11 September: Legitimizing Intelligence?

Abstract

Intelligence has evolved principally as the targeting of other states, and has thus posed its own security dilemma: the knowledge it produces encourages more responsible governmental behaviour, while its methods of secret collection reinforce inter-governmental antagonism or distrust. 11 September and the counter-terrorism following it have, however, accentuated the post-cold war trend to a new intelligence paradigm: targeting `non-state', `partial state' or `rogue state' entities rather than `decent' states; serving `good causes' rather than competitive national advantage; supporting multinational action in actions with international endorsement. As such it has gained increased legitimacy. More positive action is now needed to develop formal international intelligence machinery, not in collection but in analysis and assessment, as part of an extended security system; and to encourage objective intelligence as an input to national policy-making as a world standard of good governance. A necessary counterpoint is more restraint on intrusive intelligence collection against `decent', cooperating states.