Towards Intelligence-Driven Peace Operations? The Evolution of UN and EU Intelligence Structures

Abstract

Comprehensive intelligence support has become a key requirement in contemporary peace operations. To deal with complex security challenges, international organizations are required not only to develop relevant intelligence structures but also to integrate civilian and military information and actors within them. There is an inherent risk, however, that too much integration will water down intelligence as a concept, in so far as it becomes more difficult to protect sensitive information, sources and methods. Both the UN and the EU have sought to establish integrated intelligence structures, but with mixed results. In tracing the evolution of UN and EU intelligence, this article sheds light on the trend in international peacekeeping towards intelligence-driven operations. In bringing together new empirical knowledge about the two organizations, the article also identifies key determining factors behind the development of intelligence structures within international organizations – a capacity normally seen as belonging to the national domain.