Implications of an Intelligence Success or Failure - Assignment Example

? Implications of an Intelligence Success or Failure of the of the Implications of an Intelligence Success or Failure Introduction Scope and Focus The role of intelligence agencies of any country is utmost important in terms of planning, carry out campaigns and conduct major operations to achieve strategic objectives within operational ambit. The country’s success and failures are heavily dependent on its role. Its responsibilities are multidimensional. Tactical intelligence is vital in terms of planning and conducting domestic military operations in the grey areas. Its information relates to enemy would be of great help to locate the enemy and to decide which tactics and weapons when properly uses, would be instrumental in winning war against the enemy in an specific area (Richelson, 1995). The intelligence agency shoulders three sorts of intelligence task. As a first step, it is to gather material information for assessment. The second step is to examine the enemy’s capabilities, nefarious designs against the country. Accordingly take measures to respond internal and external threats. The third step of this process requires production and dissemination. On the basis of gathered information and analysis, the cited agency enables to compose finished intelligence reports for the perusal of military and civilian incumbents.  The primary responsibility of an intelligence officer is to make decision and to take action accordingly. Intelligence officers have to work closely with the policy makers and armed forces to get the job done in an effective way (Richelson, 1995). Discussion Success of USA Intelligence Soon after the Second World War, the then President of USA Mr. Truman specifically focused on Defense and Intelligence Agencies to enhance its capabilities to combat with the increasing menace of Communism and the survival of free civilization ("Senate select intelligence," 1976). At that time, the President of USA and his aides were very much concerned about the capability and the capacity of their defense and intelligence institutions to cope with ugly circumstances. By reshaping its defense and intelligence agencies, they intend to gain their control on foreign lands. The time has proved that. The mentioned institutions played decisive role in creating the hegemony of America all over the world. If we go by the memory lane, we find noticeable success of USA. Few of them are end of Cold War era, Soviet collapse, Gulf War, overthrown unpopular regimes in Iraq, Egypt and Libya, targeting and netting most wanted terrorist of the world including Osama Bin Laden besides tracking down Lockerbie shooters from Libyan territory (Zegart, 2005). Intervention of American CIA in Chile The role of American Intelligence Agencies from intervention to overthrown of hostile governments are not hidden from any one. Americans do not compromise at the cost of American interest, be it Chile or any other country of the globe. How the Chilean people forgot the American intervention in their country during the Presidency of Mr. Ford. The intervention came in the month of September 1974, apparently to keep intact freedom of print and electronic media besides protection of democratic rights of the political parties in the best interest of the American and the Chilean people ("Senate select intelligence," 1976). Later on, the Senate committee justified the cited direct action of the American Intelligence Agency in which an elected government of Marxist President Salvador was toppled. The intrusion of CIA lasted more than a decade in Chile, costing around USD 13million to the exchequer of USA ("Senate select intelligence," 1976). Impact of Success of Intelligence Agencies of USA The success of intelligence agencies of USA in different parts of the world makes the United States of America an apex power of the World. Political abuses of American FBI The historical perspective of political abuse of FBI is multidimensional. The first one is the subservience of President and its associates, ready to comply with the White House instructions without question. At the time of Mr. Patrick Gray, who was acting Director of FBI, burnt secret official documents relating to Watergate Scandal to ashes with the plea that it is an established practice? Hence, investigation on this count would bear no fruit. The other side was volunteering political intelligence to its higher echelon without any specific request from them. The last step is the determination of historical dimension of FBI's concerted efforts aims at to promote its image in the eyes of public of the world and disregard the allegations of its critics (Zegart, 2005). In the remote past President Franklin’s bidding was occurred. At that time bureau complied with the request to check open files and enquire about the authenticity of hundred of persons who sent telegrams to the President containing their displeasure about the policies of national defense ("Senate select intelligence," 1976). Another example of this sort comes to surface in the recent years, when Maj. Gen. Harry, who disclosed that President Roosevelt had ordered to tape home telephones of his closest associates. Shortly after taken over the charge of President by Mr. Truman, someone presented said General transcripts of wiretaps of the close aides of Mr. Roosevelt. On receipt of mentioned transcripts, the Truman remarked “I don't have time for that foolishness” ("Senate select intelligence," 1976). Failure of USA Intelligence The failure of American CIA gave birth to a series of crises from collapse of USSR to the end of Iraq war. The American CIA attributed its failure to the political pressure. The most damaging affects on the creditability of the intelligence agency its failure to timely inform the given attacks. It speaks of intelligence deficiencies. The Japanese attack on 7th December 1941 on Pearl Harbor, attacks on June 22 1941 on USSR and the Egyptian-Syrian attack on Israel without warning (Hansen, 2002). In the year 1995 it was planned to hijack American Airliners and crash them on the strategic assets of United States of America. It was not unfolded to CIA and the FBI before the tragic incident of 9/11 happened. The above incident put mentioned agencies in a state of despair. Some experts call it a worst intelligence failure in the history of United States of America. Others were of the view that spy agencies had no access to detect and prevent multifaceted international conspiracy. This compelled the law makers for a major shake up in the mentioned agencies. Some were of the considered opinion that change of top slots would be in effective to deal with the situation around the corner. In the opinion of general public it amounts to breach of traditional barriers between criminal investigations and intelligence gathering. Moreover it will lead to curtailment of civil liberties. For many years American Intelligence Agencies could not find the whereabouts of Osama bin laden, who was accused of masterminding September 11 attacks, in spite of a handsome reward of USD 25 million as his head money (Hansen, 2002). The suspects of Al Qaeda had to face the wrath of American administration. Their agencies hooked up the suspects wherever they were found and transferred them to infamous prison called Guantanamo Bay for investigation for their alleged misdeeds of killing 3000 American Nationals and the destruction of World Trade Center and Pentagon (Hansen, 2002). There were heated debates in the