Security Agencies, Role and Importance

Initialization:

Fear of adversaries forms the basis of espionage and intelligence, as countries seek to understand the preparations and capabilities of adversaries to achieve anticipation and superiority. Perhaps the history of intelligence began in the ancient Egyptian civilization, as it was part of the daily life of the rulers and kings at the time, then it developed in other civilizations such as Greece and Rome, where it was used to avoid dangers and plan hit-and-run wars, then in the Middle Ages, intelligence and security played an important role in the formation of Islamic states, and they adopted spying and planting eyes in hostile countries to achieve stability and reduce crimes and so on.
But all of this was primitive behavior, and it was only during the two world wars that security work witnessed a major development in human history, as new technologies were developed and specialized agencies were created, and this development continues today.

Advantages of having a security apparatus:

Security agencies play a vital and essential role in protecting the national security of countries and ensuring their stability.
Here’s a look at the positive role of the NISS on citizens and the world order as we see it:

A. The positive role of intelligence and security services on citizens:

1. Protecting internal security: It collects and analyzes information related to potential threats to internal security, whether from terrorist groups or criminal organizations, which helps prevent terrorist attacks and organized crime, enhances community safety and protects the lives of citizens.
2. Maintaining political stability: Monitoring activities that threaten political stability, such as planning coups or inciting internal strife, helps ensure the stability of governments and political institutions and enhances the stability of public life and the well-being of citizens.
3. Counter-espionage: Detecting and criminalizing espionage attempts that may be carried out by foreign countries or entities with the aim of stealing sensitive information or undermining national security, which contributes to protecting the state’s interests and preserving the confidentiality of security and military information.
4. Responding to disasters and crises: Providing important information that can be used in managing crises and disasters, whether natural or man-made, contributing to the organization of government efforts and cooperation with concerned parties to provide immediate assistance and protect citizens.

B. The positive role of intelligence on global order:

1. Countering international terrorism: Intelligence services cooperate internationally to exchange information about terrorist groups and their movements, with the aim of preventing terrorist attacks and dismantling their cross-border cells, thereby enhancing the security of countries and peoples around the world.
2. Preventing the proliferation of deadly weapons: Working to control and prevent the proliferation of deadly weapons, especially nuclear weapons, and other technologies of mass destruction, with the aim of preserving world peace and preventing nuclear wars and humanitarian disasters.
3. Regional stabilization: Contributing to analyzing the political and security situation in areas of conflict and chaos, and securing the necessary stability, which may contribute to reducing armed conflicts and achieving peace in troubled areas, thereby enhancing the stability of the global system.
4. Combating transnational organized crime: Cooperate to detect and dismantle organized crime networks that operate across borders, such as drug smuggling and human trafficking, to protect communities from criminal activities and ensure international justice.

It can be said: Security and intelligence agencies play a pivotal role in maintaining security and stability at the national and global levels, by collecting and analyzing information and coordinating security efforts to ensure the stability of political and social systems.

Cons:

While security services play an important role in protecting national security, there are negative aspects that can affect citizens and the global order, which can be summarized as follows:

A. The negative role of security and intelligence on citizens
(We see the negativity of the Assad regime’s intelligence services as the greatest manifestation of this role:

1. Spying on citizens: Intelligence agencies use their powers to gather information about citizens without legal or ethical justification, leading to violations of their privacy and undermining trust between citizens and the state.
2. Torture and ill-treatment: The use of torture by security and intelligence services to obtain information from individuals is a blatant violation of human rights and generates hatred and hostility towards the government.
3. Political repression: Surveillance, prosecution, and repression of political opponents and activists, undermining democracy and limiting freedom of expression and assembly.
4. Exploitation and blackmail: Intelligence uses the information it collects to blackmail or coerce individuals into cooperating with it, leading to widespread corruption and abuse of power.

B. The negative role of intelligence on the world order:

1. Interference in the affairs of other countries: Some intelligence services may interfere in the internal affairs of other countries to support or undermine governments, leading to international destabilization and strained international relations.
2. Assassinations and covert missions: Security and intelligence services may be involved in assassinations or illegal covert operations in other countries, creating international unrest and escalating tensions and conflicts.
3. Cyberwarfare: Some intelligence services launch cyberattacks to disrupt or steal information from other countries, this can lead to significant economic losses and undermine global cybersecurity.
4. Spreading disinformation: Intelligence may use disinformation and propaganda to steer public opinion, undermine or support governments in favor of others, creating chaos and mistrust, and negatively impacting democracy and global stability.

While the role of security and intelligence agencies plays an essential role in protecting national security, the inappropriate use of their powers can lead to significant negative impacts on citizens and the global order, hence the importance of establishing controls and oversight mechanisms to ensure that the activities of security and intelligence agencies are in accordance with the law and human rights.

