ABSTRACT

There is general agreement that the collection and use of intelligence are effective tools in combatting terrorism. Ideally, the gathering of intelligence serves a preventive role and enables law enforcement officials to intercept terrorists at an early stage, before they inflict injury on persons or property. This has proven, however, to be a difficult goal to accomplish even with respect to purely private acts of terrorism that lack the added complication of state involvement. Once a state decides to lend its support, the complications increase.