Topics in IR: Strategic Intelligence and National Security Policy

This seminar examines the role of strategic intelligence in the making and implementation of national security policy, chiefly but not exclusively in the United States. The course is divided into four sections: strategy, intelligence, national security, and policy. We review the classic literature in this field, look at the evolution of the principal national security agencies, focus on the role of strategic intelligence, and explore relevant case studies. The final paper assignment is a case study in strategic intelligence or a scenario analysis of the kind pioneered in the National Intelligence Council's 'Global Trends' series.