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A Reader's Guide to Espionage
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11385 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
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11 / 1986 |
3,566 Words |
| Author
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Hans Moses
Hans Moses has spent more than 25 years in intelligence work,
most of it an Clandestine Service, and has lectured and
authored various works on intelligence-related subjects. He
currently edits a quarterly publication for CIA retirees. |
We might as well begin by descending to the fundamental level. Let's accept two facts of government life: First, the American establishment, in all its incarnations, is a part - not an adversary - of the U.S. government; second, American intelligence activities abroad both reflect and support our foreign policy. Those are simple truths, even though some people who address intelligence issues seem to lose sight of them.
Governments need information. What kind depends on each one's unique situation. Political, economic, military, scientific, and technical data is necessary, for some in more intricate detail than others. For many government offices, whose interests necessarily reflect the complexity of the international scene they observe, they must satisfy requirements for both general and specialized research, hence they seek to obtain information through a multitude of available channels.
Foremost in this era of instant communication is the media - domestic and foreign, print and electronic - vying for the attention of individuals and institutions alike. Much that is valuable can be gleaned from media coverage. But for governmental purposes, there are limitations.
It is only natural for most media groups to concentrate on stories expected to have an impact on the reading and viewing public, rather than on raw material for analytical dissection. Attribution (like "Sources say…") is often too vague for proper evaluation. All too frequently, competing journals will let the advantages of speedy publication override the need for careful verification. Also, media access to certain areas of greatest interest to our government is severely restricted. Finally, only some of the really well - placed foreign sources are interested in media attention, while others are equally anxious to avoid it.
The government must fill the gaps through other facilities, notably State Department representatives, attaches, and various official observers. Their services have been and will continue to be truly essential. Even so, some doors remain closed. This is true not only in countries denying us official access but also in other places where information of interest to us is - intentionally, in most cases - concealed from the U.S. government and from those who officially represent it.
We cannot afford to be thwarted by the strategies and tactics of concealment. If we are to guard ourselves against surprises and properly shape our positions, then the very
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