Need for Intelligence and counterintelligence: Challenges

Need for Intelligence and Counterintelligence: Challenges and Future Preview
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Abstract
The need for intelligence and counterintelligence has gained popularity over the recent past following the rampant terrorist attacks in many countries, although intelligence gathering is a practice that has been in play for centuries. This paper examines this need with a special focus on the challenges encountered by the intelligence community in intelligence and counterintelligence gathering. The key challenges identified include technological, financial, and organizational. Also, the phenomenon of the lone wolf in recent terrorist attacks has been identified as an emerging challenge in intelligence gathering. The paper also presents a preview into the future of intelligence and counterintelligence based on the findings from the systematic review of research articles on the issue.
Need for Intelligence and Counterintelligence: Challenges and Future Preview
Introduction
The need for intelligence and counterintelligence has been raised every time a country experiences a threat to its national security, whether through terrorism or war. Often, the intelligence community is expected to have foreseen and prevented such attacks since the role of intelligence and counterintelligence is to collect and analyze information so as to detect and prevent threats to national security. Intelligence and counterintelligence have a long history as they have been used by states and organizations as a source of power over the enemy. At the state level, intelligence and counterintelligence activities have been used to protect national security and save lives. For instance, the United States (US) benefited greatly from intelligence and counterintelligence during the cold war. While intelligence and counterintelligence have been in play for many centuries, different states have made various reforms to ensure that their intelligence and counterintelligence activities align with current threats to national security and the safety of their citizens. The role of intelligence and counterintelligence is crucial and as indicated by Mandel and Irwin (2020), it ensures that decision-makers can make decisions with as little uncertainty as possible. Intelligence gathering also facilitates investigative activities especially when a nation is faced with threats to the critical infrastructure, terrorism, or espionage among others.
Despite the need for intelligence and counterintelligence, there are some key challenges that the intelligence community faces daily. Intelligence and counterintelligence relies a lot on implied or suggested knowledge (Nolan, 2018), thus overwhelming individuals in the intelligence community as they try to perform their role. Also, intelligence work requires a high level of secrecy to preserve covert assets and protect the members of the intelligence community. Therefore, the need for intelligence and counterintelligence is accompanied by its share of equally significant challenges.
Problem Statement
While many states acknowledge the need for intelligence and counterintelligence, many are still facing a mountain of challenges that need to be addressed. Gaitan (2017) reveals that intelligence and coun...