In the Eye of the Perfect Storm: Re-imagining, Reforming and Refocusing Intelligence for Risk, Globalisation and Changing Societal Expectation

Abstract

Intelligence reform is on the agenda: globally discussed, Anglo-Saxon pursued. That it is discussed globally reflects the influence of ‘globalisation’ as a phenomenon. ‘Changing societal expectation’, itself powered, like globalisation, by the transformation in information and communication technology, is increasingly global, its gaze focused on the spectrum of challenges to humanity beyond mere security. ‘Risk’, the leitmotif of contemporary society, the ‘measure’ and ‘prioritiser’ of future events, pivots between the two. Globalisation, risk and societal expectation are colliding forces presenting challenges for both nation-state governments and global governance alike. If they are issues for governments then they are surely issues for intelligence and should be included in debate on intelligence reform. This paper posits that open-source intelligence offers one reform option, including the consideration of an independent open-source agency at national level.