Every nation that goes to war has to create images of their enemy. Through intelligence gathering and propaganda, these images are created and used to drive public support and keep soldiers fighting. At the same time, decision-makers must be provided with clear and incisive information on the opposition at hand. Frequently, these aims are mutually conflicting. Carefully balanced and used with circumspection, these images can lead to victory - but they can also drive armies to disaster and entire nations to atrocity.
In this sweeping and fascinating survey - now revised and updated in light of recent developments in the war against terrorism - Kjeld Hald Galster, author of Crucial Coalition and Danish Troops in the Williamite Army in Ireland, explores how intelligence is collected and interpreted. Drawing from examples ranging from the Napoleonic Wars to the 2003 War in Iraq to the death of Osama bin Laden, he examines how military intelligence is used to create the face of the foe - and what makes it a tremendous success...or a disastrous failure.
