Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Write a 6 page paper that is broken down into 3 sections (each section should have at least two pages addressing the issues):
Section 1 – Topic Discussion and Background
1. Concisely describe and define a problem scenario that could benefit from Human Intelligence (HUMINT) intervention.
2. Explain why you selected this particular problem.
3. Review historical background and pertinent intelligence issues that relate to the problem.
4. Briefly describe how Human Intelligence is likely to offer an effective solution to the problem.
Note(s):
(1) Due to security and operationally sensitivity issues, it is not advised to select or examine one's own organization for the essay paper, particularly for those students associated with intelligence organizations. It is left to the student's discretion to consider these security implications when selecting a topic.
The following are a few examples of potential subjects that might be developed into a valid project topic:
� Street Gangs (focus on a specific gang culture or group).
� Detainees/Prisoners of War (focus on a specific conflict area).
� Sleeper Cells (focus on a specific terrorist organization or terrorist).
� Governmental Leaders (focus on a specific country/region/group).
� Corporate Secrets (focus on a specific business/individual).
� Organized Crime (focus on a specific organization/individual).
� Counter-narcotics (focus on a specific area and/or drug dealer).
� Enemy Sympathizers (focus on a specific conflict area or situation).
� Noncombatants/Civilians on the Battlefield (focus on a specific area or situation).
(2) When developing the topic, and while writing the paper, one should consider themselves as being in a position of adequate stature so that the recommendations and observations made in this project paper will be considered. Caution should be given so as not to select a topic that might be too broad in scope (i.e. generic counter-drug operations) in order to provide the focused examination required of this essay paper. Include peer-reviewed references that contribute to the substance of the paper, and support the topic thesis.
Section 2 – Organization and Mission
1. Specifically identify the HUMINT organization that is chartered for and capable of conducting intelligence operations to correct the problem identified in Part 1 of this project.
2. Include a concise mission statement that defines the objectives and parameters that the organization will operate under.
3. Describe the participants you expect will be involved in the mission (both friendly and adversarial).
Note(s):
(1) The organization selected to intervene in your selected problem can be real or fictional. In either case, you should provide specific details as to the organizational arm chartered to execute the mission. Remember: the objective is to alleviate the problem through HUMINT means, so carefully select or create an organization capable of doing so. Include peer-reviewed references that contribute to the substance of the paper, and support the topic thesis.
Section 3 – Operations and Activities
1. Concisely describe a scenario in which your organization will execute a specific HUMINT operation from beginning to completion.
2. Explain the various HUMINT activities (i.e. interrogation, debriefing, dead drops, surveillance, etc.) that your organization might engage in while executing the operation.
3. Identify issues that will require coordination with external agencies.
Note(s):
(1) Cover, Communications, and Security planning should be integral to this portion of the course project. The scenario that you develop, as well as the operation and activities engaged in should fall within the charter of the selected organization from Part 2. Include peer-reviewed references that contribute to the substance of the paper, and support the topic thesis.
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Student's name
Institutional affiliation
Date
HUMINT is an excellent contribution to gathering relevant data in several activities. Its operators have access to data that cannot be obtained through other ways. Using individuals as a source of data necessitates a particular ability. While it is not efficient as other intelligence regulations, it does provide access to data that might be useful. Due to the covert nature of the Sinaloa Cartel's operations, the war on drugs, for example, may substantially benefit from the use of HUMINT gathering. The Sinaloa Cartel hires people from within the United States, making more challenging targeted collection through other intelligence disciplines. By generating new entry tips in the Cartel's supply chain, which the DEA may later develop, HUMINT gathering can be a helpful instrument in the battle against narcotics.
Problem Scenario
HUMINT might help the U.S. fight drug trafficking. The Sinaloa in Mexico, in particular, is the earliest and most developed of the DTOs that the U.S. fights in the drug war. Even though Joaquin "El Chapo" has been caught and incarcerated in the U.S, Sinaloa still maintains a stronghold as a main DTO, regardless of internal difficulties and management pressure..[McDermott, W. T. DEA State Reciprocity. 2020]
DTOs from Mexico, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, have significant clout in several U.S. cities, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago. The Sinaloa Cartel uses intimidation, bribery, and other forms of coercion to influence people. Because of the developed corporation and networks on sides of the Mexican-American border, narcotics may be transported more readily in these U.S. hub cities. The majority of these narcotics are transported across the border through border crossing points and complex underground networks that are difficult to detect.
Why the Particular Problem?
Due to the secretive condition of the Cartel's activities and organizational arrangement, this issue would benefit from HUMINT deployment. Using HUMINT, it may be feasible to expose corrupt government officials and people and learn more quickly about entry points to underground tunnels. While other intelligence regulations are used, HUMINT would provide up-to-date and actionable intellect.[Ibid 1]
Historical Background in Relation to the Problem
The Mexican government has a long history of corruption, hindering any HUMINT efforts against the Sinaloa Cartel. As a result of jurisdictional concerns and a lack of collaboration between tribal law enforcement agencies and federal states, the use of ethnic lands along the Southwest Border to transport narcotics is a setback. Because of this lack of collaboration, there are blind areas where criminals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel may be captured and interrogated. Another intelligence challenge relating to the topic is the Sinaloa Cartel's existing organizational structure and leadership.. The cartel is currently split into two sections, one commanded by Garcia, dubbed "El Mayo," and the other by El Chapo's offspring, dubbed "Los Chapitos."[The Merida Initiative. 2018.]
Effective Solution
Human Intelligence can open up new routes into the Sinaloa Cartel's drug distribution network. It offers the possibility of intercepting consignments of illicit cargo throughout the supply sequence and apprehending the heads of cells operating inside the U.S by locating and utilizing sources. HUMINT would also help the American and Mexican governments identify wrongdoing. HUMINT might be specifically beneficial in obtaining data from cartel members who are hesitant to cooperate. There are several prospective sources in or coming from the Sinaloa area and many of the central hub cities in the United States due to the enormous number of individuals being forced into aiding the cartel.[Ibid 3]
Section 2: Dea
Chartered Organization
The DEA is in charge of anti-narcotics operations and has complete HUMINT capabilities against the Sinaloa Cartel. The DEA is in charge of tracking, seizing, and gathering intelligence on suspected unlawful shipments and traffickers. They can also collaborate with drug enforcement authorities in other nations and international organizations like Interpol. As a result, the DEA can work with the Mexican authorities and government to gather HUMINT both in U.S and Mexico. The DEA formerly financed Operation Knight Moves, which included human "gathering of intelligence on the smuggling, transit, and crossing of drugs across Mexico and along the Southwest Border," as well as various other HUMINT activities.[Vignettes, Mario. "Mexico's Intelligence Community: A Critical Description." International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence 32, no. 2 (2019): 295–321]
Mission Statement
"The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the United States controlled substances laws and regulations and to bring those organizations and principal participants of organizations involved in the manufacturing, growing or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or fated for illegal traffic in the United States to the criminal and civil justice systems of the United States, or any other proficient...