The role of intelligence in countering terrorism and insurgency

Abstract

Operations to counter terrorism and insurgency depend largely on timely accurate intelligence. In order to gain such intelligence it is essential that the various intelligence agencies co-operate effectively irrespective of which objectives of government they serve. This is true of international intelligence co-operation between democratic states as well. Institutions and media aiming to maintain democratic freedoms tend to be critical over intelligence collection methods, but it is of prime importance that it does not lead to the handicapping of intelligence agencies in such a way that it makes them ineffective.