INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY AGENCIES

Should Intelligence and Security Agencies Work Closely with Decision-Makers, or should they Insulated from them?

Should Intelligence and Security Agencies Work Closely with Decision-Makers, or should they be Insulated from them?

Introduction

It is evident that the role of intelligence and security agencies is just confined to information collection and analysis to ensure national security and to offer safety of populace. On the other hand, the increasing cases of terrorists' activities across the globe, along with the cases of intelligence failures necessitate to broader the thinking spectrum. In the broad outlook, it becomes essential that intelligence and security agencies must play an active role in the process of decision making. Since, they are the ones who have to perform on the battle field or line of action, and are the ones who are most aware of ground realities. Thus, the contribution and participation of these agencies must be increased to improve their performance, and for enhancing national security of the country.

In fact, presently intelligence and security agencies have no or insignificant role in formulation of foreign policy. The increasing threat of terrorism and risk to the life of people in the UK necessitates effective reform and to change the role of intelligence and security agencies, which must not be restricted to information gatherer or investigators but should intervene and plays an active role in policy formation to combat domestic and international terrorism, as well. Since, providing security is the fundamental aim of all countries in today's world affairs. All states collect intelligence to support the search for security. The importance of intelligence has been recognised for about years. The availability of information and the role of intelligence and security agencies have changed dramatically in today's modern age of information and technology. Some argued that role of intelligence and security agencies is only to provide information about threat faced by the country so they should be insulated from decision makers. However, others offer contradicting view point and stated that they should work closely with decision makers. Thus, this paper examines whether intelligence and security agencies work closely with decision-makers or should insulated from them.

Discussion

For a country, the role of the intelligence and the security agencies is very critical. They are responsible for conducting both overt and covert missions for the safety and security of their people. Nonetheless, over the years the intelligence and the security agencies are under constant pressure. It is suggested by many scholars that the intelligence and the security agencies should work closely with the decision makers. Similarly, it is also the opinion of the public in most of the countries that the intelligence agencies should work closely with the decision makers. The role of the different intelligence and security agencies is very critical but it has also been controversial as well (Walsh, 2006). There have been some allegations on the different security and intelligence agencies. It is also believed that most of the intelligence and security agencies conduct such operations, which are not ...