Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence

Review
"Kathy and Randy Pherson have written what should be THE standard for anyone interested in disciplined critical thinking. It should be a standard text for anyone pursuing a career in the intelligence community and, for that matter, for those currently serving. Logical, persuasive, useful, richly illustrated and documented, the 3rd edition has greatly refreshed their previous work." - Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper, former US Director of National Intelligence."Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence is well established as the most important text for professional analysts and for scholars and students of intelligence analysis. It this new 3rd edition, Kathy and Randy Pherson incorporate significant updates that will keep the book exactly where it always has been - on the cutting edge of the analytic profession. Simply put: it is a must read!" - Michael Morrell, former Acting Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Analysis, US Central Intelligence Agency ."The knowledge in this book, drawn from practical examples and well-researched methods, gives you the basic tools you need whether you are a seasoned professional or just getting started. These are the tools you should know as part of the craft." - Tommy Skaug, Norwegian National Cyber Security Center."Critical thinking is essential for solid business decision making. In the challenging post-pandemic business environment, only the companies making the best thought-through decisions will flourish. Kathy and Randy Pherson provide their Ivy League business school quality of thinking to support you to do just that." - Eric Elgersma, Director, Strategic Analysis Services BV, The Netherlands."This book is an outstanding contribution to one of the most important aspects of intelligence practice globally. It captures the essence of critical thinking and will resonate with intelligence professionals tasked with producing quality strategic intelligence. I congratulate Randy and Kathy Pherson for their dedication to the craft." - Phil Kowalick, President, Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers
Foreword to 3rd Edition.In reviewing this third edition of Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence, I recall well my impressions when I read the first edition nearly a decade ago. In 2011, the surprise of Arab Spring, the impact of the death of Osama bin Laden, and the implications of the end of the Iraq War kept our intelligence analytic focus on counterterrorism and warfighter support. Now the world is even more complex with political and economic polarization, shifting alliances, sociological and environmental disruptions, and disinformation. The need for insightful warning and solid, dispassionate analysis has never been greater..Kathy and Randy Pherson's book stands the test of time. It tackles change head on, incorporating timely issues and sources to help analysts deal with evolution in the ways they work as well as the issues they study. This one-of-a-kind guide should be used by all practitioners from the front lines to the C-suite.. - Charles E. Allen, Principal, The Chertoff Group; former Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, DHS; and former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Collection, CIA
With Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence, Katherine Hibbs Pherson and Randolph H. Pherson have updated their highly regarded, easy-to-use handbook for developing core critical thinking skills and analytic techniques. This indispensable text is framed around 20 key questions that all analysts must ask themselves as they prepare to conduct research, generate hypotheses, evaluate sources of information, draft papers, and ultimately present analysis, including: How do I get started? Where is the information I need? What is my argument? How do I convey my message effectively?
The Third Edition includes suggested best practices for dealing with digital disinformation, politicization, and AI. Drawing upon their years of