This book analyzes the ideological roots, structures and operational methods of Jihadi intelligence and counterintelligence activities. Based on a substantive collection of data on terrorist attacks, communication channels, recruitment methods, manuals and statements released by various Jihadi groups, it examines and compares the nature, ideology and realities of Jihadi intelligence operations. The author, an expert on Jihadist ideology and paramilitary intelligence, compares the modus operandi of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and the IS with those of governmental intelligence agencies, and subsequently analyzes the role of historical and religious narratives that help Jihadist groups justify their actions and military management. Further topics covered include encryption, counterfeiting, covert operations and Jihadi intelligence activities in the digital realm. The insights shared here will allow readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of Jihadist groups and their intelligence operations, while helping practitioners and policymakers develop better counterterrorism activities and counternarratives.
Author(s): Ferdinand J. Haberl
Series: Perspectives on Development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 326
City: Cham
Contents
1 Introduction
References
2 Strategic Intelligence Background
2.1 What is Intelligence?
2.2 The Definition of (Jihādi) Intelligence
2.3 The Strategic Intelligence Landscape
2.4 The (Jihādi) Intelligence Cycle
References
3 Collection Sources
3.1 Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
3.2 Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal Al-Balawi
3.3 Ali Abdul Saoud Mohamed
3.4 Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
3.5 Covert Intelligence Sources
3.5.1 The Recruitment Process—Target Identification
3.5.2 The Recruitment Process—Asset Development
3.5.3 The Recruitment Process—Asset Recruitment
3.5.4 The Recruitment Process—Testing and Training an Asset
3.5.5 The Recruitment Process—Managing Assets
3.6 Signals Intelligence
3.7 Imagery Intelligence
3.8 Surveillance Drones, UAVs and Drone Counter Measures
References
4 Intelligence Analysis and “Lessons Learned”
4.1 Intelligence Analysis
4.2 Lessons Learned
References
5 The Three Levels of Jihādi Warfare—The Interrelation of Jihādi Operational Art and Jihādi Intelligence
5.1 The Three Levels of Warfare
5.1.1 The Strategic Level
5.1.2 The Operational Level
5.1.3 The Tactical Level
5.2 Operational Art
References
6 The “Urtext” of Jihādi Intelligence Culture
6.1 Why History Matters
6.2 The IS’ Amniyat and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq
6.3 The Lord of the Shadows
6.3.1 The Dawah Offices
6.3.2 Religion Inside Saddam Hussein’s Intelligence Services
6.3.3 Internal Control and Surveillance
6.3.4 The Hisbah
6.4 Intelligence in Ba’athist Iraq and Its Influence on the Islamic State
6.4.1 The Special Security Organization—Jihaz Al-Amn Al-Khass
6.4.2 The People Who Loosen and Bind
6.5 The Emni Officers, the Intelligence Council and the Shura Council (as of Early 2019)
6.6 The Shura, Media and Military Councils
6.6.1 The Shura Council
6.6.2 The Media Council
6.6.3 The Military Council
6.7 The Long Arm of the STASI and the KGB
6.8 Paying Tribute to Saladin
6.9 Intelligence in the Ancient Near East—The Early Influence of the Assyrians
6.10 Persian Intelligence Traditions and Administration
References
7 The First Islamic State and Its Intelligence Services
7.1 The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Rashidun)
7.1.1 The Caliph Abū Bakr
7.1.2 The Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattāb
7.1.3 The Caliph Muʿāwiyah
7.1.4 The Caliph Yazid
7.1.5 The Caliph ‘Abd Al-Malik
7.1.6 The Governor Al-Hajjaj
7.1.7 The Caliph Al-Walid
7.1.8 The Abbasid Muslim Empire and the Peak of the Postal System
7.1.9 The Fatimid Empire
7.1.10 The Mamluk Empire
7.1.11 Byzantine
7.2 Why the “Urtext” Matters
References
8 Jihādi Intelligence and Epistemology
8.1 The Intelligence Cycle and Organisational Learning
8.1.1 Knowledge Acquisition
8.1.2 Knowledge Acquisition via Intelligence Assets, Informants and Operatives
8.1.3 “Vicarious Learning” and Jihādi Intelligence Organisations
8.2 Knowledge and Learning
8.2.1 Information Distribution
8.2.2 Interpretation of Information
8.2.3 Storage of Information
8.2.4 Incremental Learning and Transformational Learning
8.3 Lessons Learned
8.3.1 Organisational Structure and Learning
8.3.2 Information Sharing and Decentralisation
8.3.3 Organisational Culture and Learning New Information
8.3.4 Operational Environment and Learning New Information
8.4 The Collocation of Knowledge
8.5 Theoretical and Practical Knowledge
8.5.1 Practical Knowledge
8.5.2 Theoretical Knowledge
8.6 Real-Life Training
8.7 Intelligence Collection and Institutional Learning
8.8 Why Institutional Learning Matters
References
9 Counterintelligence
9.1 The Counterintelligence Doctrine
9.2 Counterintelligence Apparati and Internal Security
9.3 “Spy Versus Spy” and Espionage Deterrence
9.4 Deception and Denial
9.5 Deception
9.6 Taqiyya
9.7 Deceptive Means
9.7.1 Camouflage and Concealment
9.7.2 Demonstration and Diversion
9.7.3 Disinformation
9.7.4 Spoofing and Mimicry
9.7.5 Conditioning and Exploitation
9.7.6 Display and Decoy
9.7.7 Knowing the Enemy
9.7.8 Denial and Secrecy
9.8 Keeping Secrets and Concealing Information
9.8.1 Compartmentalisation
9.8.2 Secret Communication
9.8.3 Local Networks and Public Support
9.8.4 Territorial Control
9.9 The Basis of All Operations
References
10 Encryption and Secret Communication
10.1 The Roots of Jihādi Encryption
10.2 Electronic Encryption, Safe Communication, and OpSec
10.2.1 The Snowden Leaks and Jihādi Encryption
10.3 Communication Through Video Games
10.4 Communication by Phone and Walkie Talkie
10.4.1 Telecommunication Security
10.5 Communication by Dead Drops
10.6 Communication by Code Words
10.7 Communication via Carrier Pigeons
10.8 Invisible Ink
References
11 Counterfeiting
11.1 The Different Kinds of Counterfeit Passports
11.2 Safe Travel
11.3 The Jihaz Al-Amn Al-Muwahhad (PLO) and Counterfeiting
11.4 Counterfeiting and Propaganda
References
12 Safe Houses
12.1 A Prerequisite for Intelligence Collection
12.2 Osama Bin Laden’s Safe House
References
13 Covert Operations
13.1 The Jihādi Rationale Behind Covert Operations
13.2 The Emni and Covert Operations
13.3 Assassinations
References
14 Economic Warfare and Destabilisation
14.1 Large-Scale Destabilisation Through Economic Terrorism
14.2 Egypt as an Economic Target
14.3 The Ideological Basis of Economic Warfare
14.4 Targeting Investments and Trade
14.5 Attacking Foreigners and Tourists
References
15 The Elimination of the Greyzone as a Jihādi Covert Operation
Abstract
15.1 The Alienation of Muslims (Propaganda)
References
16 Jihādi Intelligence Activities in the Digital Realm
16.1 Operational Art in Cyberspace
16.2 Cyber-Attacks and Cyber-Disruption—A Natural Fit
16.3 Cyber-Espionage
16.4 Psychological Operations in Cyberspace
References
17 Conclusion
References
Glossary of Terms
