Introduction
Intelligence disciplines have become important tools in aiding collection of pertinent information that poses a threat to national security. Open Source Intelligence Service (OSINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Measurement and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) are good examples of intelligence disciplines.
These disciplines are used by the United States of America to collect vital information regarding various nations like Iran that have been involved in manufacturing nuclear weapons that threaten the security (Rublee 2).
Applicable Intelligence Disciplines
OSINT is an intelligence discipline that scrutinizes certain materials that have been made accessible to the public. This serves as a stepping stone towards assisting the United States to collect important information available to the Iranian citizens and the world population at large.
This kind of intelligence discipline aids the Soviet Union to derive up to 90 percent of its intelligence (Rickwards 23). Further, it ensures that large quantity of data is gathered in a bid to come up with well structured information. The information should meet the threshold laid down by the advisory collector. In addition, OSINT relay vital information that exhibits the potential of the activities in an organization.
Further, the information provided pertaining that particular organization cannot be derived from any other source. This simplifies the mode of classifying data and deriving trade assets as a result of compiling an open source data. It is therefore arguable that OSINT is one of the main intelligence sources applicable in detecting early disasters through the data collected. Accordingly, collection of OSINT data is not limited.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is another imperative intelligence discipline which leverage gathering of necessary information regarding nuclear weapons produced in Iran. Human intelligence has been associated with open sources. The intelligence engages in obscured activities on the one hand, and the persons behind the intelligence sources on the other. It is also not in doubt that unconcealed behaviors are executed in an open arena. Various activities under the intelligence may include making use of uncategorized or forum materials.
Other activities entail working in the interrogation centers for refugees and captives of war and also debriefing legal travelers who are of interest to a nation’s intelligence services. Furthermore, clandestine sources relay information to a foreign nation which is imperative in providing necessary information about a nation’s involvement in manufacturing nuclear weapons and foreign citizens who creep into a country to conduct a research.
United States has clandestine sources in Iran that are vital in providing the nation with crucial information on Iran’s involvement in nuclear weapons which can be a threat to US and world’s security. Further, even with the outburst of practical aptitude in the nation, HUMINT intelligence is still in the lead in the provision of technical information that is not accessible to most technical collectors. A good example is providing information regarding the access of internal memoranda and to screen-off area information.
This is very vital for United States’ intelligence services as they are in a position to track information on Iran’s involvement in nuclear manufacturing even if it tries to conceal that particular information to the public. Moreover, HUMINT is important as it has the capability of closely monitoring the plans of the enemy. It is also used to reveal the progress of manufacturing scientific weapons prior to their usage or detection by any other technical system.
HUMINT also provides data on certain issues that entail such subjects with specific knowledge in regards to cases relating to defectors and spies. In addition, it relays crucial information to which it gained access. This is a very important step in helping United States acquire crucial information regarding Iran involvement in nuclear weapons. The intelligence discipline also deals in information that is highly regarded in interpersonal relations.
This can be critical in providing pertinent information on Iran. HUMINT is also observant on foreigners who are entering the country particularly from Iran. According to Drogin, HUMINT has several intelligence collection agents such as reconnaissance troops who are guarded and equipped to conduct HUMINT operations (5).
Under the same agency, there is the counterintelligence agency that ensures higher gathering abilities over any previous division or contingent level asset. It is of importance that the tactical level is not overemphasized with IBCT organization. This is because the CI asset organic to conventional units at the squad tactical level have the capability which is unique to IBCT and that is important in the United States Army.
Drogin further states that HUMINT has another agent known as platoon which is an element of the brigade military intelligence company (23). The said company sustains the processes and upholds a dominion connection of administrative power. The principal acumen is contained within the strategic HUMINT agencies. Once information has been collected under this agency, it is reported to the management team which analyses the intelligence data gathered by the tactical team.
This is very vital especially when collecting vital data on countries such as Iran that are actively engaged in manufacturing nuclear weapons. The Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) is an operational tool under the HUMINT that revolves around collecting vital information from one level to another. The tool is uniquely designed to collect and disseminate vital information either in audio or oral form that is deemed valuable to the process. This is a very vital step in acquiring important data on countries involved in nuclear weapons.
