Full Spectrum Intelligence Support for the Joint Commander: Incorporating Cultural Intelligence into Joint Doctrine
Abstract
Joint intelligence doctrine focuses too much on traditional adversaries in combat situations and does not adequately address issues of foreign culture. In addition, intelligence doctrine for process and planning does not adequately direct the joint force commander's (JFC) intelligence establishment to prepare reports on the characteristic features of foreign peoples that include information on their civilization, beliefs, and social institutions. This lack of information leaves the commander and his forces vulnerable when they must operate in foreign societies or with foreign groups. These groups include the indigenous populations in the joint operations area as well as the foreign forces in a coalition. To better support the commander across the range of military operations the military must expand joint intelligence doctrine to include cultural intelligence. This paper analyzes the focus of current joint intelligence doctrine and its lack of consideration for foreign cultures. The author asserts that the JFC should possess the best in-depth and current analysis on foreign cultures, information that provides him with a true understanding of the cultures of the foreign groups with which he and his forces will interact. The author makes specific recommendations on how to incorporate cultural analysis into joint intelligence doctrine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA464552
Entities
People
- John P. Coles
Organizations
- Naval War College