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1Indirect manipulation of
intelligence analysis
This is when the boss uses
subtle efforts to shape
intelligence. These actions
occur in how your boss
“suggests” better ways to
write a report leading to a
different conclusion, or
providing incentives to
assessments that “prove a
point” rather than seeking to
find out what the point is.
2
Direct manipulation of
intelligence analysis
This action occurs when the
policymakers points out that
these are the specific findings
that will be accepted and
nothing else. This is probably
the easiest and most obvious
form of politicization of
intelligence.
3
Subtle assumptions of fact
When analysts are expected
to use certain basic
4 Career
5 Partisan
assumptions that are agreed
upon by their bosses and
colleagues. Analysts are not
allowed to wander off and
develop their own
assumptions.
interests
When analysts are driven by
how the intelligence will
advance their careers in the
organization. By becoming
the intelligence expert – that
provides the required
answers to the intelligence
questions, your status will be
enhanced. Of course, you are
not allowed to accept other
opinions or facts that might
contradict your assessments.
intelligence
When political motives
influence the decision of the
analyst and their assessment.
Clearly, when two or more
political parties are vying for
power in a country, there is a
ethics
Here are 7 additional and different forms of politicisation that exists. The list includes the obvious and
less obvious but is important that analysts be aware of such frameworks.
carryover to how it may
prove or disprove a political
party’s platform.
October 2012 Foreknowledge 5
6 Bureaucratic
intelligence
Bureaucracies use
intelligence to gain power
and favour from those in
political power. Good
supportive intelligence for
one party over another
political party will result in
how it will affect the
organization’s budget,
resources and organizational
goals.
7
Intelligence as a scapegoat
Politicians will often blame
intelligence for failed policies,
or when government
operations go wrong.
Intelligence analysts can be
easy prey for politicians -
especially when the element
of secrecy is involved.
Consequently, intelligence
analysts can rarely speak out
in their own defense.