Intelligence studies is aninterdisciplinary academic field that concernsintelligence assessment andintelligence analysis. Intelligence has been referred to as the "lost dimension" of the fields ofinternational relations (IR) anddiplomatic history, as the secretive nature of the subject means most intelligence successes are unknown.[1]
Among theacademic journals concentrating on the subject are theIntelligence and National Security andInternational Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence while other periodicals in the fields of IR andsecurity studies, such asInternational Security, publish articles concerned with intelligence studies regularly.
Many universities, such asAberystwyth, teach intelligence studies as an independent degree or as part of courses in IR, security studies,military science or related subjects.[2]
Until recently, IR scholars had limited interest in intelligence assessment. Even historical strategists such asClausewitz andMachiavelli paid scant attention to intelligence.[3] In British universities, intelligence studies developed withininternational history departments, while in US institutions it became the preserve ofpolitical science, and even then the subject was approached in terms ofpublic policy and decision-making rather than IR.[4] Recently attempts to connect intelligence studies withinternational relations theory have emerged, such as Andrew Rathmell's work on apostmodern theory of intelligence.[4]
According to a 2020 forum inInternational Studies Review, there are five factors that have generally been important in the development of intelligence studies subfields in different countries: "access to relevant government information, institutionalization of research on intelligence and security in a higher education setting, periodic scientific meetings and networks, teaching and learning opportunities, and engagement between researchers and practitioners."[5]
