In Praise of Intel­li­gence Studies

 "If you're not having fun, you're not learning. There's a pleasure in finding things out."

- Richard Feynman

A good story can make a campfire that much eerier. A good story can flip a conversation at a party from completely awkward to wonderful.  Andrew Stanton: The clues to a great story A good story can glue your nose to a book. And, on screen, a good story can rivet generation after generation.

So, uh, how do you tell one?

Andrew Stanton, the Pixar writer and director behind both Toy Story and WALL-E, has many ideas, and he shared his expertise in his TED Talk, The clues to a great story. Below, see his golden rules of storytelling visualized by Karin Hueck and Rafael Quick of the Brazilian culture and science magazine Superinteressante.

 Each month, the magazine’s editors take a TED Talk and give it to their graphic wizards to interpret in any way they see fit. Here, a reimagining of Stanton’s talk on stories. Via the Ugly Duckling. Just click the image to see a larger version.

(See also the first infographic in this series, illustrating David Blaine’s experiment to hold his breath for an astonishing 17 minutes. And the great take on the talk in which “eyeborg” wearer Neil Harbisson explains how he hears color. And the hows and whys of effective altruism, in this visual interpretation of Peter Singer’s TED Talk.)

How to tell a great story, visualized

Are Russian Spy Agencies Trying to Stoke Anti-US Sentiment in Mexico? According to the FBI, They Are

“The time has come to show the United States that it is under threat from a country of 130 million inhabitants that is finally waking up.” Russia is trying to poison bilateral relations between the Mexico and the US by taking advantage of Mexico’s ruling party Morena’s innate anti-Americanism. That is the conclusion of an […]

I note that Michael Howard in that passage did not even dare to name GCHQ, the British signals intelligence and cybersecurity organization where I started my career in 1969. I was told when still at university about their fast stream cadet programme without being expected to know officially beforehand that GCHQ was an intelligence agency or even to know of the wartime existence and triumphs of Bletchley Park. There were almost no academic sources that I could have consulted to enlighten me. 

David Kahn had published in the US in 1966 his groundbreaking book, Codebreakers: The Story of Secret Writing but we now know that without his knowledge his publisher (Macmillan) had sent a copy of the draft to the US National Security Agency (NSA) who tried unsuccessfully to suppress it, but they did succeed – at GCHQ's insistence  – in removing references to NSA’s relationship with GCHQ as its long-term partner in UKUSA. Only during a briefing given to the small number of candidates who had survived the ordeal of the stiff GCHQ entry examination, just before the final interviews in the summer of 1969, were the veils of secrecy lifted, slowly one by one, with exhortations at each stage encouraging withdrawal if any of us were experiencing doubts about what we were learning of the real work of the organisation we were seeking to join. 

In Praise of Intel­li­gence Studies

Balancing National Security and Privacy: Examining the Use of Commercially Available Information in OSINT Practices 

Open source intelligence (OSINT) researchers utilize specialized tools to access vast amounts of data from multiple sources simultaneously. These tools, equipped with (paid) modules, allow users to tap into aggregated data sets containing commercially available information, such as location data from mobile phone users. The utilization of commercially available information from OSINT tools by intelligence and security services impacts fundamental rights and freedoms; more specifically, the right to personal data protection. Drawing from prior experience working on this topic within a Dutch oversight committee on the intelligence and security services and international developments in OSINT practice, insights are provided on this new OSINT practice and the responses of oversight authorities. Rather than advocating for a categorical ban, a more refined approach to process commercially available information from OSINT tools is suggested. Building on the work of a Dutch oversight authority and the work of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, four recommendations are provided to intelligence and security services to responsibly handle commercially available information in OSINT practices. 

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Assumptions in intelligence analysis 

This paper critiques the definitions of assumptions in intelligence analysis, highlighting their lack of clarity and precision. It proposes more specific definitions for assumption, presumption, and implicit assumption, emphasizing the overlooked importance of presumptions. The paper aims to enhance the understanding of assumptions among intelligence analysts, improving their ability to identify and work with various types of assumptions. The discussion includes an examination of the circularity and confusion in existing definitions, the importance of recognizing different types of assumptions, and the need for precise terminology in training. Additionally, the paper delves into background assumptions, the role of presumptions in gap closing, and the Toulmin method applied to working with assumptions. 

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Rethinking Thought: A Practitioner’s Guide to Critical Thinking in Intelligence Analysis by Akshata Kumavat and Randall Stickley

Rethinking Thought: A Practitioner’s Guide to Critical Thinking in Intelligence Analysis" is a groundbreaking resource for anyone involved in national defense, homeland security, or law enforcement. Intelligence analysis demands more than just processing data – it requires sharp critical thinking skills, adaptability, and, above all, the ability to reason without bias. This book delves into the core principles of critical thinking, teaching analysts how to navigate ever-changing threat environments while maintaining objectivity. The authors explore the pervasive issue of cognitive bias, providing readers with practical strategies to identify and remove it from their analysis. Whether you are working in the high-stakes world of national security or day-to-day law enforcement operations, mastering the art of unbiased thinking is crucial. "Rethinking Thought" offers a clear roadmap for analysts to enhance their reasoning abilities, improve analytical accuracy, and cultivate ethical decision-making. It’s not just about understanding what critical thinking is, but also how to apply it in real-world intelligence scenarios. 

By recognizing and addressing mental blind spots, this book equips you to overcome common challenges in analysis and presents tools to refine your thought processes. With a focus on practical application, it helps build confidence, mental agility, and mastery in thought – traits every intelligence professional needs to succeed. If you’re ready to take your analytical skills to the next level, this book is an essential guide to becoming a more effective, clear-minded, and ethical intelligence professional 

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