Intelligence and State Surveillance in Modern Societies

The following is the foreword of the second edition of Intelligence and State Surveillance in Modern Societies: An International Perspective, by Frederic Lemieux, Ph.D., faculty director of the master’s programs in Applied Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Management, Cybersecurity Risk Management, and Information Technology Management.

The book aligns well with the Georgetown University Master’s in Applied Intelligence and Master’s in Cybersecurity Risk Management programs. For Applied Intelligence students, its focus on inter-agency cooperation and the integration of national security and law enforcement intelligence offers valuable insights—core topics in the program. The sections on Cyber Threat Intelligence and AI in intelligence operations directly support the Cybersecurity Risk Management program by providing relevant context for managing modern cyber threats and understanding intelligence’s critical role in national security.

Intelligence and State Surveillance in Modern Societies: An International Perspective

The second edition of Intelligence and State Surveillance in Modern Societies: An International Perspective offers an expansive look into how intelligence practices and state surveillance have evolved to address both domestic and international security threats. With substantial updates, including new chapters on inter-agency cooperation, cyber threat intelligence (CTI), and post-9/11 counter-terrorism measures, this edition reflects the most current global security dynamics.

The book begins by outlining the Nature and Structure of Intelligence, providing an essential overview of how intelligence agencies today are organized and operate. The core principles of intelligence work—such as gathering, processing, and analyzing information—are explored in depth to explain how raw data is transformed into actionable insights. A key update in this edition is its emphasis on police cooperation, both within national borders and internationally. As security challenges often cross jurisdictions, intelligence sharing between police and security agencies has become increasingly critical. This new focus highlights how intelligence underpins modern law enforcement strategies, demonstrating the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration.

One of the key strengths of this edition is its updated analysis of National Security Intelligence in the Five Eyes Countries—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This section examines how the intelligence agencies in these countries have adapted structurally, with mission shifts and organizational reforms reflecting the evolving nature of global threats. A particular emphasis is placed on how these nations collaborate through intelligence sharing, showcasing the importance of international partnerships in combating modern security challenges. Expanding on this theme of collaboration, the book includes a new chapter on Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP), a concept that has gained traction globally. ILP marks a shift from traditional reactive policing methods to more proactive, intelligence-driven decision-making. This chapter explores how different countries have implemented ILP, offering insights into the cultural and structural distinctions that shape its adoption.

 

The chapter on National and Transnational Policing is another significant addition, examining how cooperation between national law enforcement agencies and international bodies has become crucial in today’s security landscape. The role of the private sector in supporting intelligence operations has also grown, with private entities increasingly complementing state efforts in data gathering and analysis. This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of how these partnerships function and their potential to strengthen security efforts. Further emphasizing the value of inter-agency collaboration, the book includes a case study on International Drug Trafficking and Police Cooperation, focusing on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) operations. This section illustrates how intelligence plays a pivotal role in transnational investigations, particularly in combating large-scale drug trafficking operations. The case study highlights how intelligence sharing among international partners can lead to more effective enforcement and disruption of criminal networks, showcasing the DEA’s effectiveness as an example of broader intelligence collaboration trends.

A significant new feature in this edition is the chapter on International Counter-Terrorism, focusing on the U.S. perspective. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, intelligence operations underwent profound changes, and this chapter analyzes the legislative and organizational reforms that reshaped the U.S. intelligence community. It also examines the expanded role of technology in counter-terrorism operations, as well as the ethical dilemmas associated with increased surveillance activities.

Also, the book also dedicates a full chapter to cyber threat intelligence (CTI), a field that has grown exponentially in recent years. CTI integrates traditional intelligence methods with cybersecurity practices to address modern threats like cyber espionage and cyber warfare. Given the growing risks posed by state-sponsored cyber-attacks and other malicious cyber activities, this chapter provides a comprehensive look at how intelligence operations are conducted in cyberspace and how they are crucial to protecting both national infrastructure and private enterprises.

The book explores how AI is increasingly being leveraged to enhance intelligence capabilities, particularly in processing large datasets and identifying patterns that would be difficult for human analysts to detect. However, this technological advancement raises ethical questions, particularly around privacy and surveillance. The book carefully balances the discussion between security benefits and the potential civil liberties infringements, offering a critical reflection on the ethical considerations surrounding AI in surveillance.

The final chapter provides a thought-provoking review of key Moral and Ethical Considerations in intelligence work. It focuses on the ongoing tension between intelligence practices and privacy rights, particularly in the face of growing surveillance capabilities. This section underscores the importance of maintaining civil liberties while also ensuring national security, offering a nuanced exploration of how states attempt to balance these often conflicting priorities.