Lesson Report:
# Lesson Report: U.S. Intelligence Community and the Deep State
## Synopsis
In this session, the class explored the structure and role of the U.S. intelligence community, distinguishing between popular and academic perspectives on the “deep state.” The discussion was framed around a video by Johnny Harris that examined historical intelligence failures, the evolution of governmental oversight, and criticisms of intelligence agencies’ influence on U.S. policy. The session concluded with an introduction to political scientist Stephen Walt’s concept of the “blob,” which critiques how institutional norms perpetuate a consistent U.S. foreign policy across administrations.
## Attendance
– Only three students were present in class.
– No specific students were mentioned as absent by name.
## Topics Covered
### 1. **Midterm Paper Feedback and Upcoming Assignment**
– The instructor has read all midterm papers but has only graded one so far.
– Overall feedback emphasized strong historical perspectives but suggested deeper integration of international relations theory.
– A second paper is due by April 2nd, focusing on diplomatic scenario reports.
– **Assignment Overview:**
– Students must assume the role of a political officer within the U.S. Foreign Service.
– The task requires selecting a country with a U.S. diplomatic presence and a specific historical moment.
– Students must assess American interests in that country, analyze local perceptions of U.S. involvement, and propose strategies for aligning U.S. goals with local developments.
– Paper must be a minimum of five pages, using APSA formatting with parenthetical citations.
– Proper citation of sources is required; AI-generated or falsified sources will not be accepted.
### 2. **Introduction to the U.S. Intelligence Community**
– Agencies discussed:
– **CIA** – Primarily responsible for foreign intelligence.
– **FBI** – Handles domestic intelligence and law enforcement.
– **NSA** – Focuses on electronic surveillance and communications.
– Discussion of the term “intelligence,” commonly associated with secrecy, espionage, and ethical concerns about government oversight.
– Explanation of agency overlap and how various departments work together while operating semi-independently.
### 3. **Exploring the “Deep State� Concept (Johnny Harris Video Analysis)**
– The class watched and discussed a documentary-style video by Johnny Harris examining the history of the U.S. intelligence community and its influence on policy.
– Major historical events discussed:
– **Church Committee (1970s):** Investigated CIA and FBI overreach, leading to new restrictions on intelligence agencies.
– **Edward Snowden Leaks (2012):** Revealed NSA mass surveillance programs, rekindling debates about privacy and governmental oversight.
– Key points from the video:
– The intelligence community has at times acted autonomously, beyond the reach of democratic oversight.
– The growth of intelligence agencies in the post-9/11 era mirrors the Cold War expansion of covert operations.
– “Deep stateâ€� as a political term often carries conspiratorial connotations, but it does reflect concerns over bureaucratic power and lack of transparency.
### 4. **Academic Perspective: The “Blob� (Introduction to Stephen Walt’s Argument)**
– **Definition:** Stephen Walt describes the “blob” as a collection of government agencies, think tanks, and interest groups that uphold interventionist U.S. foreign policy.
– **Key Aspects of the Blob:**
– Extends beyond the intelligence community to include NGOs, diplomats, and policymaking think tanks (e.g., Rand Corporation).
– Decisions are often made with a lack of accountability—policymakers and analysts face no personal consequences if their recommendations fail.
– Bureaucratic momentum and shared ideological perspectives lead to repeated patterns in U.S. foreign policy, regardless of political leadership.
– Brief comparison to Trump and Obama:
– Despite campaigning to reduce intelligence overreach, both presidents expanded the powers of the agencies during their terms.
## Actionable Items
### **Immediate (Next Class Preparation)**
– The instructor plans to cover Walt’s “blobâ€� theory in greater detail in the next session.
– The discussion will also expand on how intelligence agencies impact U.S. foreign policy.
### **Future (Assignment & Grading)**
– Midterm papers will be graded and available on the e-course platform soon.
– The submission page for the upcoming paper is not yet posted; the instructor should upload it soon.
– Students are reminded to use APSA formatting and provide accurate citations in their papers.
Homework Instructions:
ASSIGNMENT #1: Diplomatic Scenario Report
In this assignment, you will take on the role of a political officer within the U.S. Foreign Service, stationed at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Your task is to analyze American interests in a specific country at a particular point in time and assess local perspectives on these interests. The objective of this assignment is to apply your understanding of U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic strategy while practicing analytical writing from an insider’s viewpoint.
**Instructions:**
1. **Choose a Country** – Select any country where the U.S. has a diplomatic presence (either an embassy or consulate).
2. **Choose a Specific Point in Time** – The moment you select must be clearly defined (e.g., April 2, 2024, rather than simply “the Cold War”). Your choice should be justified based on its political significance in relation to U.S. interests.
3. **Analyze American Interests** – In the context of the country and time period you have chosen, discuss U.S. strategic objectives. Address key questions such as:
– What does the U.S. seek to achieve in this country?
– Are American interests aligned with or divergent from the regional political landscape?
– Does the U.S. view this country as a strategic partner, potential rival, or challenge?
4. **Evaluate Local Perceptions of U.S. Involvement** – Analyze how the local government and general population perceive American actions and policies. Consider:
– What U.S. programs, initiatives, or interventions are present?
– How have these efforts been received by different groups (government officials, the public, activists, opposition parties, etc.)?
– Are there cultural, historical, or political factors influencing these perceptions?
5. **Develop Strategic Recommendations** – Based on your analysis, propose recommendations for U.S. diplomatic strategy in the country. Suggestions may include:
– Adjustments to current diplomatic or foreign aid initiatives.
– Policy changes to improve bilateral relations or better align U.S. interests with realities on the ground.
– Programs that address local concerns while advancing American objectives.
6. **Use Proper Citations** – Your report must be supported by credible sources. Cite all references appropriately using APSA format with parenthetical citations. **Fabricated citations will not be accepted.**
7. **Format Requirements** –
– **Length**: Minimum of five pages.
– **Style**: Formal analytical writing with clear organization and logical flow.
– **Citation Style**: APSA with parenthetical references.
Be objective and neutral in your analysis, as real-world diplomatic reports are ideally free of personal or political biases. However, you are encouraged to critically engage with the subject, applying concepts from our coursework to your report.