Refining Intelligence Support to Irregular Warfare
Abstract
Joint intelligence doctrine must continue to evolve to stress the proper focus of intelligence efforts, the fusion of all intelligence, and the effectiveness of intelligence gathering to make operational intelligence relevant to the theater commander in today's irregular warfare environment. This essay reviews recent criticisms of operational intelligence and evaluates joint intelligence doctrine as it applies to IW within the framework of the principles of joint intelligence. While processes described in joint intelligence doctrine address the role of intelligence in IW, there are inconsistencies throughout intelligence doctrine and analytical limitations in the Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment process that limit the perspective and agility of the intelligence function. Fusion and collaboration are key principles of joint intelligence, but doctrine lacks methods to incorporate the operational reports that often provide the best IW information sources. Intelligence doctrine should enable tactical level control of collection assets as the front line collectors in IW. Finally, this essay recommends joint doctrine improvements to ensure proper analytical perspective, capitalize on all sources of intelligence, and strike a balance between supporting tactical units and the operational commander.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA525260
Entities
People
- Steven Gorski
Organizations
- Naval War College