A new decade is beginning. This is the time that has been allotted for us to live and although we could long for other times, this is the one we have to live in. If we look through each of its windows: economic, political social, international, educational, sanitary, environmental, etc., we could achieve a quite rightful analysis of what has been done and of what is happening. Being conscious about the fact that, if we find the truth, at least we will achieve a faithful as possible understanding of reality. Moreover, we cannot forget that Intelligence can be prostituted and sold to the highest bidder. It is known that we never had all the answers, as we never asked all the right questions. In these times, we consider the understanding of the world in which we are living to be a priority, as we want to understand our reality to be able to better decide and orient ourselves. Everything is happening too fast these days and, together with all the amount of information and data that surrounds everything, we struggle to find the guiding thread in our world.
To the regret of some political leaders who choose “protectionism” and “de-globalization” and promise “perfect futures” when reality is imperfect, today’s world is globalization. Globalization is the present, the moment we are living in, and society is the playing field of our time. Connectivity has become something normal of everyday and the concept of global village has never been more real. Never before has there been so much awareness that we live in the same planet and that everything is connected with everything. Perhaps that is why one of our most common mistakes is not to believe in what is, and globalization is. It is the present, notwithstanding the intentions of de-globalization campaigns by leaders who preach: “from now on, it’s going to be America first.” However, it is worth remembering that national pride, as almost everything in life, is beneficial in the right doses.
If this is like this, the questions that needs to be raised is: Can the problems be confronted individually? Does it not appear to be truer that today’s world problems cannot be solved within the boundaries of the Nation-State? We consider that awareness and political will are needed to confront, stop or resolve today’s problems of humanity. John Donne already reminded us about this and poet Ernert Hemingway recounted it in his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls: “No man is an Iland, intire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the maine; … any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee … ” Today, the incapacity to see or feel the “other” (individual or nation) as part of our own extension is a serious mistake. No one questions nowadays the fact that our world is better off than in past epochs. Many of the core issues that humanity has been concerned about over the centuries have drastically improved and society is more aware and conscious in other matters. Consequently, the more things are being solved about the well-being of people, the stronger and unbearable become those shortcomings, failures, and defects that remain. Without being exhaustive, as it has already been mentioned, we are starting a new decade marked by the problems of climate change and its emergency, inequality, and its corresponding social protests, a non-stopping migration crisis, the rising intentions of de-globalization and populism, political corruption, and the lack of self-criticism. The mere fact of belonging to a democracy does not serve as an example of “moral authority.” We frequently forget that democracy does not only mean to vote every 4 years, it is also an attitude and a way of life that is based on values which are meant to enrich citizens. In the same way, it is striking how governments appeal more and more on security issues in order to control the Internet and ultimately their citizens. At this point, another battlefield fought between web content emerges: the fake news. We are observing how the lie is being normalized without any type of shame. Internet has not only proven to be the space of freedom. On another note, the media, with some honorable exceptions, seems to be more interested in entertainment and “killing us with pleasure,” than in training critical citizens. Moreover, not to mention the both hopeful and worrying triple union composed by biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. It is a mistake to think that what we program is neutral. Is it true that whoever controls the data has the power? Although the political world has always been characterized by force (the big fish eats the small fish), we now find ourselves with leaders who do not have any kind of trouble in using that force through the economic, political, technological, or commercial arena (we can speak openly about “trade war”). These politicians do not have any shame in putting into circulation the so-called “alternative facts” nor to respect international agreements when these do not fit their interests, putting trust into question. When our politicians cover up interests and decisions under the umbrella of “national emergency” or “national security” these concepts and its implications are being devaluated. Which model of a leader and policy is this that does not include the moral component?
In light of this rough approach to reality, those gathered at the last World Economic Forum in Davos gave the alert of the necessity to carry out profound reforms in the actual system if we want to preserve its positive aspects. There are only two possible options: first, to radically reform and reformulate the existing system, and second, to allow everything to continue growing (inequality, environmental degradation, poverty …) with the respective implications.
All this is generating on one side insecurity and on the other side, dissatisfaction, and mistrust in the institutions and political parties that should give an explanation but feel unable to. They do not give any hope. Moreover, insecurity added with dissatisfaction result in fear. Under these circumstances that we are living in, the essential step remains in understanding. The capacity to comprehend and understand reality in order to better deicide and orient us is not capable without good analysis. Therefore, there is a necessity to work in preparing better analysts who are capable of providing intelligence analysis that helps take decisions to bring forward actions and projects that help us live freer and more secure.
