The New York Times reports about the possible aftermath of the Israeli air strike on Syria last month, which supposedly destroyed a reactor under construction. They point to the speedy dismantling of the site - a site, not confirmed publicly by anyone as the site of the airstrike, whatever its target may have been - as proof that Syria is “guilty” and has “something to hide”.
In doing so, they’re making a grave but simple error.
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Doing some research about the government and military intelligence communities and what is referred to as “analytic tradecraft”, a notable omission in the available open-source references became apparent. Somewhat to my surprise, while every member of the intelligence community has an almost endless number of instructions, recommendations, and regulations about the analysis of information and intelligence, the legal and security considerations for intelligence products, and the proper dissemination and classification markings for intelligence products, there seems to be little in the way of actual instruction on how to actually write an intelligence report.
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Remember, kids; immature and irresponsible “postings” to the internet aren’t funny, or unimportant - they’re actually important aids whose “obscure consequences” include strengthening the resolve of our enemies, and increasing their ranks… at least, if you’re a Marine.
That’s what Sergeant Major Carlton Kent says, anyway, in a memo issued earlier this year (Adobe PDF file.) Quoth the Sergeant Major:
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Email lists are so 1990s, but they still persist as an effective, and efficient, means of disseminating information to a set audience in a relatively timely fashion. In a way, they’re the antithesis of websites; the information you (hopefully) want is delivered when the author wants, rather than when you request it. Most mailing lists have by now been supplemented, if not supplanted, by websites, and two I think everyone (well, everyone who reads this website) should know about are no exception.
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While it isn’t quite as great as some of their past special offers, Adorama Pix is offering a single free 8×10 print as a halloween special. The offer is good through the 28th of October, and requires coupon code PXHAWE07. I assume you still have to pay for the (quite reasonable) shipping…