In my embargoed contribution to a pending book on reform, I argue that going the networked/wiki-ed/blogged route is both a nice way to cut out a lot of the overhead associated with the intel process. As it works now it is very hierarchical, with gatekeepers at every turn and operating at a pace that makes tortoises look speedy. The commonly referred to “intel cycle” is less a bicycle wheel as it is a millstone. Network the key players together and you get your bicycle wheel and a corresponding increase in speed and performance.

This post at PressThink describes one way to bring order to what I know old-school collection and production managers will say is a chaotic recipe for disaster. Obviously there will be no cash being exchanged, so prioritization and rewards will have to be worked out some other way, perhaps based in part on the NIPF and consumer-ranked quality of input (Ebay model). The nice thing is that efforts that would not make the cut in the old system – fringe stuff that many consider low or no priority – actually have a chance at seeing the light of day. Inevitably not everyone is in the perfect position to fulfill the top requirements. If you’ve got access and means and time, well, it beats sitting idle.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.