Optimizing Intelligence Sharing in a Coalition Environment: Why U.S. Operational Commanders Have an Intelligence Dissemination Challenge

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Abstract : Future U.S. military operations and military operations other than war will almost certainly involve other allied nations or entities. U.S. operational commanders must develop a framework for the dissemination of intelligence information to appropriate recipients in their area of operations. U.S. policy, particularly DCID 516 and NDP-l, provides guidance on intelligence sharing, however joint and service doctrine often makes the operational commander's responsibilities confusing. Of all the elements of the intelligence cycle, optimal intelligence dissemination becomes critical in a multinational environment by enhancing coalition unity of effort and force protection from the planning stage through war termination. NATO Operation JOINT ENDEAVOUR provided examples of difficulties with intelligence disclosure, among them a lack of timely releasable intelligence, each nation's reliance on its own intelligence capabilities, and the intelligence differences inherent among the nations. Sharing intelligence becomes difficult for the U.S. because of sensitive sources and means, national differences within a coalition, sophisticated technologies, the lack of multi-level security systems, other nations' security programs, and U.S. policy. While change is difficult, change is necessary. Provisions for tailored releasable intelligence for a coalition must be made as early as possible. U.S. national intelligence agencies are adjusting to that need. Both operational commanders and the national agencies have major roles in the improvement of intelligence sharing in a multinational environment.