Writing for IntelAlt Analysis

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

This course explores the means by which the United States Intelligence Community aims at objectivity and speaking truth to power but can fall victim to politics, bias, and intelligence failures. The course will examine how the Intelligence Community interfaces with the National Security Council in the cycle whereby policy drives requirements and collection can drive policy. Students will explore how the collection, processing, and dissemination of raw intelligence can allow for subjective interpretations. Using case studies and practical exercises, students will work to identify what leads to groupthink and encourages risk aversion and consider practices that enable analytical creativity that nurtures innovation. The case studies include Team B and the Missile Gap; the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq; and the 2014 rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Armed with a fundamental understanding of analytical processes, tools, and methodologies, and enlightened through the lessons derived from their case studies, Students will take on contemporary issues. Playing roles from among the USIC stakeholders, students will participate in analytical exercises to examine America’s South Asia Strategy and ultimately Iran. This final exercise requires students to outline the issues and provide recommended courses of action concerning Iran which can be discussed in a simulated NSC Principals Committee meeting and ultimately briefed to the President. A special guest will play the role of the National Security Advisor at the NSC meeting. Another will serve as the President who they will ultimately need to brief and convince. Throughout the course, students will gain practical experience by providing a brief, weekly Note to Briefer highlighting a significant international development. Learning points include highlighting both the deliberate and unintentional factors innate to the fundamentals of intelligence collection, processing, and analysis which allows for subjective interpretations. Students will gain an understanding of the mechanisms available for holistic approaches and alternative analysis and likewise, the pressures which challenge objectivity and independence.