Intelligence Studies Review

Blog of the Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS)

  • Call for Papers: “Knock in the Night” —Intelligence, Security and Special Services in Authoritarian States 

    Date: 26-27 June 2024   Location: Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK  Deadline for Proposals: 8 January 2024  The Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) is calling for papers about the activities, role and functioning of intelligence and security organisations in autocratic regimes. We are also interested in the causes, conditions and difficulties that national…

  • How Do We Define Intelligence Failure?: Hamas October 2023 Attack on Israel

    On October 7, Hamas launched a significant and well-coordinated attack on Israel, surprising its defenses. Considered the ‘most serious attack in a generation’, the offensive exposed multiple intelligence failures on the Israeli side, revealing both Hamas’ effective planning and considerable weaknesses in Israeli security structures.

  • BCISS On-Line Symposium on Oleg Gordievsky

    Introduction As has been widely noted in the press, Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky passed away on Tuesday 4 March, aged 86.  Not quite ten years ago, I actually had the rare and invaluable opportunity to meet and talk at some length with Gordievsky.  I had been invited to speak at a Pall Mall club by a…

  • When Is American Intelligence not American Intelligence? 5 Eyes, Uncertainty and ‘the Pause’

    Professor Philip H J Davies Director, Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) Pause for Thought On Thursday 6 March 2025 George Allison reported on his UK Defence Journal website that an RAF RC 135 ‘Rivet Joint’ electronic intelligence aircraft had just completed a flight over the Baltic Sea and around the Russian exclave…

  • Upcoming BCISS conference: Knock in the Night

    26-27 June (online) The Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS) is hosting a two-day, online conference: Knock in the Night: Intelligence, Security andSpecial Services in Authoritarian States. The conference will address the activities, role and functioning of intelligence and security organisations in autocratic regimes. Panelists will also address the causes, conditions and difficulties…

  • Supply Chains and Sabotage

    Dr. Neveen Abdalla In recent weeks, colleagues in the Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies have noticed a recurrent, troubling theme in the news: fires or explosions have been (ahem) “accidentally” breaking out at defence-related factories in Western countries. Over a short period, these seemingly sporadic incidents have appeared to increase in frequency, occurring…

  • Russia Is Already at War with NATO, Whether NATO Believes it or Not

    Dr Kevin Riehle Since the beginning of 2024, NATO military leaders have stated in multiple forums that NATO countries need to prepare for future war with Russia. Those statements have created anxiety and met political and societal resistance. Populations and politicians in NATO countries are loath to accept the need to fight Russia in an…