US Intelligence and Al Qaeda: Analysis by Contrasting Narratives

About the Book

This book sets out a new analytic methodology: analysis by contrasting narratives (ACN), which states that defining an enemy and attempting to counter threats can contribute to the manifestation of that threat. Peter de Werd applies ACN to the problem the US faced in understanding and responding to the phenomenon of Al Qaeda in the 1990s. He demonstrates how this approach can fill a gap in intelligence studies by enhancing the understanding of complex intelligence problems and strengthening the practice of intelligence analysis. Adopting a reflexivist theoretical stance, the book underlines the importance of an integrated approach to interpretation and action, and of a continuous dialogue between intelligence and policy.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: on intelligence 1. ACN: Theory, methodology, method, and object of research From discourse to narratives Power, ideology, and difference Securitization ACN: from methodology to method The complex intelligence problem of Al Qaeda 2. Al Qaeda narrative Introduction Bin Laden’s base Shapes of Al Qaeda Bin Laden’s speech in 1996 World Islamic Front declaration 1998 Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and US missile strikes The foiled millennium plots The USS Cole Securitization, power, and identity in the Al Qaeda narrative Reflection 3. US institutional terrorism narrative on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda Introduction Early efforts to put Bin Laden on the national security agenda US Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania Managing the threat of terrorism The attack on the USS Cole Power, securitization, and identity in the US institutional terrorism narrative Reflection 4. Critical terrorism narrative Introduction Bin Laden: extremist or businessman? Bin Laden as a wedge Disagreement among followers Pragmatism: shifting focus The dust of the attacks on US Embassies in Africa and Arab fury Critique on US framings, sanctions and missile strikes The murderous attempted sinking of the USS Cole Critiquing US and Al Qaeda securitization efforts Reflection 5. Conclusion Introduction Analysis by Contrasting Narratives ACN: a contribution to intelligence studies Reflexivism and critical intelligence studies Selected bibliography

About the Author :
Peter de Werd is Assistant Professor of Intelligence and Security at the Netherlands Defence Academy in Breda.

Review :
This highly ambitious and deeply impressive book sets out a new analytic methodology. It links debates in Security Studies and Intelligence Studies and represents a major statement (indeed, one of the major statements to date) in the development of a Critical Intelligence Studies, understood as a comparable approach to intelligence as those of Critical Security Studies and Critical Terrorism Studies in their respective fields. In its careful exposition of the ACN methodology via the al Qaeda case studies and in its reflection on the professional and academic relevance and utility of this approach, US Intelligence and Al Qaeda represents a significant contribution to the Intelligence Studies literature.