DAFF 25A77 - The Evolution of the US Intelligence Community since 1947

Intelligence is an underlying and critical factor in the conduct of foreign policy. The US intelligence community is a case in point. From the Vietnam War to the Irangate up until the invasion of Iraq and the killing of Osama Bin Laden, intelligence has played a crucial role in US policy in the second half of the 20th and early 21st Century. Yet, intelligence is elusive: the strength of the US intelligence apparatus does not always bring success in analysis and operations, and globalization as well as emerging technologies seem to question the added-value of intelligence bureaucracies. This class will explore US intelligence history to discuss intelligence practices and challenges. The educational aim of this course is twofold. First, it will familiarize undergraduate students with the main actors of US intelligence and national security decision-making (intelligence agencies, National Intelligence Estimates, National Security Council, etc.). Second, it will introduce them to the main concepts of the intelligence world and of the field of intelligence studies (intelligence analysis, covert actions, counterespionage, intelligence and policy-making, intelligence cooperation, etc.). This agenda will be fulfilled using an applied history approach which will draw a journey starting with the birth of the CIA in 1947 to the current war in Ukraine. At the end of this course, students should be able to: - Understand the role of intelligence in US foreign policy - Critically discuss the ways to observe and understand intelligence news and practices - Understand the multi-faceted nature of intelligence tradecraft - Understand the challenges faced by US intelligence in the near future - Discuss and debate key concepts pertaining to the subfield of intelligence studies

Clément RENAULT,Fabien LAURENCON

Séminaire

English

There is no prerequisite for this class, but previous knowledge of international relations history and theories, and of the American political system will be a plus.

Spring 2022-2023

The assessment is composed of three inter-related activities: - An individual oral presentation on a predetermined US intelligence topic or historical case (45%) - A written paper on a technical, historical, or biographical topic related to US intelligence (45%) - Participation in and commitment to the course will account for the remaining 10% of the final grade.