Differentiate the Fundamental Capabilities and Limitations of Strategic Intelligence Collection

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION
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Strategic Intelligence Collection
Introduction
Intelligence entails assimilating various data, including information on political, security, social, and economic developments. This information aids in making a profound comprehension of pertinent issues to a state or organization. Intelligence is a significant factor of power. It is also a key component in decision-making regarding public safety, foreign policies, and defense. Generally, intelligence can be described as the process of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating such information and knowledge.[Ransom, Harry H., and Robert W. Pringle. "Intelligence." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed June 16, 2021. /topic/intelligence-international-relations]
Intelligence is a critical tool of power. Nations and organizations are investing heavily in intelligence collection for leverage and a competitive edge. In addition, nations can use it secretively to intervene in fellow organizations or nations' economic and political affairs. This activity is known as "covert affairs." Intelligence is conducted in three categories: strategic, tactical, and counterintelligence. Strategic intelligence is concerned with the capabilities of a nation or organization. This essay incises intelligence and intelligence collection and sheds light on strategic intelligence, capabilities, and limitations.[Ransom, Harry H., and Robert W. Pringle. "Intelligence." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed June 16, 2021. /topic/intelligence-international-relations]
Sources and Collection of Strategic Intelligence
Strategic intelligence provides information necessary for policy formulation and military plans at national and international policy levels. Scholars suggest that intelligence sources are grouped into five major groups:[Kamiński, Mariusz A. "CEEOL - Article Detail." CEEOL. Last modified 2019. /search/article-detail?id=887213]
* Human Intelligence (HUMINT)-This entails gathering knowledge through witnesses or suspects' interviews by state agents. It can also be conducted through covert means (espionage). Secret agents, spies, and informers conduct espionage. HUMINT involves knowledge gathering from humans.
* Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) - This source entails visual representation and analysis of activities concerning security on earth. It is gathered from the integration of geospatial information and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT). IMINT involves the collection of data through images and photographs.
* Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) – SIGINT involves the collection and interception of electronic transmissions. It includes codebreaking and electronic eavesdropping. For instance, the Snowden revelations of 2013 exposed that the USA's National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting a surveillance program of American telephone records.[BBC News. "NSA Surveillance Exposed by Snowden Ruled Unlawful." BBC News. Last modified September 3, 2020. /news/technology-54013527]
* Open Sources Intelligence (OSINT) – This refers to a broad array of available sources of information such as the media, professional records, and public data like government reports. Information from OSINT is readily available and easily accessible. However, a significant disadvantage is that information from this source is not ready to use and requires immense analysis and verification.
* Measurement and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT) – This source concerns industrial activities and weapons capabilities. It relies on other forms of intelligence like SIGINT and IMINT to collect electronic emissions and data from tracking and weapon systems.
Importance of Strategic Intelligence
Strategic Intelligence is highly valued by decision and policymakers. It plays a crucial role in organizational, managerial, and administrative purposes. Moreover, it is highly revered because it contributes significantly to a country's national security and policymaking. Below is some importance of Strategic intelligence:
Strategic Intelligence provides foresight. It enables leaders to comprehend trends that present opportunities or threats for an organization or state. For example, when Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, observed that their undergarments were sweaty and uncomfortable during practice, they imagined an undergarment lighter and dried faster. Kevin used strategic intelligence and saw the opportunity to provide a solution to the wet and heavy t-shirts they wore.[Levine, Sheen S., Mark Bernard, and Rosemarie Nagel. "Strategic Intelligence: The Cognitive Capability to Anticipate Competitor Behavior." Wiley Online Library. Last modified March 30, 2017. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/smj.2660]
It provides a clear vision. A leader can ideally conceptualize a future state that is ideal and also engage others to implement it. Scholars recommend that company management encourage their employees to anticipate changes in their work environment. Further, this will help employees predict future changes and equip them with the necessary skills to prepare to face future challenges.[Abuktaish, Khaled, and Shaker J. Alkshali. "The Effect of Strategic Intelligence on Competitive Advantage in Jordanian Extractive and Mining Companies." European Journal of Scientific Research. Last modified November 3, 2020. /issues/PDF/EJSR_157_3_05.pdf]
It facilitates systematic thinking. Here, it enables a leader to perceive, analyze and combine elements to serve a single purpose. For example, a recent study examined how managers drafted plans for improving performance and were conclusively convinced that strategic intelligence was the core of formulating these plans. Eventually, strategic intelligence enabled the managers to guide their organizations through fast-changing environments and gave them a competitive edge and top-notch service to their clients and community.[Kirilov, Iglika. "Strategic Intelligence Strategies for Improving Performance in the Nonprofit Sector." ScholarWorks. Last modified 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7104/]
Strategic intelligence helps motivate different people to unite to implement a common purpose. Previous studies have found a significant positive relationship between strategic intelligence and organizational development. Furthermore, this study further confirms that organizations monitor their environment constantly to note existing opportunities and threats.[Baei, Fahime, Masoud Ahmadi, Neda A. Malafeh, and Abbasali Baee. "The Relationship Between Manager’s Strategic Intelligence and Organization Development in Governmental Agencies in Iran (Case Study: Office of Cooperatives Labor and Social Welfare)." Economics and Finance Research | IDEAS/RePEc. Last modified February 2, 2017. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eco/journ3/2017-02-37.html]
Fundamental Capabilities of Strategic Intelligence
The condition of a nation’s economy is significant to its political turn of events, tactical strength, and the lead of its political strategy. For this reason, governments direct their full support behind their intelligence services. They do this to achieve set agendas and support diplomatic initiatives. This signals that strategic intelligence is powerful and essential for change and show of might.[Ransom, Harry H., and Robert W. Pringle. "Intelligence." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed June 16, 2021. /topic/intelligence-international-relations]
New technologies can assist in automating, expand and enhance the process of intelligence processing. Research shows that the integration of human evaluation and computational power creates a powerful tool that can be used to identify emerging patterns. Furthermore, it concludes that strategic intelligence is more successful when both internal (institutional) and external (politics and policy) factors integrate and progress. In addition to that, institutional factors that should be improved include training, organizational culture, technological issues, education, an...