The Joint Intelligence Committee model - Essay Example

? The Joint Intelligence Committee model al affiliation The Joint Intelligence Committee model 0. Introduction Numerous researchers and analysts have compiled several articles and reports on the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). The Joint Intelligence Committee is one of the highest level of conflict resolution by the British government. Other analysts have referred to the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) as the best thing that happened in the British government. The most sparkling thing with the Joint Intelligence Committee is that the committee has managed to maneuver all the critics and scandals that are likely to occur in such a remarkable organization and of high value. According to Aldrich (1992, pp.112) Joint Intelligence Committee is a success that the British government has enjoyed for a long period of time. With time, the Joint Intelligence Committee has attained the label of the government’s flagship. Other researchers have traced the reports of the Britain’s central intelligence in the quest for looking for information that answers all questions that pertain to the Joint Intelligence Committee. In fact, other analysts have made a great attempt to trace the works of the Joint Intelligence Committee’s former chairman, all in an endeavor to understand their records and thoughts on the Committee. This essay will undertake a detailed research on the Joint Intelligence Committee by analyzing the works of various analysts who have undertaken a great percentage of their time to conduct a detailed research on the project. For an understanding of the project, it is important to evaluate the parallel systems in other countries, to comprehend the effectiveness of the Committee. In as much the Joint Intelligence Committee has recorded massive failures whilst in its operations, notable- the onset and closing stages of the cold war- it is important that, both sides of the operations are weighed to avoid bias wile taking the final conclusion. For instance, if the Joint Intelligence Committee is judged on the basis that, it was able to predict the attack of the Soviet bomb to the Britons by 1954, but occurred by 1949, would be taking a harsh stand on the ability of the Joint Intelligence Committee to create a situation whereby they are able to come up with workable solutions on the validity and reliability of the committee. 2.0. Brief history on the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) has had the longest history prior to its establishment. Grant (2009, pp.178) indicates that, the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) traces its roots to the early 1940s. During this period, the Committee played the role of a synchronizing the founder chiefs of the organizations in order to, have a stable base of operation. The major proponents of this Committee included, the directors and delegates of persons with intelligence form various governments’ settings like, UKs army, navy, Economic warfare as well as, the coordinator of information. The growth and development of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) was hastened by the 1947 National Security Amendment that made room for refurbishing the outmoded approach. It is after 1947, that the Committee witnessed hastened growth with the incorporation of persons with ideas on the advancing intelligence in all forms of the Committees’ systems and departments. For instance, it is at this time that, the Committee aimed at creating a situation whereby military intelligence is combined. However, the Committee did not manage to create a unified military intelligence attributes from Phythian’s (2005, pp.654) argument that, no evidence has been documented on the Committees’ statistics that national intelligence estimations are vivid. In response, research conducted by Aldrich (1992, pp.98), indicates that, the committee had to conduct a series of meetings in an attempt to alleviate the hitches that were present in the system as well as, allocating specific roles to various members of the committee. For instance, officers in the Military section of the Committee were allocated full time jobs whilst working in the committee, which was later to be renamed as the Joint Committee staff. An allocation of roles to various subsections of the committee allowed members of the Committee beware of their roles and devise the best methodologies towards creation of a tangible working environment. In the subsequent years, the Joint Intelligence Committee saw the leadership of various individuals fit enough for driving the committee towards the highest scales of operation. By the late 1950s, the committee saw massive renovations that instilled implementation of policies in the organization that would lead to creation of programs that would be efficient and eliminate chances that would eliminate likelihood of collapse of the system through the Defense Reorganization Act of 1958. In the period between the 1960s and 1990s, the Joint Intelligence Committee had attained the status of a system designated to steer the organization towards attaining the mission of the committee, of eliminating tragic surprises that may come along their operations. 