Any analysis that does not help us make better decisions is an “impostor.” The sophists of the 21st century laid the foundations of persuasion through fake news. What do we have left now? We are left with good analysis. The main danger lies in the notion that our analysis can become something merely technical in the name of a “greater objectivity.” It is a mistake to believe that solutions can be solely found in technology: algorithms, data, etc. It is betting all to a “technical analysis.” Human beings and their problems are not homogeneous and therefore, technology cannot be the definitive answer. It is something much more complex and richer.
All along with this fervor for technology, we are also able to find the “infantilization of the citizenry.” Citizens are largely illiterate in Intelligence matters and in the main issues which concerned their Intelligence Services. In addition, the citizenry tends to demand heroes such as those who starred in “007,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Bourne,” etc. With a biased view of reality which reveals that what they do in the name of our security is the best. It is undeniable that an “Intelligence Culture” is needed, as well as the rethinking, by the Intelligence Services, of their “mission-vision-values” that adjusts to the era we currently live in.
In a democratically mature society, each and every one of its institutions should not stop wondering continuously and constantly about their “mission – vision – values.” Our institutions, as time goes by, tend to produce routines, raise doubts, and lose both flexibility and agility of response. That is why Intelligence Services are faced with the challenge of evolving in order to survive. They need to reset themselves and change if they do not want to become obsolete – ”die with pleasure” of looking at themselves when they consider to be untouchable or invincible – or lose competencies when they are absorbed by other organisms. A whole series of layers have been deposited on Intelligence Services, one on top of the other, which have been covering up and hiding what their mission, vision, and values are in a 21st century rule of law society. Intelligence Services can no longer work with concepts that presuppose both a world and problems that are not the correct ones. Similarly, although the digital transformation has become necessary for Intelligence Services, it must be said that, even though it is important, it is not enough. We need to go further. The fundamental questions remain: What is the meaning of Intelligence Services in our current society? What are the ways of “being” in the world of Intelligence Services; of “being” in a 21st century democracy. It is to provide a reason of how to walk in the world with its most negative things in an intelligent way and not in a crude way. In order to understand Intelligence Services, it is crucial to understand the democracies in which they operate.
A great initiative: the Intelligence College in Europe
There is no doubt that Intelligence Services need to have a “monopoly” on certain issues, and no sensible person would question this idea. In addition, they need to be “unique” in certain respects if they are to be truly effective. However, at the same time, they must be practical in the longer term, answering to the needs of our current time. To this end, Intelligence Services must work to generate value among all their stakeholders and society and must be one of the most relevant ones. The Intelligence Services need to become aware that one of the most urgent and important tasks is their relationship with the society (including all its areas) in which they are embedded and which they claim to serve.
Intelligence Services and the society have always been there for each other; either ignoring, using or mistrusting each other. Nowadays, it is no longer useful to put on “glasses” to convince ourselves that the solution to what is happening to us can only be found in one single part; or that my analysis is the only one which reflects the sense of reality. We need to look at the whole picture. We are in an urgent need to consolidate the relationship between the Intelligence Services and society in order to achieve better collaboration and better analysis. If we are able to achieve this, we will be able to create a better Europe. To this end, we must offer a new transformative story so that Intelligence Services can integrate what has been excluded until now: society.
Designing an initiative through which this integrative relationship between Intelligence Services and society is effective is great news and a unique opportunity. As the saying goes, “prejudice is always the child of ignorance.” That is why eliminating prejudice, which is the main goal of this initiative, is something very valuable and very important to take into account.
On September 26, 2017, during a speech at the Sorbonne, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an “Intelligence Academy in Europe” to promote the emergence of a common strategic culture and to strengthen the links between the intelligence communities of our countries through training and exchange. The proposal was later known as “College of Intelligence in Europe.” The opening session took place in March 2019 and brought together more than 330 people, including 66 Intelligence Services and 51 Heads of Departments, 12 National Intelligence coordinators, and 13 High-level representatives of the European Union.
Ever since, the College has organized a first thematic seminar on “Intelligence and the European Union,” which provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between Intelligence professionals from across Europe, European policymakers, and academics. This seminar has been followed by other meetings, among which it is important to highlight the one held in Madrid in January 2020 in collaboration with the Research Center for Intelligence Services and Democratic Systems. With the aim of encouraging public debate on Intelligence at its main core.
Initiatives like these are the ones that foster the already mentioned objective of connecting society with the Intelligence Services and this is the path that needs to be followed.