Domestic Intelligence in the United Kingdom: Applicability of the MI-5 Model to the United States

Abstract

Intelligence failures frequently lead to calls for reforms in the United States Intelligence Community to remedy what are real or perceived functional, procedural, regulatory, systemic, and/or structural problems. While it can be debated whether the events of September 11, 2001 represent a tactical or strategic failure, it has been widely cited as a prima facie intelligence failure. One potential remedy that has been suggested in response to the events of September 11, 2001 is the establishment of a domestic intelligence agency akin to the British Security Service, also known as MI5. Some analysts maintain that because the British have had more experience with terrorism on their own soil and have a democratic form of government, there may be value in emulating the MI-5 organization and jurisdiction in the United States. During a recent visit to the United States, the British Home Secretary David Blunkett met with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and agreed to establish a Joint Anti-Terrorism Working Group, in part, to leverage the United Kingdom s antiterrorism experience.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2003
Accession Number
ADA455815

Entities

People

  • Todd Masse

Organizations

  • Federation of American Scientists

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Rights
  • Congress
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Domestic Intelligence
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Intelligence (Information Gathering)
  • Intelligence Community (United States)
  • Intelligence Cycle
  • International Law
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Readers

  • Criminal Law
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.