Spying in America in the post 9/11 world : domestic threat and the need for change / Ronald A. Marks.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [145]-146) and index.

What constitutes intelligence? -- The present threat to America and what we need to protect -- A history of American spying abroad and at home -- Why American intelligence is so challenging -- How the British spy at home -- The balance of civil liberties and domestic intelligence -- The next steps in American domestic intelligence.

This book examines the realities of living in the United States after the events of September 11th, 2001, and evaluates the challenges in gathering internal intelligence without severely compromising personal liberties. There is no returning to the state of relaxed{u2014}or virtually non-existent{u2014}vigilance of the pre-9/11 period, just as it is impossible to reverse the events that led to the destruction of the Twin Towers and so many lives. The issue is not a lack of resources to monitor domestic threats{u2014}it's how to do it without destroying our nation's freedom. In the United States, there are a staggering number of agents of the CIA, FBI, and state, local, and tribal police, all authorized and empowered to collect intelligence. But is there a way to use these vast resources to gather intelligence in a socially tolerable fashion and still maintain our cherished civil liberties? This book presents a thorough investigation of intelligence collection in the United States that examines the delicate balance of civil liberties with the effectiveness of intelligence collection. It contains a history of domestic intelligence in America, a description of the various threats against our nation, and a discussion of the complexities of deciding what kind of information needs to be collected{u2014} and against whom. The conclusion succinctly states the author's opinions on what needs to be done to best address the issue. Features {u2022} Maps clarify America's security threats in a global and domestic context {u2022} Photographs depict historic events like the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the signing of the U.S. Constitution {u2022} Includes a bibliography of reference sources and recommended reading as well as an index of interviewees and quotations {u2022} A glossary explains the most commonly used terms in intelligence and homeland security Highlights {u2022} Presents an insightful and honest assessment of the effectiveness of intelligence collection and analysis in America {u2022} Addresses the widespread concern of Americans regarding government surveillance in the modern era {u2022} Provides a compelling examination of how the United Kingdom attempts to deal with its substantial problems of monitoring and neutralizing internal threats {u2022} Portrays the complex challenges of striking a balance between protection of civil liberties and the necessity to collect information within the United States