Jihadi Intelligence and Counterintelligence: Ideological Foundations and Operational Methods

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.

Table of contents :  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