Intelligence Power in Peace and War is a seminal work by Michael Herman, a former British intelligence officer and academic affiliated with institutions such as the University of Oxford and the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Published in 1996, the book represents one of the first systematic efforts to analyze intelligence as an instrument of state power across both peace and conflict settings. Herman adopts a dual perspective, combining practitioner insight with academic analysis, which informs his theoretical framework.
In the book, “intelligence” is broadly defined as the organized collection, processing, and dissemination of information for policy and operational purposes. Herman categorizes intelligence into strategic, operational, and tactical levels, and emphasizes the importance of differentiating between intelligence as a product, as an activity, and as an institution. This conceptual clarity sets the foundation for the book’s thematic division into intelligence in peacetime and wartime.
Intelligence in Times of Peace
In peacetime, intelligence is portrayed primarily as a tool for strategic awareness and policy support. The book outlines how national intelligence agencies monitor foreign governments, economic trends, military developments, and international threats. Herman focuses on how intelligence contributes to the formulation of foreign policy, national security strategies, and the anticipation of potential crises.
The book also examines the increasing role of signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), and satellite reconnaissance in gathering information in non-conflict environments. Particular attention is paid to the Cold War period, during which intelligence became institutionalized within Western states as a permanent feature of peacetime governance. Intelligence is positioned not merely as reactive but also as anticipatory—playing a preventive function in risk management and policy formation.
Intelligence in Times of War
Herman devotes a substantial portion of the book to exploring the transformation of intelligence functions during war. In contrast to the strategic role it plays in peace, wartime intelligence is described as more immediate, operational, and embedded in military planning and execution. The book discusses how intelligence influences command decisions, force deployment, and deception operations.
Historical case studies, including World War II and the Falklands War, are used to illustrate the role of intelligence in tactical success and failure. Herman addresses the limits of intelligence in war, including issues of misinterpretation, information overload, and the difficulty of converting intelligence into effective action. He also considers the tension between intelligence agencies and military structures, particularly in coalition settings where information sharing becomes complex.
Structures, Oversight, and Limitations
The final section of the book addresses the organizational and ethical dimensions of intelligence. Herman describes the bureaucratic architecture of national intelligence systems, comparing structures in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. He investigates how intelligence agencies interface with political leadership, including mechanisms of control, oversight, and secrecy.
A key theme is the democratic dilemma posed by intelligence: the need for secrecy versus the principles of accountability and transparency. Herman also discusses the legal and ethical boundaries that govern intelligence activities, including surveillance of citizens, covert action, and data collection in domestic contexts. He notes the evolving challenges of oversight in a post-Cold War world where non-state actors and cyber threats blur traditional categories of warfare and espionage.
