National Security Intelligence

Loch K. Johnson’s National Security Intelligence explores the evolution of the US’s intelligence community from the first days of the Cold War until the present. Johnson’s main argument holds that when national leaders take decisions, the quality of information before them may significantly determine policy successes or failures. Researchers engaged in intelligence studies focus on such information: where it comes from, its accuracy, how it is deployed and what might be done to improve its reliability and timeliness. Intelligence communities are essential ingredients in the pursuit of national interests and Johnson keenly observes the important role played by such communities for states’ national security. The book’s added-value gravitates around the sheer concentration of information drawn on coupled with Johnson’s specialised expertise and his ability of transmitting this expertise in a captivating, professional and clear manner.

In terms of mapping this text, it commences with an exploration of the relationship between intelligence work and national security. It then turns to problems associated to data collection and analysis. Thirdly, covert operations are examined, followed by an evaluation of counterintelligence. The last two chapters deal with the relationship between the secrecy of intelligence work and democratic institutions. Additionally, Johnson presents another key dimension of how intelligence communities interacts with democratic institutions to safeguard national interests.

The book is centred on the actual debate of the intelligence work such as covert action (chapter 3) and counterintelligence (chapter 4). These two chapters benefit from the author’s expertise in what concerns how the two subjects are dealt in the United States’ national security apparatus. It should be mentioned that Johnson discusses the entire volume from a theoretical perspective modelled on the US national security system. Due to the nature of the intelligence work, details and transparent empirical information is scant; the work is largely anecdotal though explanations are very detailed and provide readers a thorough understanding of the field.

This book adequately contributes to the introduction in the study of intelligence as a vital component of national security, for students and entry-level researchers. It benefits of a clear structure and layout and an accessible language. Its innovation lies in Johnson’s combining of theoretical approaches and practical usages in explaining the work of the US intelligence apparatus. Above all, the book highlights the vital role of institutions – foundations, committees, university departments, government agencies – in shaping disciplines and intellectual frameworks of which intelligence is key.