3.0. Why the Joint Intelligence Committee was created Various analysts have brought forward varying issues in relation to the reasons behind creation of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). An analysis of various works by numerous authors all up touching on several issues that pertain to security of the country. Aldrich (1998, pp.262) indicates that the Joint Intelligence Committee comes up with specific drafts on the target they ought to come up in a specific time frame. From the compilation by the various departments, the committee ensures that they gain approval from Ministers who analyze all the details provided within the confines of the draft. The ministers are keen to ensure that the provisions of the draft all relate to the security concerns and the factors that endeavor to ensure that the national goals and objectives of the country’s security are achieved. Among the goals of creation of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) are inclusive of safeguarding the country’s security within and without its boundaries. Research indicates that it is almost impossible for conflicts to arise between neighbors or different states. In light to this argument therefore, the British authority attests to the fact that security of its people is the first priority towards ensuring security and continuity of the economy. Herman (2001,pp.112) indicates that one of the factors that would justify the concern of the British government towards security of its people is inclusive of the fact that the Joint Intelligence Committee has been a priority for a long time. It is through the Joint Intelligence Committee that the government has ensured that, its citizens are protected as well as, terrorism is always kept at bay. The British government has endeavored to maneuver terrorist activities through instituting the Joint Intelligence Committee that is keen to detect any form of threats that may be posed on to the country through surveillance systems. The Joint Intelligence Committee plays the imperative role of ensuring that the policies of the British government are in line with the protecting its citizens though advocating for Britain’s foreign interests in a safe manner. This is an interpretation of the fact that the British government is dedicated towards safeguarding its defense and that of its people. Attaining good neighborly relations would relate to the government ensuring that it has sensible foreign policy interests with its neighbors and protecting its individuals. Thirdly, the Joint Intelligence Committee was created for the purposes of supporting any form of crime that may be fashioned against Britain. The Committee has been credited with the ability to detect forms of crime that may be fashioned against Britain. With the invention of the Committee the government has been in a position to handle various crimes that it probably would not be in a position to handle with the absence of the Committee. It is through the thoughts and compilations of Beetham & Weir (1999, pp.161), it is warranted to argue that the Joint Intelligence Committee has geared the country to its highest through provision of security to its citizens by early detection of the intended crimes. Simkins & Hinsley (1990, pp.259) argue that the Joint Intelligence Committee plays the role of provision of information to the government in terms security priority for the government. The Joint Intelligence Committee is comprised of personalities with expertise that allows them detect any form of security risk that may be imposed on the country. The committee has also worked towards collecting and analyzing data and information that is later directed to the security agency for more research. In turn, collective responsibility towards solving security issues in the country is evident. Conclusively, the major aim of creating the Joint Intelligence Committee is to ensure that the security of the citizens of Britain is safeguarded through the intelligence of the personalities of the Committee. The government is in a better position to assess the status of its citizens’ security both internal and external through the help of the security intelligentsia in the Joint Intelligence Committee. 4.0. Roles and characters involved in the making of JIC The creation of the Joint Intelligence Committee saw the incorporation of various personalities. Howells (2010, pp.31) indicates that the success of the Committee would not be possible without the contribution of the persons that formed the committee. Though the committee began as a Defence Committee, responsible for planning peace programs, it gained its prominence after the 2nd World War due to the contributions made by the concerned personalities. He continues to argue that the personalities of these committees were responsible for creating assessment techniques that relate to intelligence abilities of the Committee to provide security measures for the country. Johnson (2007, pp.275) argues that the Joint Intelligence Committee comprises of one of the best and strongest forms of cabinets of personalities. The committee comprises of a chairman who is a senior representative, as well as, members of the British security and intelligent agencies, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury. On the hierarchy, the prime minister has the highest authority in the Joint Intelligence Committee, and plays the role of chairing ministerial committees and general intelligence responsibility. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) comprises of an internal security service (M15) that has a head, who is responsible for collecting and reporting information to the secretary of the committee. On the other hand, the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) comprises of the secret intelligent service (MI6) that plays the role of covering all aspect that pertain to information on foreign intelligence, then reports to the foreign secretary; who in turn forwards the message to the prime minister. All these concerned committees and departments work in tandem, in an attempt to brief the government on the general security of the country. These committees also aim at ensuring that the government accesses information that relates to budget allocations of the need to have a stable security system. Through the concerned teams and committees, the government is able to trace its developments in terms of foreign security and defence. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) also comprises of the permanent secretaries from the FCO, MoD, Home Office and Treasury. These permanent secretaries play the role of informing and advising the Prime minister on the budgetary allocations for the security matters in the government. In turn, the prime minister consults various personalities in the cabinet in order to, come up with the best solution in order to come up with the best solution regarding spending on security matters. