Strategic Intelligence: Windows into a Secret World

"Loch Johnson and James Wirtz have produced a vitally important volume on the future of strategic intelligence. At a time when U.S. and other intelligence services are adapting quickly to the new threat environment, in part by returning to the basics of collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert action, this volume offers historical parallels and contemporary discussions about the challenges of doing so. Drawing upon traditional and sometimes controversial experts, this book covers the rich intelligence landscape, and incorporates updated discussions on ethics and accountability, politicization of intelligence, and even a section on intelligence in other lands. One of the richest volumes on intelligence in the past decade." —Kevin O’Connell, Director, Intelligence Policy Center, RAND
"This is an outstanding text, good for anyone who wants to know more about a crucial component of policymaking. In the post-Cold War, post-September 11th world, Johnson and Wirtz have assembled a collection of articles across the intelligence spectrum. The reader cannot come away from this book without a greater understanding of intelligence and its importance to U.S. policymakers in today’s world." —Frank J. Smist, Jr., Rockhurst University
"This anthology is a welcome addition to the growing literature on intelligence. The articles selected generally provide excellent elaborations of the key issues, triumphs, and tribulations of a controversial but necessary component of our government, especially in the post 9/11 era." —George C. Fidas, The George Washington University
STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE provides the first comprehensive set of readings in the field of intelligence studies. Johnson and Wirtz’s anthology spans a wide range of topics, from how the United States gathers and interprets information collected around the world to comparisons of the American intelligence system with the secret agencies of other nations. The readings are written by renowned experts, and each article is prefaced by a brief, framing introduction written by the editors.

The text addresses a wide range of material including: (1) the meaning of strategic intelligence; (2) methods of intelligence collection; (3) intelligence analysis; (4) the danger of intelligence politicization; (5) relationships between intelligence officers and the policymakers they serve; (6) covert action; (7) counterintelligence; (8) accountability and civil liberties; and (9) intelligence as practiced in other nations.

The text also contains valuable pedagogical features including: (1) thirty-six classic articles on intelligence by leading experts; (2) nine thorough, chapter-length introductory essays by Johnson and Wirtz, which serve as a helpful "road map" for the reader; (3) brief synopses of each article and author profiles; (4) charts and figures on intelligence organization and leadership; and (5) select bibliography.

Loch K. Johnson, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia. James J. Wirtz, Naval Postgraduate School.