The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence

by Loch K. Johnson (Editor)

The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence is a state-of-the-art work on intelligence and national security. Edited by Loch Johnson, one of the world's leading authorities on the subject, the handbook examines the topic in full, beginning with an examination of the major theories of intelligence. It then shifts its focus to how intelligence agencies operate, how they collect information from around the world, the problems that come with transforming "raw" information into credible analysis, and the difficulties in disseminating intelligence to policymakers. It also considers the balance between secrecy and public accountability, and the ethical dilemmas that covert and counterintelligence operations routinely present to intelligence agencies. Throughout, contributors factor in broader historical and political contexts that are integral to understanding how intelligence agencies function in our information-dominated age.

The book is organized into the following sections: theories and methods of intelligence studies; historical background; the collection and processing of intelligence; the analysis and production of intelligence; the challenges of intelligence dissemination; counterintelligence and counterterrorism; covert action; intelligence and accountability; and strategic intelligence in other nations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

912 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2010

Reviews

[Vincent Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence is a comprehensive guide to national intelligence and security, examining the major theories of intelligence. For an intelligence operative, it is an invaluable resource on how intelligence agencies operate, how they collect information from around the world, the problems that come with transforming raw information into credible analysis, and the difficulties in disseminating intelligence to policymakers. For the uninitiated to the world of (national) state secrets, it provides an insight into the balance between secrecy and public accountability, and the ethical dilemmas that covert and counterintelligence operations routinely present to intelligence agencies. Thus, for a thriller or mystery writer, it is a resource one wouldn't want to miss to have on their shelf as it provides a broader historical and political context that is integral to understanding how intelligence agencies function in our information-dominated age since to write credible stories you need to get the facts right.

The book is organized into:

a. theories and methods of intelligence studies;

b. historical background;

c. the collection and processing of intelligence;

d. the analysis and production of intelligence;

e. the challenges of intelligence dissemination;

f. counterintelligence and counterterrorism;

g. covert action;

h. intelligence and accountability; and

i. strategic intelligence in other nations.

It is worthwhile reading to understand intelligence and its role in International Relations.

[teohjitkhiam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers a large swathe of issues apart from espionage, including moral/ethical perspectives to discussion on covert action and constitutional/legal aspects pertaining to intelligence-gathering & -dissemination. The preponderance of the book is focused on national intelligence issues, covering some history and the contemporaneous from a mainly Western perspective, in great particular the U.S. and to a lesser degree U.K. Although the last few chapters do discuss German, Australian, Russian, and Israeli intelligence. Those seeking Bond-like topics would be sorely disappointed whereas Smiley occasionally peers from the pages, contemplating the non-intelligence layperson perusing this book. In closing, this handbook is strictly recommended for those keen on intelligence studies.