Reflections on Intelligence

by R.V. Jones

Drawing on his long experience in intelligence the author examines the ethical problems that intelligence activity can create. He explores each of the topics under consideration - official secrecy, security, deception, command - in the light of his extensive direct experience in decades when technical developments like radio interception and satellites have revolutionized intelligence-gathering. He proposes a doctrine for the guidance of intelligence officers of "minimum trespass" which parallels the military doctrine of "minimum force". Professor Jones also wrote "Most Secret War", "Future Conflict and New Technology" and "Instruments and Experiences".

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 1989

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the not so well-known follow-up to Most Secret War. It is not a single narrative but is split into three parts; part one is a series of essays on intelligence, part two is a postscript to Most Secret War concerned with loose ends. The last part concerns the authorship of the Oslo Report that was such a vital head start to Jones work in Scientific Intelligence.

Although well-written and full of interesting detail, it isn't an easy book to get hold of; a pity because it is a good deal more opinionated than the first, and is still relevant!