"Strategic Intelligence depends primarily on open source information and provides a broad net assessed picture of the security environment.

Sun Tzu’s dictum ‘Know your enemy’ has great significance for dealing with the challenges of the 21st century. Whether it is the maintenance of politico-economic relationships or offensive-defensive military operations, the explorability of the scenario lies with the country that has better analysts with greater experience in Strategic Intelligence (STRATINT). STRATINT relates to the creation of a databank based on planning, collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of intelligence that is required for formulating policies. It is associated with the elements of foresight, visioning, systematic thinking, motivating and generating the potential to strengthen the decision-making approach of a country.
STRATINT is a well-established form of intelligence, principally an output of think tanks, which is different from targeted intelligence at the tactical and the operational levels. It differs from other intelligence sources, in that the source of information primarily comes from Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and provides a broad net assessed picture of the security environment. In addition, intelligence and analysis of risk-assessment covers a wide range of issues involving data collection, analysis, interpretation and speculative consideration of future threat perceptions.
Think tanks have a particularly important role in a world that is increasingly being shaped by information technology and in a world that is becoming more and more complex (…)
In the emerging, complex, security environment, STRATINT serves as a tool not only for commanders but also for policy-makers. No policy-maker can function effectively in the absence of factual data and a synergized understanding of the relevant problem for policy implementation. STRATINT and analysis are a key element in providing an enhanced level of understanding of the changing scenarios to both military and non-military leaders. Besides, it enables the transformation of the information input available into a comprehensively analysed strategic output for the decision making process (…)
There is a need for setting up a knowledge bank for policy formulation based on the ground realities. Here, think tanks can play a significant role and thus enable the generation of Strategic Intelligence."

 

Shivananda H
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses