Intelligence Gathering

Assess the Effectiveness of Today’s Intelligence Capabilities in Anticipating
Future Global Threats to The Homeland From
The Russian Federation
A final paper is required in the form of an analysis of current U.S. capabilities and indications of possible future
threats. This Threat Assessment is to be prepared in the form of a thesis written for any type of intelligence
consumer, rather government (federal, state or local, including law enforcement) or private industry. The thesis should include your analysis of issues, concerns, and challenges that might be faced by the government or
business entity that you selected.
THREAT ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION
In the Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), October 2020, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Chad Wolf described the threat from Nation-states as including efforts to undermine, compromise or disrupt
infrastructure related to our elections, aggravate social and racial tensions, undermine trust in U.S. authorities
and criticize elected officers. Among the Nation-states, the HTA states that “Russia has been a persistent
threat by attempting to harm our democratic and election systems.” Beyond threats of the Russian Federation
interfering in US elections, Russia has also been described as an urgent threat due to its expanding weapons
programs and cybersecurity activity.
Considering Russia’s historical activities, select a Client, whether a U.S. agency, State or Local government
program executive, law enforcement executive, officials within the Military, or Industry CEOs or a Company’s
corporate Board of Directors, and explore the threatening capabilities of Russia, along with its emerging global
influence on your Client.
Prepare a detailed threat assessment, including possible challenges and concerns your Client may not yet
have anticipated, of the Russian threat to your Client.
As you prepare for the threat assessment, keep in mind the objectives of the class and the perspectives
gleaned through the class assignments. You may reuse research and cites from your own personal responses
to earlier Discussion Board topics, as well as research and cites offered in the class Modules, but do not use
citations from research conducted by fellow classmates.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the class can be found in the syllabus and include:
Exploring the traditional concept of intelligence and its impact on emerging challenges faced by the
Intelligence Community, from a failure of imagination to emerging conflicts with a digital environment.
Identifying and developing “anticipatory intelligence” that could inform or influence U.S. policies, business,
politics and society.
Interpreting current homeland intelligence policies, structure and strategies to evaluate relevancy and the
impact of short term returns versus planning for future threats, determining gaps and reflecting on critical
improvements needed for the intelligence mission to succeed in a globally interconnected society.
Understanding the impact and influence of AI, social media and other emerging technologies on intelligence
collection, dissemination, influencing and use.
Understanding the role of moral considerations, legal and Constitutional protections in effectively collecting,
influencing and using intelligence.
NOTICE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSESSMENT
The Threat Assessment should, at a minimum, comply with the following checklist:
Identifies the subject matter of the thesis in response to the topic Identifies the primary Intelligence consumer or Client
Answers the question reflecting upon problems of the past and opportunities in the future
Incorporates a perspective that addresses what the Client Knows, Doesn’t Know, and Needs to Know to
better anticipate future threats
Incorporates an analysis that embraces anticipatory global concepts and forward thinking ideas (e.g. Strategic
Planning, Innovative Solutions, Transformative Challenges to the Status Quo)
Incorporates the course’s learning objectives, as well as comments, opinions and arguments from the
Discussion Boards
The Assessment is concise, presented logically and lead the reader to the conclusion
The Assessment is grammatically sound (showing attention to detail) and written at an executive level for busy
leaders who have limited time to read
The thesis is based on published materials, scholarly articles, books, and news events
Classified material may NOT be used
GRADING
Below is a rubric which details the grading expectations for the Threat Assessment (50 points total)
Introduction – Initiative (Develops an innovative hypothesis)
Does topic and the initiative relate to the Threat Assessment Topic and reflect an innovative hypothesis?
Is the topic of the paper clearly and concisely introduced?
Total Points
_____/5
Body of the Paper – Content (Persuasive, forward thinking, challenges status quo, thought provoking,
explorative, and analytical)
Does the paper identify and meet the needs of the Intelligence client, incorporating a perspective that
addresses what the Intelligence client knows, does not know and needs to know to address future threats?
Does the paper incorporate an analysis that embraces anticipatory global concepts, is challenging, forward
thinking, outlines strategic plans and offers innovative solutions?
Does the paper provide thought provoking, explorative views that incorporate thoroughly researched
examples that tie together information from all sources? [Author’s writing demonstrates an understanding of
the relationship among material obtained from all sources] _____/20
Topic Focus – Relevance (from maximum to minimum)
Is the topic focused and does the paper demonstrate the author fully understands and has applied course
objectives and concepts learned in course modules? Are the concepts integrated into the writer’s own insights
with relevant perspectives from a variety of sources and the writer provides concluding remarks that show
analysis and synthesis of ideas?
The topic is focused but lacks direction. The paper is about a specific topic and incorporates some course
objectives, but the writer has not adequately established a position or has incorporated very limited
perspectives from course modules or other sources. (15 points)
The topic is too broad for the scope of this assignment or fails to incorporate course objectives or does not
incorporate relevant perspectives from course modules. (10 point)
The topic is not clearly defined. (0 points)
_____/20
Spelling, Grammar and Citation – Writing Skills (from maximum to minimum)
Is the paper formatted, logically structured, factually and grammatically correct and cites all data obtained
from sources? (5 points)
Is the paper formatted, logically structures but contain spelling errors or grammar mistakes? (2 points)
There are noticeable spelling or grammar mistakes. (0 points)
_____/5
Total Points: _____/50