Challenges to consolidating a positive role in Syria:

After the fall of the Assad regime, the Mukhabarat could face potential challenges, including:

1. Security chaos: If the new administration is unable to control the internal situation or there is external conspiracy, it will be difficult for the new intelligence service, given its newness, to control the security situation, leading to chaos and violence, and increasing security threats from armed groups, remnants of the old regime, organized crime, and revenge.
2. Revenge and liquidation: Some factions or individuals may seek revenge against former intelligence operatives or collaborators, which may lead to a wave of violence and counter-violence, increasing tensions and divisions within society.
3. Domestic espionage: The Mukhabarat may continue to monitor and spy on citizens, especially in the special circumstances that Syria is going through, raising concerns about violating privacy and human rights, undermining trust between citizens and the new government, and increasing popular discontent.
4. External interference: The intelligence services may come under pressure and interference from foreign powers seeking to realize their interests in Syria, which complicates the political and security situation and increases local, regional, and international tensions.
5. Corruption, mismanagement, and infiltration: The new intelligence services may face challenges in building strong and transparent institutions, increasing the likelihood of corruption, mismanagement, and possible infiltration, all of which could undermine their effectiveness in achieving security and stability.
6. Economic challenges: Intelligence may face difficulties in securing the funding and resources needed to develop its capabilities and achieve its goals, resulting in a weakened ability to address security threats and stabilization.
7. Internal divisions: Intelligence may suffer from internal divisions between different factions, which weakens its ability to operate in a unified and effective manner, and can lead to increased tensions and potentially internal conflicts, undermining security and stabilization efforts.

It is important for the new Syrian government to build strong and transparent security institutions and intelligence services that respect human rights and work to achieve internal security and stability first and foremost. There must also be oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated and that trust between citizens and the government is achieved.

Conclusion:

We have presented our vision on the security establishment in the current podcast (51) and beyond, as well as in Syrian Future Movementpapers, such as the paper titled (Syrian Future Movement Military and Police Institutions and the Security and Intelligence Service). Building a sophisticated and modern intelligence service in Syria requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the positive experiences of other countries and avoids the negatives associated with the perception of intelligence and its practices, and there are some steps that we recommend to be taken to achieve this:

1. Establish a solid legal framework: Establish clear laws that define the functions and powers of the security and intelligence services, their commitment to ensuring human rights and international standards, ensuring transparency in their work, and providing oversight and accountability mechanisms.
2. Capacity building and training: Develop advanced training programs that focus on security analysis, counter-terrorism, legal and ethical information gathering, and adopting the latest technologies in information gathering and analysis, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and graphical analysis.
3. Strengthening international cooperation: Build cooperation and partnerships with respected international intelligence services to exchange information and expertise, and organize joint training programs with advanced countries to enhance the capabilities of Syrian intelligence.
4. Governance and oversight: Establish independent oversight bodies to monitor intelligence activities, ensure compliance with laws and standards, and establish accountability mechanisms that include investigating violations and holding those involved to account.
5. Commitment to human rights: Through two axes:
   • First: Include human rights training programs in the training curricula of security and intelligence personnel.
   • Second: Collaborate with human rights organizations themselves to ensure that intelligence operations are compliant with international standards.
6. Focus on human (HUMINT) and technical (SIGINT) intelligence: Striking a balance between gathering information from human sources and using modern technology to analyze data, and investing in the development and regular updating of information gathering and analysis techniques.
7. Improve public relations: Build a good relationship with the community through open and transparent communication about the role of intelligence in protecting national security, fostering trust between the SIS and the community, and ensuring citizen support for national security activities.

Utilize the examples of security services in developed countries: The United Kingdom is a good example of an intelligence service that is transparent and subject to parliamentary oversight; Germany, which focuses on gathering information from technical and human sources and is subject to strict parliamentary oversight; and Canada, which works closely with human rights organizations and uses legal methods to gather information.

Finally, building a modern intelligence service in Syria requires a delicate balance between achieving national security and adhering to human rights, by adopting international best practices and avoiding the negatives associated with the security and intelligence apparatus, thus generating an effective intelligence system that serves the interest of the country and the citizen.

The NISS must be fully transparent, monitored and accountable to ensure a positive and constructive role.

By applying international best practices and learning from the experiences of other countries, Syria can build an apparatus that contributes to sustainable development and security.

The primary role of any security and intelligence agency is to protect citizens and ensure the stability of society, which lays the foundation for a secure future and a stable country.

Presidential Office
Dr. Dr. Zahir Badrani
Article
Syrian Future Movement