Cjus 820-discussion 4-reply 2 | CJUS 820 – Advanced Topics in Terrorism and Intelligence | Liberty University

The response must be 250 words and use at least 2 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include texts, articles, presentations, the Bible, blogs, videos, etc.

Textbook: Taylor, R. W., & Swanson, C. R. (2019). Terrorism, intelligence, and homeland security (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson. ISBN: 9780134818146.

**CHARITY**

he role of the intelligence community is to collection, analysis, and production of reliable information from multiple sources including human intelligence, signals intelligence, imagery intelligence, measurement and signatures intelligence, geospatial intelligence and open-source intelligence (What is Intelligence, n.d.).  That information is used to develop actionable intelligence that would prevent terrorism against the United States and its allies and interests around the world (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019). There are several agencies within the Intelligence Community that collect, analyze, and act on domestic and foreign intelligence including, DHS, CIA, FBI, NSA, DNI, Military Intelligence, DIA, NGA, and NRO (Taylor & Swanson, 2019).

According to a report published in 2019 by National Intelligence Agency, the mission of the department is to access protected information to “maintain global awareness for strategic warning” (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019, p. 1). The mission objectives are identified in seven activities outlined in the NIS report which are strategic intelligence, anticipatory intelligence, current operations intelligence, cyber threat intelligence, counter terrorism, counterproliferation, counterintelligence and security (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019). The intelligence community’s role in prosecuting the war on terror is to investigate, collect, production, and assist in the prosecution foreign and domestic terrorist actors or cells within the limits of the United States Constitution, federal power, and authority defined by Congress (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). The intelligence agencies are responsible for securing the safety of the United States and its citizens globally and bringing those responsible for planning, recruiting, and/or participating in terrorist activities (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). The National Security Law Unit of the FBI’s Office of the General Counsel is responsible for the FISA applications, accuracy of the information contained in a warrant, and “act to prevent the disclosure of classified or other sensitive information, including intelligence sources and methods that may affect ongoing investigations (General Attorney/ National Security Coordination and Litigation Unit (NSCLU), n.d.).  The intelligence apparatus is comprised of eighteen elements that fall under the umbrella of one of the following: the Justice Department, Department of State, Treasury, Independent Agencies, Defense, Energy, Space Force, and Homeland Security (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019).

Cycle of Intelligence

The cycle of intelligence in the intelligence community includes information sharing and safeguarding of information (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019). There are national and local Fusion Centers across the United States that collect information from various sources to detect, investigate, and identify potential risks of terrorism and transnational organized crime (Taylor & Swanson, 2019, p. 261). Fusion Centers are essentially information warehouses or clearinghouses that “blend the power of information technology with terrorism prevention and crime fighting” (Taylor & Swanson, 2019, p. 261). The Fusion Centers assist in developing, enhancing, integrating, and leveraging information from various sources that are utilized to advance national security objectives and priorities (National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 2019). The cycle of intelligence has five steps at the local level, an Iowa State Fusion Center’s cycle of intelligence includes, planning and direction, collection, processing, analysis and production, and dissemination (The Intelligence Production Cycle, n.d.). The Intelligence Community on the federal level has six steps in the cycle of intelligence including, planning, collection, analysis, processing, dissemination, and evaluation (How IC Works, n.d.).

Christian Worldview

Law enforcement and the intelligence community are tasked with protecting the American people from those who intend to harm them. This responsibility requires sharing information with the necessary people and agencies to prevent terrorist attacks or violent crimes from transnational organized crime groups. “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28, ESV).