Foreword
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Spies have always fascinated the public. However, sensationalist accounts in fiction and film have discouraged scholars from considering intelligence an integral part of the scholarly literature—especially in the realm of international relations. Yet scholars must take intelligence into account, given its capacity to influence and shape the nature of the international system. The purpose of the Winter–Spring 2008 issue of The SAIS Review is to open such a discussion.
The issue begins with an Introduction from John McLaughlin, a former Deputy Director and acting Director of the CIA from 2000–2004 who is now a Senior Research Fellow at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In the first section, John Tidd provides a concise history of U.S. intelligence. In the second section, the focus is intelligence policy. Paul Pillar examines the evaluation system of the U.S. intelligence community and provides a recommendation on how to understand the role of intelligence in national security. The CIA veteran James Olson explores moral considerations in the history of intelligence in the United States and contributes a series of realistic scenarios capturing the nature of the war on terror.
The third section focuses on the practice of intelligence. James Wirtz suggests that the advent of the information age has allowed terrorist organizations to engage in denial and deception. Captain Amanda Gookins argues that role of the Intelligence Community in policy is overlooked in the international relations literature. Next, Jin Kim and Bill Allard examine the challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security and its intelligence enterprise and recommend developing a common analytical culture. The fourth section addresses intelligence reform. Loch Johnson discusses the role selection of congressional intelligence overseers and asserts that they have developed in four broad categories. Catherine Lotrionte examines the report by the CIA's Office of the Inspector General that details the CIA accountability regarding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
This year, The SAIS Review added a special section on expert views on intelligence. The former 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson shares his intelligence policy. Esteemed former journalist from The Washington Post Ronald Kessler provides his insight on what he calls the "New Spies." The SAIS Review also provides special interviews with leaders in the field of intelligence. Also, The SAIS Review is happy to congratulate the winners of the Fall 2007 SAIS Review Contest: Dominic Nardi, winner of the Essay Contest; Rick Lechowick, winner of the Photo Essay Contest; and Jacob Heim, winner of the Book Review Contest. [End Page 1]
The issue concludes with three book reviews. First is Francis Fukuyama's essay, "The Eighteenth-Century Hockey Stick," a review of Gregory Clark's A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World. Next is Quentin Hodgson's essay, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Diplomats," which reviews Dennis Ross's Statecraft: and How to Restore America's Standing in the World. Finally, Fleur Cowan contributes "A Review of Recent Intelligence Literature," an essay reviewing three books—James Olson's Fair Play: the Moral Dilemma of Spying, Richard Betts's Enemies of Intelligence: Knowledge and Power in American National Security, and Richard Posner's Uncertain Shield: The U.S. Intelligence System in the Throes of Reform.
We'd like to thank the SAIS Review Advisory Board for their guidance and support.
This issue could not have been completed without the hard work and dedication to all the associate and assistant editors of The SAIS Review. Special thanks to Professor John McLaughlin for helping The SAIS Review navigate the intelligence world. We hope you enjoy this issue.