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) comprises of the Cabinet secretary who is responsible for the accountability of the budgetary allocation of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC). Among the expenditures that relate to the Committee are inclusive of monitoring and assessing of foreign signals. By 1960s, the government saw the creation of the committee’s intelligence coordinator who would see to the effectiveness of the committee. Notable individuals in this sector include Dick White, who was responsible for reducing the likelihood of any form of rivalry between this committee and other committees. The coordinator was also to hold the position of both the deputy secretary as well as, the organization in general. This is the agency comprised with both the GCHQ and SIS. Its duties are governed by the Intelligence Services Act 1994. The JIC delegates the broad intelligence requirements and also allocate duties to be completed by the GCHQ and SIS. The JIC also takes care of the customer considerations and finances required to run the intelligence unit. The intelligence wants are structured into three parts according to their significance to national security as well as the financial good of the United Kingdom. The JIC forms a part of the British cabinet office. It is placed with the responsibility of heading the national intelligent organizations in the United Kingdom on behalf of the cabinet. It also provides professional standards for intelligent studies in the government. They are additional categorized into subject which underground intelligence is keenly sought, and also on which intelligence is supposed to be reported on any chance found. Examples of highly concerned intelligence would be mostly dealing with terrorism, creation of artillery of mass destruction, and any threats to the UK or to the integrity of British terrain out of the country. In every end of year the performance of the intelligent agencies in achieving these necessities is reviewed by the JIC and after which ministers do the same. The Security Service has its mandates stipulated in the Security Service Acts 1989 and 1996, and it brings forth intelligence on issues of the JIC's necessities for instance, terrorism. 5.0. Structure of the model The Joint Intelligence Committee, founded in 1936 as a part of the imperial defense commission became the senior intelligent evaluation body in the United Kingdom during the World War II. The JIC is the focus matter to oversight by the Intelligence and Security Committee and it is also a component of the Intelligence, Security and liability organization contained by the Cabinet Office. The Committee is headed by the permanent chairman, an associate of the Senior Civil Service who is encouraged by the Intelligence and Security Secretariat and an evaluation staff. The evaluation staff comprises of knowledgeable senior analysts from all parts of the government and also the military which conducts all-source study on matters of importance to the committee. JIC documents printed by the staff get input from all over the intelligence and security agencies and associated agencies. The three agency heads comprise of the membership of the JIC —the SIS, Security Service and Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) (Butler & Lord Butler of Brockwell, 2004, pp.34). Other members include; head and deputy head of defense intelligence, head of evaluation staff, ministry of defense and commonwealth representatives and advisors to the prime minister on foreign affairs. The JIC is formed by two main agencies; the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ). The duties of each department are clearly defined by the intelligence Act of 1994. With the help of the intelligence coordinator, these duties are reviewed on an annual basis. The review includes the determination of need levels for secret intelligence which is mainly done by a consultation exercise with the customer departments. An analysis of the financial requirements and other resources needed is also included. The follow up necessities are then presented to the Ministers for consent. 6.0. The context of the creation of the JIC  The Joint Intelligence Committee saw its foundation within the confines of the need to develop an intelligence committee that would see to the protection and safeguarding of the country’s state of affairs. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) has over the years been regarded as a rustler and gamekeeper in the trade for arms in the United Kingdom. It was the need by the government of Britain to ensure that, no illegal transfer of information and materials would leak out of the country. In response to this, the government sought to establish the Joint Intelligence Committee to act as a gamekeeper to the country’s crucial information. Through the Joint Intelligence Committee, the government would be able to take charge of all sources of information, as well as, trace a record of the manner in which decisions are made regarding the state’s information. The DIS, MI6 and GCHQ worked closely with the government in regard to what kind of information needs to have a license and what needs not to be disclosed. On another note, there was a growing need for the UK government to come up a way of legitimizing arms trade and get licenses on the governing of this trade. The government needed to have a way in which they can have a methodology of having a track of habitual arms transfers; a move that would only be possible if the government used a form of intelligence. In line to this argument, it is justified to argue that, the Joint Intelligence Committee was created in the context of the need by the government to have its arms trade secure by a particular group of individuals with the expertise of dealing with such issues. Generally, the incorporation of the Joint Intelligent Committee was created by virtue of the dire need by the government to come up with ways of securing its citizens in terms of security from within its boundaries and in foreign affairs. From William, Lee & Burnham’s (2000, pp.41) argument, the Joint Intelligent Committee is more of public machinery that aims at protecting individuals on the country unlike the private institutions that do not focus on the public welfare. The Joint Intelligence Committee therefore, revolves around the need for security to be safeguarded in the state. The Committee is exceptional in terms of its ability to detect any forms of flaws that may be present in the security of the country. Security, for that reason, is the major rationale for the creation of the Joint Intelligence Committee by the UK government. 