Counterintelligence in Democratic Societies

B.A., Political Science (3rd year), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Lecturer: Dr. Avner Barnea

General description of the course

The course will deal with the historical development of counterintelligence in Israel and around
the world, the characteristics of its activities, the value of counterintelligence to national security,
the dilemmas involved in this activity in democratic societies and the civilian supervision on
counterintelligence, and also will discuss its interactions with other government organizations.
The goals of this course
To recognize how counterintelligence discipline integrates into national security in democracies.
To familiarize with the situation of counterintelligence in Israel and other Western countries.
To recognize the major issues that counter intelligence deals with.
To deal with the challenges of civil liberties and counterintelligence.
Outputs of the learning
At the end of this course, students will know the world of counterintelligence, one of the areas
that affect national security but is not recognized enough and does not receive sufficient public
attention.
How it will be learned
Lectures, Case studies, Guest lectures. The final examination will be a home assignment which
.will be submitted by the students (in teams)
List of issues that will be covered
A. Recognition of national intelligence discipline while with the emphasis on the characteristics
of the unique activities of counterintelligence and the challenges of implementation in Israel and
other democratic societies.
B. Knowing the responsibilities and scope of counterintelligence.
C. Defining the position of counterintelligence in the over whole intelligence activities of a state.
D. Recognizing the distinction between the activities of counterintelligence and the activities of
other state organizations such as Police and other law enforcement agencies and the relationship
with them.
E. learning the legal aspects of counterintelligence activities.
F. Internal and external oversight of counterintelligence agencies.
G. Test cases that occurred in Israel and elsewhere that shaped the reputation and the Modus
Operandi of counterintelligence.
H. The political environment in which counterintelligence operates, and the effect and the role of
systematic checks and balances.