Intelligence in the fight against terrorism : post 9/11

Abstract

The term intelligence can mean different things. It involves collecting and interpreting of data, from closed or open sources, so as to obtain forewarning about possible future threats. However it may also refer to the body collecting this information. With the fall of the Berlin Wall the intelligence services of the West had to be reconfigured to deal with multiple threats rather than one centralised enemy. Prior to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11 intelligence agencies in Europe had already dealt with terrorism, which stemmed from nationalist movements such as the IRA and the Basque ET A. After 9/11 however Western intelligence approaches had to be altered once again. More funds were directed towards intelligence agencies in order for them to increase human resources. Even though 9/11 established terrorism as a powerful actor in in global affairs, which as a result heightened homeland security, the European intelligence agencies still failed to prevent the attacks in Madrid on March 11 2004, and the London bombings on July 7 2005. These served as wake up calls for Europe in which the outcome was a call for a greater integration and expansion of Europe's collective intelligence and law enforcement powers. The first chapter of this dissertation deals with the theoretical aspect of intelligence; its different meanings, uses, effects on foreign policy and relation to diplomacy. Furthermore it will deal with how perceptions changed with regards to intelligence and terrorism after 9/11. One of the main ways to deal w1th terrorism is interagency cooperation, hence the ensuing chapter will deal with the British and American domestic and foreign intelligence agencies, and the close relationship that exists between them. Furthermore this chapter looks at the factors that affect interagency relations. The dissertation will also look into why intelligence agencies fail in preventing terrorist attacks. As case studies the third chapter will look into the terrorist attacks in the US (9111) and Europe (3/11 and 7/7) and what reforms have the affected states taken in order to prevent such disasters from happening again.