7.0. Assessing effectiveness of the JIC model Generally, the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) may be indicated to be effective on the basis that, they conduct any form of assessments that may relate to the country’s security and intelligence. The committee has over the years, been credited for its ability to come up with solutions in times of crisis in the country as well as, come up with precise information that deals with protection of the country and all concerned stakeholders, in terms of security. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) has also aided the curbing fatal situations that were likely to hit the country’s security despite the fact that, debates have raged on the ability of the Committee to combat security issues. An analysis of the Committee’s coordination of activities, it is justified to argue that, the Committee work hand in hand to come up with solutions regarding the country’s security. To prove this fact, the SIS and GCHQ have had a long history of working closely to come up with the best decisions regarding the country’s security. The two committees have been seen to work together to come up with assessments that are then forwarded to the Minister, finally move to the Red Books, before final consent by the PM. All representatives of the Committee have to attend meetings the Committee, an explanation of the fact that the whole system works as one body towards releasing of intelligence reports that, keep the country always alert, in case of security issues. 7.1. Assessing effectiveness of the JIC model and the Iraq dossier In order to get a glimpse of the committee’s performance history, this case study shall focus on the role of the committee in the famous Iraq dossier. Throughout the period after the 2nd World War, the Joint Intelligence Committee has held constant meetings in an attempt to have a follow up on the progress of the country’s security. It is in this context that majority of the writers and researchers in this field have strongly labeled the committee as the ‘main man’ in security of Britain. According to Smith, Smith & White (1988, pp.80) it is through the constant meetings that the committee was able to involve the country in foreign affairs, thus have a glimpse of the place of UK in the globe. However, varying arguments have been brought forward on the effectiveness of the JIC. In line to the Iraq dossier, the Joint Intelligence Committee can be rated as one the major failures that the UK intelligence has ever portrayed. Laquer (1993, pp.393) indicates that, Britain has indicated a series of commotions that emanate from the inability of the committee to pull together all efforts that contribute to the success of the committees’ goals and objectives. Just alike indicated earlier, the Committee is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the state is well protected at all times. In line to this argument, then Committee was unable to detect the ability of the Iraq’s attack on their country. It is even more alarming that the state could not comprehend the limit of the weaponry program and the ability to launch an attack on the country. The major issues that have revolved around the Iraq’s issue has been the publication of Iraq’s abilities, the contribution of the government in then case- whether the committee was being pressured to carry out their tasks-and finally the story behind the elimination of David Kelly. The case of Iraq took too long to have a final answer, from the decree made by the government that major issues must be discussed alongside Iraq. A careful analysis of the whole process indicates that the Iraq’s issue emanated from the inability of the intelligence committee to work closely, so as develops a working plan on implementation of the committee’s goals. Though some analysts argue that, the Committee should not be judged as failure from one mess, but should be weighed collectively on the progress since the establishment of the committee. On the other hand, it is important to note that the committee was almost totally broken down with the Iraq’s issue trickling into the system. To get a clear analysis of the system, it is important to ask questions on the reliability of the system. For instance, if the Committee is the one of the country’s mechanisms towards provision of security, why it that, the Iraq issue is has almost become impossible for the entire team to find answers. In fact, the committee attested to the fact that collective responsibility of the committee lacked prior to the Iraq’s dossier. The whole issue cannot be blamed on one individual but the whole group, a fact that explains that the degree of effectiveness of the committee has some flaws in its operations. The Committee has had major issue in carrying out intelligent analysis and assessments. The whole intelligent process has been rated, a task that is not carried out by mere individuals but scholars in the sector. In the case of UK, the entire system has been considered as a job done to satisfy the government and not by the will of the members of the committee (Phythian, Gill & Marrin, 2008, pp 202). From the response of the Butler’s team, the reasons behind the Iraq’s dossier can be indicated to the failure of the entire team might not have been at work, a risk that saw