American Electronic and Print Medias on the failure of known intelligence agencies. However, experts supported their agencies despite their failure of advance warning about the cited attacks on the plea that the agencies in question had no realistic way of predicting the expected attacks (Hansen, 2002). Contrary to that Mr. John E. Pike, director of Global Security Organization was of the view that since proposed attacks was planned in the year 1995 therefore; agencies had to plan to thwart the action of terrorist. This speaks intelligence deficiencies (Hansen, 2002). Impact of Failure of USA Intelligence Agencies The 9/11 attack on Trade Centre and Pentagon raised many eyebrows on the competency, capability and the capacity of American intelligence agencies. The people of America lost their faith in the supposedly well knitted American spy network worldwide. The agencies who miserably failed to track the terrorists. They could not share information with the American Administration and the friendly intelligence agencies about the nefarious designs of terrorists, well before the gory incident that took place on 9/11 (Zegart, 2005). Another example of loosing Vietnam War by the Americans due to failure of American Intelligence Agencies who could not measure the actual strength of Vietnamese. Had they measured it accurately, the Vietnam War could be averted that led to mass destruction of properties and claimed lives of thousands of innocent peoples. The Vietnam War brought bad name to the apex power of the world (Zegart, 2005). Functional Responsibilities of Prominent Intelligence Agencies of USA Air force Intelligence Agency: The Air force intelligence agency provides expertise in warfare information, command and control warfare, security, foreign weaponry systems and technology (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Army Intelligence: It exchanges information with the remaining agencies. However, its main focus on military based warfare. The resources are not just used during war. It stop potential threats to keep peace grow (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Central Intelligence Agency: The Central Intelligence Agency is well known to the world. It gathers intelligence data. On the basis of which it takes action with the concurrence of the President (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Defense Intelligence Agency: The said agency is responsible to provide military intelligence amongst war fighters, policymakers, and force planners (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Federal Bureau of Investigation: The defined responsibility of FBI to protect and to defend the United States against terrorism and external threats to enforce criminal laws of the United States of America (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Naval Intelligence: Naval Intelligence agency helps USA in supporting its armed forces. Its Mission statement is to train and equip naval forces for effectively handle war like situation and ensure freedom of its coastal areas (Gill & Phythian, 2006). Flawed or Misleading Information by the American Intelligence Agencies Until the end of Second World War and the start of Cold War, effective role of American Intelligence is undeniable. The massive intelligence agency failure comes to light on 9/11. To wage war against Iraq, the American Intelligence Agency hatched misleading information about acquiring weapons of mass destruction by the then government of Saddam Hussein which later on proved wrong (“Congressional Oversight”, 2013). Prior to 1970, there was no concern shown by the congressional committee on the performance of intelligence agency. In order to get the desired results from these agencies, congress insisted upon its role as regulator to monitor the activities of Intelligence agencies. Had the Intelligence agencies informed the then President of America about noticeable change in the existing relationship of the two countries (America and Iran), the situation would have been quite different as we witness today (“Congressional Oversight”, 2013). The American and the Iranian relationship left the intelligence agency in a state of shock since a system that had carefully and laboriously been structured fell like a house of cards. What had gone wrong needs to be put on the right track (Reference may please be made to “The Iran-contra Affair”)? (“Congressional report”, 2004) The inquiry in respect of 9/11 proved the absence of material information in the possession of intelligence agencies. If said agencies had reliable information with regard to 9/11 attacks, advance warning about the attacks on strategic locations could be shared with the armed forces to avert attacks in order to ensure safety and security of assets in question. The facts surrounding September 11 attacks unfold the importance of strengthening Intelligence agencies of United States of America and the Intelligence Community alike. To deter terrorist and to keep an arm’s distance from terrorist activities, it is incumbent upon the government of America and the respective governments of intelligence communities to make their policies foul proof, comprehensive to meet future eventualities (“Congressional report”, 2004). Conclusion The success and failures of American Intelligence Agencies are crystal clear. Their latest move to find out Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan proved successful. This has endorsed the efficiencies of its spy agencies. On the other hand it miserably failed to prove that Iraq discreetly made horrible chemical weapons of mass destructions under the Presidency of Mr. Saddam Husain that caused war against Iraq by the allied forces. Recent example of its failure comes to light when they failed to provide concrete evidence about the nuclear capability of Iran. The recent report against Iran was controversial, hence intelligence agencies bound to revisit their earlier stance. With the emergence of new facts against Iran, there is all the chances that America or Israel may strike Iran‘s nuclear installations. It would be in anticipation to say what would be the reaction of Iran and the rest of the World if mentioned countries destroy the nuclear capabilities of Iran without solid proof. References Congressional oversight: Intelligence community. (2013). Guide to Congress (7th ed., Vol. 1). Washington, DC: CQ Press. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/congress/g2c7e1-1396-79092-2489257 Congressional report on September 11 terrorist attacks: “Joint inquiry into intelligence community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001”. (2004). Historic documents of 2003. Washington, DC: CQ Press. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqpac/hsdcp03-229-9913-639342 Gill, P., & Phythian, M. (2006). Intelligence in an insecure world. Polity. Hansen, B. (2002, January 25). Intelligence reforms. CQ Researcher, 12, 49-72. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/ Richelson, J. (1995). The US intelligence community (p. 30). Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Senate Select Intelligence Committee staff reports: Political abuses of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; covert action in Chile by the Central Intelligence Agency. (1976). Historic documents of 1975. Washington, DC: CQ Press. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqpac/hsdc75-0001221803 Zegart, A. B. (2005). September 11 and the adaptation failure of US intelligence agencies. International Security, 29(4), 78-111. Read More