Author(s): Jules J. S. GASPARD
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2018
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 19-20/2018
DOI:
Abstract
This paper argues that our theorising of ‘counter-intelligence’ leaves much to be
desired. It maintains that in terms of engagement with the concept, current theory lags
far behind our understanding of intelligence – which itself has frequently been accused
of being ‘under-theorised’ in definitional debates. By carefully assessing current works
on counter-intelligence theory and practice, and interrogating this theorising, I find
three flaws that are necessarily in need of being addressed.
First, I argue that previous authors have all attempted to locate the essence of
‘counter-intelligence’ in its activities and not in its goal. Second, the article demonstrates
that the overwhelming majority of scholars who have engaged in setting the boundaries
and defining counter-intelligence have worked, or currently work within the US
intelligence community. This US intelligence practitioner emphasis in the literature not
only undermines the integrity of the concept as it results in mono-cultural understanding
but, more profoundly, it has sanitised our understanding of the concept. Thus, lastly, I
argue – by exploring contemporary developments in security services – that activities
from these state bureaucracies are best defined by a return to ‘counterespionage’ and a
move away from ‘counter-intelligence’.
Keywords: counter-intelligence, counterespionage, intelligence theory,
intelligence studies, philosophy of language.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.