Towards more rigorous analysis

As of late I have been reading and enjoying Kent’s Imperative, a blog about “the art & science of intelligence analysis.” One of my favourite “thinking blogs” Zenpundit turned me on to them and I must say these guys produce high quality posts every day.

The title of the blog is a reference to Sherman Kent, “the father of intelligence analysis”. I have mentioned Kent before on Coming Anarchy. Analytical rigor is the holy grail for paper-pushing spooks. Kent’s Imperative discusses many of the difficulties facing analysts in their quest; for example problems with visual tools, working environment and defining the problem. Many of the same problems were tackled in my regional analysis class at RMC. I don’t know who these guys are, but their posts are well-written and very informative. If you are at all interested in the nuts and bolts of how intelligence analysis is done, this blog is highly recommended.

Added to the CA blogroll.

ADDENDUM: The Danger Room on the IC hemorrhaging talent to contractors. KI also has more on the failing HR processes of the IC.