Introduction to Intelligence Studies

Barriers to Analysis 117

that, in country A, the most reliable way out of poverty is to join the Army.

Hence, a disproportionately large number of poor people join. In the Army,

people acquire skills, such as familiarity with explosives and other weap-

ons that are also in high demand in terrorist groups. Once a person leaves

the Army, there is a good chance that there will be a relatively high paying

job waiting for him or her in a terrorist organization. Given a lack of other

more legitimate opportunities in country A, especially among the poor, this

may be quite appealing. Hence, what is really driving the issue is the ter-

rorists’ desire to bring aboard well-trained individuals, regardless of their

economic background. Because of the dem ...