Intelligence and National Security
Description
Intelligence is an integral part of the national security enterprise and it is no exaggeration to say that it is impossible to understand the objectives, priorities, approaches, and instruments of American foreign policy without understanding the roles and limitations of intelligence. Intelligence—both information and insights derived from publicly available and clandestinely acquired information—seldom drives policy decisions but it often shapes debate and decisions. This course examines roles, missions, and methods of the US Intelligence Community, and how intelligence professionals, primarily analysts, interact with national decision makers.
Topics include
- How intelligence has been used by U.S. presidents to become what it is today
- How intelligence is monitored and held accountable to the goals of a democratic society
- Organizational strengths and weaknesses
- Successes and failures
- Current intelligence analyses and national intelligence estimates