the risk the whole committee place the entire country at risk. However, it is important to note that, the structure of the whole committee was put under discussion and the requirements to change the structure completely. The Iraq case would not be a failure if the whole case was studied under one case; thus make it easier to understand. Murphy (2008, pp.1) argues that the structural issues of the system have hampered the functioning of the Committee. The failure of this system to handle the Iraq issue is an explanation of a deeper and an underlying issue that is demoralizing the system. From the Butler review, the major issue that has taken over the whole committee is the management of the SIS. An understanding of the functionality of the Committee can be understood on the study of chronological events that have taken shape in the management of the Joint Intelligence Committee. By 2002, the whole system could be indicated as a complete breakdown. Shedding light on the Iraq case it is justified to argue that the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) may have been a result of the failure of the management to perform its roles to the letter. In fact, the breakdown of the whole system did not only begin during the Iraq’s case but has had a long history of breakdown since the 1990s.Other analysts argue that, the Iraq case came just in time to explain the ineffectiveness of the system, and the need by the government to come up with new systems that would work towards improving the whole system. The drawbacks of this system have over the years outweighed the strengths and abilities of the Committee to ensure that London is safe in terms of the security. 8.0. Conclusion Conclusively, this case study aims to look at the Joint Intelligence committee in detail by tracing the roots of its existence to its functionality. From the case study, the conceptions of the operations of the Committee and the relationship with its so called clients, who are the citizens. Various analysts have shed light on the importance of the Committee to the citizens through the government. The central operating mechanism has received a lot of good will from numerous researchers, who term the Committee as the most imperative form of intelligent operation in the UK. On another angle, the Joint Intelligent Committee needs a lot of reassessment from the Iraq’s dossier. Trahair (2004, pp.37) indicates that, in as much a lot of praise has been dedicated to this Committee, it is not possible that the entire system has not had flaws in its operation. The kind of information that circulates within the Committee’s cycle at times is completely different from is perceived to be. The activities that may be indicated normal by many individuals may not seem the way that the Committee operates. ‘Stovepiping’ has been indicated to be the major activity behind operation of the Joint Intelligence Committee. This term relates to the fact that the committee has to undergo lengthy processes so as to have the final decisions made by the entire committee. A summary of the Iraq’s dossier would mean that the Committee lacks the necessary expertise to run security issues of the entire country. As the Butler report suggest, it is important that the Joint Intelligence Committee restructures its operations and comes up with the best solution towards dealing with security issues in the country. Steele (2004, pp.267) argues that the intelligence machinery therefore, can be summarized as a tool that needs analysis and total refurbishing, for it to function in a sensible and comprehensive manner. 9.0. References Aldrich, J, 1992, British intelligence, strategy, and the cold war, 1945-51,London: Routledge publishers. Aldrich, R, 1998, Espionage, security, and intelligence in Britain, 1945-1970, Manchester: Manchester University Press ND. Beetham, D, & Weir, S, 1999, Political power and democratic control in Britain: the democratic audit of the United Kingdom, London: Routledge. Butler, R, & Lord Butler of Brockwell, 2004, Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction. London: The Stationery Office. Grant, M, 2009, The British way in cold warfare: intelligence, diplomacy and the bomb, 1945-1975. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. Hastedt, G, &Guerrier, S, 2010, Spies, Wiretaps, and Secret Operations: A-J. London: ABC-CLIO Publishers. Herman, M, 2001, Intelligence services in the information age: theory and practice, London: Routledge. Howells, K, 2010, Intelligence and Security Committee annual report 2008-2009. New York: The Stationery Office Publishers. Johnson, L, 2007, Strategic Intelligence: Understanding the hidden side of government, New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Laquer, W, 1993, The uses and limits of intelligence, London: Transaction Publishers. Murphy, P, 2008, Intelligence and Security Committee annual report 2006-2007, New York: The Stationery Office Publishers. Phythian, M, 2005, ‘Still a Matter of Trust: Post 9/11 British Intelligence and Political Culture’, International Journal of Intelligence and Counter-intelligence, 18 (4), 653–81. Phythian, M, Gill, P, & Marrin, S, 2008, Intelligence theory: key questions and debates, New York: Taylor & Francis. Simkins, C, & Hinsley, H, 1990 pp.259, British Intelligence in the Second World War: Volume 4, Security and Counter-Intelligence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Smith, S, Smith, M, & White, B, 1988 pp.80, British foreign policy: tradition, change, and transformation, London: Routledge. Steele, R, 2004, ‘Information Peacekeeping and the Future of Intelligence’, International Journal of Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence, 17 (2), 265–85. Trahair, R, 2004,pp.37, Encyclopedia of Cold War espionage, spies, and secret operations, New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. William, G, Lee, J, & Burnham, J, 2000, At the centre of Whitehall: advising the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 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