become a fundamental aspect for law enforcement agencies and their initiatives, particularly with the rapid technological advancements.
As terrorist activity increases, insecurity within societies also increases with governments responding by increasing spending on counterterrorism enforcement, national security agencies and the military. This section compares the losses from direct terrorism activity to the costs borne by government in containing and mitigating the potential for terrorist violence.
Paper 1: What are the capabilities and limitations of intelligence in supporting homeland security efforts?