The Pros And Cons Of Human Intelligence

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Twenty- first century American intelligence is worlds away from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Not only is intelligence now a multi-agency effort, but the way in which intelligence is collected reflects the products of a technologically advanced society. Early espionage was reliant on human intelligence officers, and for the most part, that was the extent of the intelligence resources. Today, the intelligence collection toolbox is comprised of humans, plus drones, satellites, wiretaps, and other technological innovations. With the introduction of new ways of spying, some experts say that human intelligence (HUMINT) is outdated and is not an effective use of the intelligence community’s time or money due …show more content…

According to Gabriel Margolis, a graduate student at University of North Carolina, the “United State was able to develop a unique intelligence culture which focused on technological means of collection because of its technological advances.” Since American society becomes infatuated with developing the newest piece of technology, that mindset has infiltrated the intelligence community. Additionally, Mark Pomerleau, an editorial fellow with Defense Systems, argues that “advanced satellite and unmanned systems, both of which keep soldiers out of harm’s way, has allowed for the military and covert organizations to shy away from human intelligence gathering, or at the very least, rely on it less.” Pomerleau then goes on to explain how the different technological innovations are more effective and precise than HUMINT. His main argument in favor of signals and imagery intelligence is that technology allows the intelligence community to be more accurate and reduce the risk for human operators. Why send a spy into a high risk area when one can fly a drone overhead and accomplish the same goal? While this argument does not consider and encompass the totality of intelligence operations (understanding the motives of individuals and understanding areas of interest that cannot be collected with technology), his argument does raise a legitimate criticism of human intelligence that fuels the general reliance on technology over

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