A nice read on the NIE re: Iraq's WMD program. (SANITIZED)

WMD

Special thanks to Prof William Gawthrop.

An awesome resource worth checking out

A predictive analytics and visualization engine I found quite interesting. They have a free email update service to help cover ground on topics you find interesting...from politics, to businesses, world events, to stock market tracking.

https://www.recordedfuture.com/

Explaining Competitive Intelligence

I came across this on the CI2020 Competitive Intelligence website and wanted to share it. An interesting and entertaining video giving some insight into the relatively obscure and unknown world of CI. Enjoy!
Here: Explaining Competitive Intelligence

Quick thought for the day

Use pattern recognition, behavioral congruency analysis, and asymmetry evaluation to figure it out. You don't even really need to ask questions. Everyone has a unique subconscious algorithm that can be deciphered. Then wait. Don't make a move until you gain edge. Then the Endgame is yours. Like Napoleon Bonaparte once said: "When your adversary is making a mistake, don't correct them".

A site on Competitive Intelligence worth checking out

A very comprehensive site covering many aspects of Competitive Intelligence. There are many CI professionals who share a passion for the industry. An extremely powerful resource for learning and networking.

Competitive Intelligence-
Tactical, Operational & Strategic Analysis of Markets, Competitors & Industries
http://www.ci2020.com/

Sources And Methods: Is The US's COIN Doctrine Fighting The "Last War"? (Original Research)

Outstanding work from an outstanding blog! Original work by Assc Professor Kristan Wheaton of Mercyhurst College's Applied Intelligence program. Check it out!

Sources And Methods: Is The US's COIN Doctrine Fighting The "Last War"? (Original Research)

Since OSINT Is So Readily Available, Will It Ever Replace Covert Operations?

I don't think OSINT will ever replace covert operations. OSINT is extremely valuable, but covert operations cover an area that OSINT does not have access to. OSINT is by definition open source information, while covert operations are generally into denied areas or accessing information that is certainly not open source, whether troop movements, technicial specifications, or other classified information that of course by definition isn't open source information. Covert operations and OSINT collection are complementary methods and neither can completely replace the other as they cover two different area of the intelligence equation.

There are various intelligence disciplines and sources, and while there is certainly some overlap in many cases, they each play a vital role in the total spectrum of intelligence and no one discipline can be totally covered or made obsolete by another. To me this is particularly true in the comparison of covert operations versus OSINT collection as they are almost opposite sources.