Analyzing Intelligence: National Security Practitioners' Perspectives

by Roger Z. George (Contributor)

Analyzing Intelligence , now in a revised and extensively updated second edition, assesses the state of the profession of intelligence analysis from the practitioners point of view. The contributors―most of whom have held senior positions in the US intelligence community―review the evolution of the field, the rise of new challenges, pitfalls in analysis, and the lessons from new training and techniques designed to deal with 21st century national security problems. This second edition updates this indispensable book with new chapters that highlight advances in applying more analytic rigor to analysis, along with expertise-building, training, and professional development. New chapters by practitioners broaden the original volume's discussion of the analyst-policymaker relationship by addressing analytic support to the military customer as well as by demonstrating how structured analysis can benefit military commanders on the battlefield.

Analyzing Intelligence is written for national security practitioners such as producers and users of intelligence, as well as for scholars and students seeking to understand the nature and role of intelligence analysis, its strengths and weaknesses, and steps that can improve it and lead it to a more recognizable profession.

The most comprehensive and up-to-date volume on professional intelligence analysis as practiced in the US Government, Analyzing Intelligence is essential reading for practitioners and users of intelligence analysis, as well as for students and scholars in security studies and related fields.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2014

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little dry,as one might expect, but I learned some things I think I can put into action. Particularly valuable to me was the list of who to blame for bad assessments based on the circumstances. Too many people use intel as a scapegoat for bad decisions!

[dejah_thoris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Textbook for the first half of my intelligence vulnerabilities course. Not terrible but a bit dry. Lots of emphasis on professionalization of the profession through structured training.