CJ 350 Project One
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Intelligence Gathering Proposal: Assessing National Security Threats
Jared Lacroix CJ – 350 Project One Southern New Hampshire University 11/26/2023
Intelligence Gathering Proposal: Assessing National Security Threats
New intel has pointed to the country of Panama as a possible threat and in relation to this threat, I believe that looking at events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis could give us great insight as to what we are dealing with. Here is an analysis and overview of the events that occurred in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and what we learned from the events that took place and the advancements in counterintelligence. Intelligence gathering during the Cuban Missile Crisis proved critical in shaping history and revealing the strategic intentions of enemy nations. We used U-2 spy planes to capture photographs over
Cuba, revealing the deployment of SS-4 medium-range ballistic missiles near San Cristobal (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2022). This information, analyzed by the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), alerted President Kennedy of this critical threat posed by Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba. Intel also emphasized the six-month gap in detecting this covert operation, highlighting the limitations of U.S. intelligence and counterintelligence (Caddell, 2017). Key pieces of information were critical for the U.S. during this crisis. Understanding Soviet activities in Cuba, especially the installation of offensive missiles, was of great importance (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2022) The need to uncover such activities came from the impending threat posed to national security by Soviet nuclear weapons stationed just 90 miles off the U.S. coast. The delay in uncovering these missiles drew attention to the dangers of intelligence gaps, demonstrating the necessity of timely and comprehensive intelligence(Caddell, 2017).
Different intelligence methods were used to gather information about the Soviets. Human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) faced challenges due to the secretive nature of the Soviet operation (Caddell, 2017). The closed-off Soviet system made traditional spying difficult. The ANADYR operation used many tricks to hide its activities, making it harder to gather intelligence (Caddell,
2017). The U-2 flights and Corona satellites provided good pictures, but they weren't always frequent or
Intelligence Gathering Proposal: Assessing National Security Threats
clear at first. However, when they worked together, using different intelligence methods was crucial to confirm the missile presence (Caddell, 2017; National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2022)."
The benefits of this information-gathering were substantial for the nation. With the discovery of Soviet missiles, it set in motion strategic decisions, including the naval quarantine of Cuba (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2022). Gaps in counterintelligence led to the "photo gap," limiting crucial
surveillance over Cuba (Caddell, 2017). This lack of timely and accurate information about Soviet activities resulted in policy decisions based on incomplete intelligence, exposing vulnerabilities, and risking an intensified crisis.
Intelligence gathering offers insights into potential threats to the nation by unveiling adversaries'
intentions, capabilities, and objectives. Knowing the strategic objectives of foreign nations allows for informed policymaking (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2022). Understanding capabilities, such as offensive missile deployment, assists in formulating appropriate responses. Intelligence on economic ties, military capabilities, and political alliances helps in gauging diplomatic and military strategies.
It's crucial to learn from past intelligence work when shaping our current strategies. Today's intelligence requirements call for strong methods that gather information from various sources, adaptability to changing global situations, and tactics to reduce vulnerabilities in counterintelligence. Prioritizing diverse sources of information and building solid analytical methods are essential. Also, grasping the political side of intelligence collection helps us avoid missing important details and boosts our national security. (Caddell, 2017).
In conclusion, the Cuban Missile Crisis teaches us the vital importance of gathering intelligence. What we learned from past events shapes how we gather intelligence today, stressing the need for thorough and timely information to protect our country's interests. The lessons from this critical historical event still influence how we handle intelligence and make important decisions today.
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Intelligence Gathering Proposal: Assessing National Security Threats
Intelligence Gathering Proposal: Assessing National Security Threats
References: Caddell , J. (2017, October 19). Discovering Soviet missiles in Cuba: How intelligence collection relates to analysis and policy
. War on the Rocks. https://warontherocks.com/2017/10/discovering-soviet-missiles-in-cuba-intelligence-
collection-and-its-relationship-with-analysis-and-policy/
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency . (2022, October). Cuban missile crisis
. 13 Days Over Cuba: The Role of the Intelligence Community in the Cuban Missile Crisis | National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. https://www.nga.mil/history/Cuban_Missile_Crisis.html