I'll have to read this for an interesting comparison to a similar volume written and published in the wake of WW2 - Front-Line Intellgience by Lt Colonel Stedman Chandler and Colonel Robert W. Robb, published in 1946 by The Infantry Journal. A very interesting read itself being informed by their experiences in the war.
Front-Line Intelligence is a great book which I believe is still relevant today. My motivation for writing Practicing Intelligence is much the same, to deliver valuable lessons and insights in a useful format.
I think you will find some common themes in both works and little disagreement. The key difference is Practicing Intelligence covers a somewhat broader field. Particularly the challenges in dealing with the technology and larger Intel Community bureaucracy that didn’t really exist during WW Il
I like this and I'll check it out. Would be good to hear Colonel Oliver talk about the application of his experience to upcoming Armed Forces engagement with cartel in Mexico... and domestically.
Would especially like his perspective on sharing intelligence with privateers under the aegis of Letters of Marque and Reprisal.
I can’t claim any recent specialized expertise related to drug cartels, but the concepts and principles outlined in the book would I believe be directly applicable. Particularly those sections on organizing for intelligence operations and working with partners and allies.
Any effective counter drug (CD) operation will necessitate close cooperation with a variety on non military and possibly non state actors. And that will require intelligence sharing.
I’m not sure that the use of privateers in the CD realm would help much as smugglers are not flagging their vessels or otherwise identifying them as cartel vessels. I believe the issue is less the ability to stop a smuggling vessel, so much as the ability to identify it. But again it’s been decades since I was directly involved in pure CD operations. Besides indirectly with operations in Afghanistan where the opium trade was a significant factor in Taliban support.
Whether military direct action against drug cartels is a good idea or not is a separate question
That's great - Tim has a lot to share. Good question on the applicable parallels of his lessons to the cartel problem, and we'll pass along your other question regarding info sharing with privateers.
I'll have to read this for an interesting comparison to a similar volume written and published in the wake of WW2 - Front-Line Intellgience by Lt Colonel Stedman Chandler and Colonel Robert W. Robb, published in 1946 by The Infantry Journal. A very interesting read itself being informed by their experiences in the war.
Front-Line Intelligence is a great book which I believe is still relevant today. My motivation for writing Practicing Intelligence is much the same, to deliver valuable lessons and insights in a useful format.
I think you will find some common themes in both works and little disagreement. The key difference is Practicing Intelligence covers a somewhat broader field. Particularly the challenges in dealing with the technology and larger Intel Community bureaucracy that didn’t really exist during WW Il
As a student of military history and a former intelligence analyst I did find it very informative, glad to hear it held up even better than I thought!
If Tim Oliver wrote it, then I want to read it! Col Oliver is the consummate practitioner of Intelligence. Hitting Amazon right now.
I like this and I'll check it out. Would be good to hear Colonel Oliver talk about the application of his experience to upcoming Armed Forces engagement with cartel in Mexico... and domestically.
Would especially like his perspective on sharing intelligence with privateers under the aegis of Letters of Marque and Reprisal.
I can’t claim any recent specialized expertise related to drug cartels, but the concepts and principles outlined in the book would I believe be directly applicable. Particularly those sections on organizing for intelligence operations and working with partners and allies.
Any effective counter drug (CD) operation will necessitate close cooperation with a variety on non military and possibly non state actors. And that will require intelligence sharing.
I’m not sure that the use of privateers in the CD realm would help much as smugglers are not flagging their vessels or otherwise identifying them as cartel vessels. I believe the issue is less the ability to stop a smuggling vessel, so much as the ability to identify it. But again it’s been decades since I was directly involved in pure CD operations. Besides indirectly with operations in Afghanistan where the opium trade was a significant factor in Taliban support.
Whether military direct action against drug cartels is a good idea or not is a separate question
That's great - Tim has a lot to share. Good question on the applicable parallels of his lessons to the cartel problem, and we'll pass along your other question regarding info sharing with privateers.
The Amazon link for Oliver’s book
https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Intelligence-Providing-Support-Operations/dp/1724286412
Thanks for the link Dan -- FYI, the cover of the book in this post contained the link to the book as well. Happy reading!