MASINT is another important intelligence tool which influence collection of information regarding nations like Iran’s involvement in nuclear weapon production. MASINT is vital as a means of obtaining and analyzing data through its special technical sensors.
This is attributed to its ability of classifying the important data that is correlated with the source emitter. This is very instrumental in aiding US crack down on Iran’s involvement in Nuclear weapons. United States is in a position to pick out specific people involved in manufacturing nuclear weapons in Iran and ascertaining the nature of weapons produced.
MASINT has also been praised due to its unique capability of identifying important information that could not be detected by sensors. This serves as a vital step in exposing closed information regarding nuclear weapons produced in Iran. It also reveals essential information that is considered to be inferior. According to intelligence Resource Program, MASINT works hand in hand with defense department of United States to ensure a harmonization collection effort for the intelligence discipline.
This is very essential in enhancing efficient collection of information regarding Iran’s involvement in Nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the inception of the MASINT data management program was for the sole purpose of providing accurate information. This acts as a bigger step in aiding collection of intelligence information regarding Iran and other related nations’ involvement in manufacturing of weapons.
The Intelligence Resource Program, which has been placed under the responsibility of the MASINT Army, resides with the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). The duty to assemble and develop data in MASINT has been placed on the scientific and technical intelligence team. The team is actively involved in its role hence portraying its ideal dedication to achieve maximum positive results in the project. This is a very vital step in collecting relevant information on nuclear.
SIGINT serves as another important intelligence discipline which is used to control collection of information about a country’s involvement in manufacturing of weapons.
This intelligence discipline makes use of certain integrated signal intercepts. The signals are used to capture messages that are transmitted in various forms. Information can also be gathered through fibre optic or such other means. Most communications under SIGINT are encrypted. They also typically require sophisticated computer technology for description which helps to maintain privacy and confidentiality of information.
United States is in a position to get vital information regarding Iran involvement in nuclear weapons by applying this intelligence discipline and through other various platforms. Such platforms include covert locations inside United States. According to Intelligence threat handbook, SIGINT can monitor transmission from community satellite as well as terrestrial facilities (OPSEC 36).
It therefore becomes of essence that the information regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons is leveraged. The establishment of Army Signal Intelligence Service (SIS), which consolidates all operations related to the case of Iran, is in a position to penetrate easily into a foreign nation. This was evident during the World War II when the United Nation through SIS, which is operated under SIGNT, penetrated in Japan.
GEOINT has also been recognized as having a key role in the intelligence community and defense (Lahneman 23). GEOINT examines and gives an analysis of the visual account that correlates to security actions. The analysis combines all the aspects of the imagery intelligence and the geospatial news.
GEOINT uses imagery satellites to study the nuclear production in Iran. The imagery is currently obtained from an array of sensors. The imagery is vital to collect intelligent information. A proper installed imagery provides an accurate platform for targeting the weapon’s location. Secondly, it further gives a lee way to detect peculiar activities pertaining to the manufacturing of nuclear weapons in Iran.
GEOINT allows the intelligence team to gather and produce information in an electronic manner or optical means and further relay the information garnered on display gadgets. It is therefore arguable that the intelligence concerns itself with imagery concepts that allow for easy collection and procession of data. This also ensures easy retrieval of all imagery activities that are considered of utmost important to assess any kind of threat that has been detected.
Conclusion
It is not in doubt that Iran is still actively engaged in assembling nuclear weapons. Though it has not been directly communicated whether the weapons pose a threat to the security of the nation or not, the same cannot be dismissed. It is therefore important to collect and disseminate information relating to the manufacture of nuclear weapons. The five disciplines therefore play a vital role to ensure that the same is achieved.
Works Cited
Drogin, Bob 2005, How U.S Fell Under the Spell of Curveball. PDF file. 2 Apr. 2013.
Lahneman, William. Keeping U.S Intelligence Effective, Plymouth, 2011. Print.
OPSEC. Intelligence Threat Handbook, New York: Diane Publishers, 1996. Print.
Rickwards, James. Currency Wars: The making of the Next Global Crisis, London: Penguin Group, 2012. Print.
Rublee, Maria. Non- Proliferation Norms: Why States Choose Nuclear Restraints, New York: University of Georgia Press, 2010. Print.