Understanding Intelligence Operations

Hold on, this can be messy.

Intelligence is the application of information to decision-making/policy.  Many of the things characterized as intelligence are really information sources or information acquisition methodologies. It is a bit of a fine technical distinction that is often dismissed as semantics. The discussion can be a bit messy because one might argue that the intent of specific information collection can transform it into an intelligence activity. The key here is that the activity is in support of intelligence, but simply getting information may, or may not, impact any conclusions or decision-making. The argument then becomes that determining the information is of no value is of value, which may be true. The debate goes on and on along many tangents.

For the purposes of Preemptive Strike, our focus is mostly on the process of information acquisition and ultimately assessing the basis for intelligence conclusions.

Perhaps more simply, at Preemptive Strike you will find commentary on espionage, spying, covert activities, and probably everything you think is associated with Intelligence Operations.