Counterintelligence CI

Counterintelligence A sort of intelligence known as counterintelligence (CI) is tasked with gathering data on espionage and sabotage for the benefit of its state or country. Both modern technology and human resources are used in the procedure. Signal intelligence, geospatial intelligence, and human intelligence are all used in data gathering. Despite the fact that each of the three techniques is necessary for a stronger intelligence body, human intelligence is the most important.

The first methods of gathering intelligence are regarded as moral or just if they are intended to keep the citizens of the state secure and, more importantly, if they are moral in the eyes of the Almighty. CI unit has the powers to do what it takes to collect information from enemy countries more so during a war for the protection of the citizens. During this process, a CI officer may involve himself in unethical practices such as lying, cheating, and blackmail among other actions, but the above are considered ethical due to their necessity for states security. This approach focuses on the greater good and the benefit of the information to a country. However, the unethical actions cannot be morally justified (York, 2014, pp. 21-26).

The second approach of collecting information upholds molarity as their bare minimum. Here unethical methods used in finding intelligence information are highly discouraged and only encourages the use of publicly accessible information. It discourages any covert approaches. The third method is the just war approach; it mainly involves structured reasoning. This method is applicable during a war where an officer can be allowed to embrace covert practices to obtain information from the attacker or enemy combatant. From the above approaches, it is tough to distinguish ethical and unethical practices but based on the allowed approach in the subject state as an officer you are expected to adopt it. But in my opinion, morals should prevail in all the practices thus favouring the second approach.

Role of counterintelligence in preventing terrorism

In my personal opinion, the CI gathers comprehensive information about the enemy such as their number, ability, their strategies, modus operandi, and if they have got any spies within the state. With this knowledge, the state puts up measures to counter the possible terrorist actions that may occur in future. We have the strategic, operational and tactical levels of war which are widely used by the terrorist when planning and executing their projects. CI as a body provides helpful support to all the levels of war against terror. Although the solutions offered by the CI may cover two or more levels, they are distinct because they are prescribed after a deep study of the situation at hand. Therefore it is not easy for the terrorists to succeed in their endeavours (Shultz, 2017, pp. 809-837).

The terrorists also have their intelligence services. Therefore, the counterterrorism body alone is not in a position to overcome terrorism if they face them alone without the help from the CI to combat the intelligence of the terror group as it was the case with countering Russian SVR, the Chinese Ministry of State Security, and other enemies as well. Therefore the integration of counterintelligence and counterterrorism is crucial to the success of the security infrastructure meant to counter terrorism (Intellgence Community Department of Homeland Security Department of Justice, 2017, pp. 23-127).

Conclusion

Counterintelligence plays a critical role in uncovering the covert operations of terror groups which may cause harm to the country. Timely information is required for the proper prevention of terrorist attacks. The intelligence information needs to be shared down to the other departments to prevent any other future attacks from the terror groups. The department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement will profit from the intelligence information.

References

Intellgence Community Department of Homeland Security Department of Justice. (2017). Review of Domestic Sharing of Counterterrorism Information. Washington, DC: Department of JUatice Office of the Inspector General.

Shultz, R. H. (2017). U.S Counterterrorism Operations during the Iraqi War: A Case Study of Task Force 714. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 809-837.

York, B. (2014). United States Counterintelligence. Global Security Studies, 21-26.