ABSTRACT
All intelligence work begins with the fundamental and irresolvable contradiction of ‘assumed knowledge,’ whereby intelligence professionals create an impression of confidence and assurance despite their inability to acquire and process all, or even most, information about events in the world. The subjective experience of the analyst is essential to overcoming innumerable knowledge gaps, which will always exist regardless of new technologies that promise ubiquitous surveillance. Tradecraft standards and methodologies are subsequently superimposed on analytical efforts as part of a dialectic process, with institutions attempting to protect their reputations and market share, and analysts attempting to exercise their imagination and creativity.
