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Intelligence Analysis

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Intelligence analysis is the process by which the information collected about an enemy is used to answer tactical questions about current operations or to predict future behavior. RAND has helped the U.S. intelligence community streamline its processes and aided military analysts collecting and processing information on the battlefield.

Report

How the Intelligence Community Could Better Fulfill Its Mission

Sep 24, 2018

Conflict with a near-peer competitor—Russia or China—or war with North Korea or Iran would be a game changer, requiring more resources than the U.S. Intelligence Community currently has. But there are meaningful changes that intelligence leaders could make to better meet future demands.
Report

Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis: Findings and Recommendations

Jan 27, 2021

Getting the right intelligence to the right people at the right time is increasingly difficult as the amount of data grows and timelines shrink. How can tools and technologies help the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System evolve to meet the challenges of synthesizing data effectively and efficiently?

Explore Intelligence Analysis

Report

Artificial Intelligence Systems in Intelligence Analysis

The U.S. military and intelligence community have shown interest in using artificial intelligence systems to support intelligence analysis. But deploying AI systems in a national security context requires the ability to measure how well they will perform in the context of their mission.

Aug 26, 2021
Report

Documenting Intelligence Mission-Data Production Requirements: How the U.S. Department of Defense Can Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness by Streamlining the Production Requirement Process

The authors examine issues relating to the identification of requirements for Intelligence Mission Data and intelligence production for the Acquisition Intelligence Requirements Task Force.

Aug 3, 2021
Report

China's Drive for Power and Influence Around the World

An analysis of China's ability to use various mechanisms of influence to shape the policies and behavior of 20 countries finds that China's economic power is the foundation for its influence. This analysis offers lessons for the United States that can inform its response.

Jun 30, 2021
Commentary

The Intelligence Community's Deadly Bias Toward Classified Sources

Even when relevant data is publicly available, U.S. intelligence analysts are not including it in their analytic products during their routine course of business. This willful ignorance of publicly available information is hurting U.S. national security.

Apr 12, 2021
Commentary

An Early Policy Victory for DNI Haines: Boost the Priority of Open Sources Information

The quantity, quality, and accessibility of publicly available information has exploded over the past decades. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines has an opportunity to advance intelligence community mission activities on several key issues shaped by the digital information age, including the role of publicly available information.

Mar 4, 2021
Report

Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis: Technical Analysis

What are the near-term fixes to existing intelligence challenges? And where could artificial intelligence and machine learning be integrated in the future? An in-depth analysis explores technologies that could help the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System become more effective, efficient, and agile.

Jan 27, 2021
Journal Article

Applying Indications and Warning Frameworks to Cyber Incidents

This research proposes a high-level yet practical strategic cyber indications and warning approach that governments, NATO agencies, and the private sector can apply to defend against cyber threats.

Apr 28, 2020
Q&A

Intel, Ethics, and Emerging Tech: Q&A with Cortney Weinbaum

Cortney Weinbaum studies topics related to intelligence and cyber policy as a senior management scientist at RAND. In this interview, she discusses challenges facing the intelligence community, the risks of using AI as a solution, and ethics in scientific research.

Aug 23, 2019
Journal Article

Adaptation by Intelligent Adversaries to Defensive Measures: Framing Adaptation Options and Demonstrating Assessment of Attacker Preferences Using Proxy Intelligence Data

Addressing adaptation by adversaries and its implications for security planning requires understanding the ways attackers can respond to new defensive measures. This paper demonstrates an analysis of such preferences using open source data.

Oct 2, 2018
Journal Article

Intelligence in a Data-Driven Age

The Intelligence Community is nearing critical decisions on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Jul 13, 2018
Report

Defining Second Generation Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for the Defense Enterprise

This report describes the evolution of open source intelligence, defines open source information and the intelligence cycle, and parallels with other intelligence disciplines, along with methods used and challenges of using off-the-shelf technology.

May 17, 2018
Report

Assessing Competencies and Proficiency of Army Intelligence Analysts Across the Career Life Cycle

This report describes the development and implementation of a process to assess key analytic competencies and proficiency of the U.S. Army's analysts in the 35F military occupational specialty and the design of a protocol for ongoing evaluation.

Jul 27, 2017
Report

The Future of Sectarian Relations in the Middle East

Sectarianism is shaping developments across the Middle East. But sectarianism is only one lens for understanding the region's conflicts, and some of its drivers are amenable to policy interventions.

May 22, 2017
Commentary

Three Ways to Improve Australia's Intelligence Capability

Intelligence agencies should become centers of expertise, focus on what matters for their customers, and coordinate a network of partners. To better deliver on these three priorities, the Australian Intelligence Community should consider a leadership structure with authority to guide and coordinate these processes.

Apr 4, 2017
Report

Assessing the Value of Structured Analytic Techniques in the U.S. Intelligence Community

This report argues for more systematic assessment of the structured analytic techniques employed by the Intelligence Community and provides a pilot study illustrating how they could be evaluated.

Jan 9, 2017
Commentary

The Case for Analyst Perspectives in the Intelligence Community

The intelligence community should give analysts a channel to convey their individual insights. This would give policymakers well-reasoned alternative views.

Oct 20, 2016
Report

Preparing for the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis

Given the recent focus on irregular warfare, it is essential that the United States Air Force has the capability to provide intelligence analysis in support of a broader range of operations. Past operations offer key lessons to help prepare for USAF intelligence in the future.

Apr 27, 2016
Report

U.S. National Security Decisionmaking Processes Need Streamlining

The U.S. national security system faces a range of management challenges. A leaner, more focused national security decisionmaking system can help the United States succeed in a period of tumultuous change.

Apr 5, 2016
News Release

U.S. National Security Decisionmaking Processes Need Trimming

Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the National Security Council is necessary as the country contends with many more state and nonstate actors, around-the-clock public scrutiny, and exploding nontraditional threats.

Apr 5, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Intelligence Analysis

Topic Synonyms:
Analytic Tradecraft

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