Intelligence (information)

Not to be confused with Intelligence field.

Intelligence, or simply "Intel," refers to primary information and data gathered, evaluated, assessed, analyzed, and interpreted by members of the intelligence field to provide insight into the power projection, intentions, and activities of adversarial, neutral, and allied governments, organizations, or individuals. Unlike raw data, intelligence is processed and contextualized through the intelligence cycle to support decision-making in areas such as national defense, diplomacy, law enforcement, and security operations. This information can be sourced from many areas and can take many forms, including reports, intercepted communications, satellite imagery, or human-sourced observations—and is used to anticipate threats, assess risks, and guide strategic planning.

Phases of the intelligence cycle under intelligence cycle management and other phases of intelligence include;

• Espionage (the act of gathering intelligence)
• Intelligence analysis
• Intelligence assessment

Defining intelligence

See also: Intelligence studies

The original definition of intelligence (in English) was as to be synonymous with journalism and news, and has morphed and transformed into whatever uses it has today.^[1][2] (Hence the name of many newspapers today called "The Intelligencer.")

That modern definition of intelligence as "knowledge of the enemy" is considered problematic.^[3][4] Scholars argue that it does not include any sort of inclusion of who gathers intelligence and for what purpose.^[5] Can police detectives, inspectors, or federal agents be considered as gathering intelligence? In which case, what is the difference between a spy and a detective?^[6] Who is the enemy?^[7]

For centuries, there has been no single definition of intelligence, nor indeed espionage.^[8] The definition depends on the scholar, the practitioner, the government, the citizen, or any of the other stakeholders who might be making remarks upon the practices of spies or intelligence agencies.^[9] Some scholars have written that the definition of intelligence is confused by the fact that intelligence agencies today are engaged in many more activities than intelligence gathering,^[10]and ask whether Sabotage, Deception, Counterintelligence, Analysis, Financial intelligence, Propaganda, and even Assassination might be considered all forms of espionage. Is intelligence a product, or process?^[11]

Scholars have also been eager to point out that the United States Intelligence Community does not own the definition of intelligence, nor espionage.^[12]