{"product_id":"enemies-of-intelligence-knowledge-and-power-in-american-national-security-9780231138895","title":"Enemies of Intelligence: Knowledge and Power in American National Security","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe tragic events of September 11  2001  and the false assessment of Saddam Husseins weapons arsenal were terrible reminders that good information is essential to national security. These failures convinced the American public that their intelligence system was broken and prompted a radical reorganization of agencies and personnel  but as Richard K. Betts argues in this book  critics and politicians have severely underestimated the obstacles to true reform.  One of the nations foremost political scientists  Betts draws on three decades of work within the U.S. intelligence community to illuminate the paradoxes and problems that frustrate the intelligence process. Unlike Americas efforts to improve its defenses against natural disasters  strengthening its strategic assessment capabilities means outwitting crafty enemies who operate beyond U.S. borders. It also requires looking within to the organizational and political dynamics of collecting information and determining its implications for policy.  Combining academic research with personal experience  Betts outlines strategies for better intelligence gathering and assessment. He describes how fixing one malfunction can create another; in what ways expertise can be both a vital tool and a source of error and misjudgment; the pitfalls of always striving for accuracy in intelligence  which in some cases can render it worthless; the danger  though unavoidable  of \"politicizing\" intelligence; and the issue of secrecywhen it is excessive  when it is insufficient  and how limiting privacy can in fact protect civil liberties.  Betts argues that when it comes to intelligence  citizens and politicians should focus less on consistent solutions and more on achieving a delicate balance between conflicting requirements. He also emphasizes the substantial success of the intelligence community  despite its well-publicized blunders  and highlights elements of the intelligence process that need preservation and protection. Many reformers are quick to respond to scandals and failures without detailed  historical knowledge of how the system works. Grounding his arguments in extensive theory and policy analysis  Betts takes a comprehensive and realistic look at how knowledge and power can work together to face the intelligence challenges of the twenty-first century.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45789682040885,"sku":"ByrdShop_023113889X","price":22.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780231138895.jpg?v=1784694404","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/enemies-of-intelligence-knowledge-and-power-in-american-national-security-9780231138895","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}