Bolstering United Nations Intelligence: Cultural and Structural Solutions

United Nations (UN) intelligence has struggled to address the complex nature of contemporary internal conflict. The need for independent UN intelligence collection will rise in proportion to the increasing complexity of internal conflict, the continuing problem of weak/failing states, and the growing number of non-state actors. The two main challenges to UN intelligence are cultural barriers that stigmatize information collection, and structural inefficiencies hindering timely and relevant intelligence for senior leaders. This paper identifies several root causes of intelligence stigma within UN member states, and offers corresponding recommendations to reduce cultural barriers. It also discusses structural considerations to intelligence analysis, and proposes the UN create an intermediate-level organization between the field and headquarters (referred to as Regional Analysis Center). Regional inter-governmental organizations offer great promise to help the UN overcome funding and personnel shortfalls. Effective predictive intelligence will improve the chances of dealing with internal conflict before it escalates into a more complicated, costly, and dangerous peacekeeping operation. If the UN does not immediately embrace intelligence reform, it will fail to prevent and mitigate future conflictat the cost of more blue helmets and innocent lives.