Introduction
Intelligence community (IC) in the United States refers to the federation of agencies and organizations within the executive that work together or independently to conduct intelligence activities that relate to conduct of foreign relations and matters of national security. The U.S. IC is made up of 18 organisations that include; Air Force Intelligence, the Army Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, Coast Guard Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency, Department Of Energy, the Department Of Homeland Security, Department Of State, Department Of The Treasury, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Marine Corps Intelligence, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, the National Security Agency, Navy Intelligence And Space Force Intelligence (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, n.d.).
Intelligence agencies are established to be providing vital information to policymakers. In this case, policymakers are individuals in positions that can influence policy decisions. For example, government officials, members of Congress and the House of Representatives, civil societies among other players.
The Relationship between intelligence and policy
The IC supports policymakers with relevant information that is prepared and analysed by an expert that meet specific policy requirement and needs. The IC are able to turn information into intelligence by connecting data to issues of national importance and security. IC experts are capable of providing intelligence information of value, both tactical and strategic, to policymakers. This information helps policymakers who may be deficient of expert knowledge to understand complex issues and situations (Gookins, 2008).
The role of policymakers in the intelligence process starts when the policymakers request for intelligence information. The policymakers remain in the intelligence cycle till they get the information that meet their needs. This process demands a lot of feedback from the policymakers. But, this process has challenges like politicization of intelligence, the rise of information age and biasness (Gookins, 2008).
The intelligence cycle outlines the intelligence process. The intelligence process refers to how information is gathered by the IC when it is requested. The process has 6 six steps. These are; requirements gathering, planning and direction, data collection both openly and secretly, processing into intelligence report, analysis and production and dissemination. This process appears to be linear, but, it is fluid as shown in the figure below due to the active collaboration between the producers (IC) and consumers (policymakers) (FBI, n.d.).
Anticipatory Intelligence
Anticipatory Intelligence involves detecting, identifying and issuing warnings of emerging issues and trends that may need attention or shift as far as national security is concerned. This area of intelligence utilizes the science of prediction. The major threats to national security emanates from nations that are not U.S. allies great power competition and other nation-states conflicts. For example, Ukraine and Russia conflict, North Korea nuclear and weapons of mass destruction programs, Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, among other threats (Director of National Intelligence, 2022).
North Korea: Anticipatory Intelligence
Anticipatory Intelligence relating to North Korea is very important in shaping foreign relations and making decisions of national security importance. North Korea engages in illicit activities like cyber espionage, weapons embargo, chemical and biological weapons among other things. All these activities are carried out in order to fund the development of advanced military weapons, nuclear and WMD program and make the current regime remain in power (Director of National Intelligence, 2022). The intelligence information about North Korea can help the United States in fighting cybercrimes that target critical infrastructure and emanates from North Korea. The intelligence is also important in developing sanctions and policies on international stage. Also, intelligence is important in gauging the strength of North Korea in terms of weapons and economic status.
