There are a limited number of intelligence analysis books available on the market. Intelligence Analysis Fundamentals is an introductory, accessible text for college level undergraduate and graduate level courses. While the principles outlined in the book largely follow military intelligence terminology and practice, concepts are presented to correlate with intelligence gathering and analysis performed in law enforcement, homeland security, and corporate and business security roles. Most of the existing texts on intelligence gathering and analysis focus on specific types of intelligence such as ‘target centric’ intelligence, and many of these, detail information from a position of prior knowledge. In other words, they are most valuable to the consumer who has a working-level knowledge of the subject.
The book is general enough in nature that a lay student—interested in pursuing a career in intelligence, Homeland Security, or other related areas of law enforcement—will benefit from it. No prior knowledge of intelligence analysis, functions, or operations is assumed. Chapters illustrate methods and techniques that, over the years, have consistently demonstrate results, superior to those achieved with other means. Chapters describe such analytical methods that are most widely used in the intelligence community and serve as recognized standards and benchmarks in the practice of intelligence analysis. All techniques have been selected for inclusion for their specific application to homeland security, criminal investigations, and intelligence operations.
- Uses numerous hands-on activities—that can easily be modified by instructors to be more or less challenging depending on the course level—to reinforce concepts
- As current and active members of the intelligence community, the authors draw on their decades of experience in intelligence to offer real-world examples to illustrate concepts
- All methodologies reflect the latest trends in the intelligence communities assessment, analysis, and reporting processes with all presented being open source, non-classified information
- As such, the non-sensitive information presented is appropriate—and methods applicable—for use for education and training overseas and internationally
- Military-style collection and analysis methods are the primary ones presented, but all are directly correlated intelligence to current concepts, functions and practices within Homeland Security and the law communities
- Covers the counterterrorism environment where joint operations and investigative efforts combine military, private sector, and law enforcement action and information sharing
The book will be a welcome addition to the body of literature available and a widely used reference for professionals and students alike.
Table of Contents:
1. Defining Intelligence Analysis 2. The Intelligence Cycle 3. Thinking About Thinking 4. Perception and Deception 5. Knowing Your Audience 6. Analytical Communication 7. Defining the Problem 8. Generating the Hypothesis 9. The Collection Process 10. Analytical Tradecraft 11. Cognitive Traps for Intelligence Analysis 12. Probability Estimation 13. Creating an Analytical Plan 14. Preparing and Conducting Intelligence Briefings 15. Best Practices 16. Operations Security OPSEC
About the Author :
Dr. Godfrey Garner is a professor at Mississippi College and adjunct professor at Tulane University, teaching Counterterrorism and Intelligence Analysis for the Homeland Security degree programs. Dr. Garner is Director for Mississippi College Center for Counterterror Studies and is a locally recognized authority on terrorism, counterterrorism and conflicts in the Middle East. His work has appeared in Homeland Security Today, Journal of American Diplomacy and Foreign Policy Journal. He is the author of the novels The Balance of Exodus, Danny Kane and the Hunt for Mullah Omar and Clothed in White Raiment. He served in Viet Nam and Afghanistan and completed two military and eight civilian government, intelligence and counterintelligence related tours in Afghanistan.
Patrick McGlynn is a retired Army Intelligence Officer. He has authored multiple authoritative strategic-level intelligence reports addressing terrorism, irregular warfare, WMD, and information operations (IO). His military career has included assignments with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), military and civilian contractor tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and other Middle East locations serving in various senior theatre-level staff intelligence positions. Since retiring from the military in 2007, Mr. McGlynn has authored technical papers on targeting, articles for various intelligence professional periodicals and has developed analytical training courses for Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), Counter Insurgency Operation (COIN), Analytical Tradecraft, Terrorism, Information Operations, Collection Management, and Network Analysis. Patrick McGlynn has a Masters in Adult Education and Industrial Technology from Georgia Southern University.
