Above is a replica of the patches that the founder of the Office of Strategic Services, General William J. Donovan, procured in 1943. Photo courtesy of the Central Intelligence Agency. In OSS 2.0: Emphasizing the Importance of Human Intelligence in Irregular Warfare for Great Power Competition by Chris Cruden and Doug Livermore published by the Irregular Warfare Center, the authors … Read more The post OSS 2.0: Emphasizing the Importance of Human Intelligence in Irregular Warfare for Great Power Competition appeared first on Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University.
Above is a replica of the patches that the founder of the Office of Strategic Services, General William J. Donovan, procured in 1943. Photo courtesy of the Central Intelligence Agency.
In OSS 2.0: Emphasizing the Importance of Human Intelligence in Irregular Warfare for Great Power Competition by Chris Cruden and Doug Livermore published by the Irregular Warfare Center, the authors stress the importance of revitalizing the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) principles in this era of Great Power Competition.
“As the global landscape shifts into an era of Great Power Competition, characterized by unconventional threats and complex geopolitical dynamics, the need for a reimagined Office of Strategic Services (OSS) framework has never been more pressing. The revival of an OSS 2.0 would empower the Department of Defense (DoD) with enhanced Human Intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities that are critical for navigating the intricacies of Irregular Warfare (IW). Leveraging an updated OSS concept, the DoD could build deeper, longer-lasting relationships with foreign partners and local populations, laying the foundation for invaluable intelligence collection and clandestine or covert operations.”
This piece explores how Human Intelligence (HUMINT) offers strategic advantages in irregular warfare by fostering local relationships, gathering critical intelligence, and countering advanced adversaries. The authors emphasize that modernizing HUMINT capabilities is essential in navigating the complexities and challenges of contemporary geopolitical conflicts. This would ultimately strengthen the United States’ global influence.
The paper is laid out as follows:
- Differentiating HUMINT Collection Needs: DoD vs. CIA
- HUMINT’s Crucial Role in Great Power Competition
- Revitalizing OSS for the Future of IW
- Leveraging HUMINT for Success in IW
- Preparing for the Future of HUMINT and IW
The post OSS 2.0: Emphasizing the Importance of Human Intelligence in Irregular Warfare for Great Power Competition appeared first on Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University.
