Introduction to Intelligence Studies122
analysts have no problem understanding that their own political beliefs have
no place in analysis. However, small-p politics is more insidious. It relates
to the internal politics of an organization and the shaping of intelligence,
either intentionally or unintentionally, to meet the desires or preconcep-
tions of the policymaker. Mark Lowenthal refers to this as politicized intel-
ligence. ere are a number of reasons this can occur. e most obvious is
that the analyst tells the boss what he wants to hear. is can occur when
analysts place their own career ambitions above the good of the organization
and the country. However, the policymaker shares equal blame if they allow
this to happen—a savvy and eth ...