| Abstract [eng] |
The Way Towards an Effective and Reliable Intelligence: Causes and Results of the Intelligence Reform in Lithuania The rise of new security issues over the past decades proves that the clear line between internal and external security is slowly disappearing. Due to the relevance of intelligence agencies protecting states from emerging new risks to their national security, all countries around the globe seek to have effective and reliable intelligence apparatus. However, in order to achieve that, countries are urged to adapt-reform the model of their intelligence system. The intelligence reform in Lithuania (2009-2012) can be regarded as a good example of national authorities’ response to the set of structural and political problems that Lithuanian intelligence was experiencing. Therefore, the main goal of this Master thesis is to assess the impact of implemented legal and structural changes on the effectiveness of the Lithuanian intelligence system and offer guidelines for an effective and sustainable model of intelligence. In order to achieve this goal, the following hypothesis are formulated: the effectiveness of intelligence apparatus is determined by (H1) the legal normative regulation which clearly and unambiguously defines functions, competences and responsibilities of intelligence agents; effectiveness also depends on (H2) a clear and understandable democratic control and accountability mechanism; (H3) resources (both financial and human) that are allocated to intelligence activity and (H4) transparency (depoliticisation and growing trust) of the intelligence system. The research begins with a comprehensive literature review comprising other states’ practices reforming their intelligence systems and emphasising the key reasons behind these reforms. Based on this analysis, the theoretical model is constructed which focuses on four main dimensions for effective intelligence apparatus: the clarity of intelligence activity, the firmness of accountability and control mechanisms, growing financial and human resources and transparency of the whole intelligence system. This becomes the basis for an empirical part of this research. First of all, the political situation in Lithuania from 1990 until 2009 is traced, which reveals the set of reasons, problems and circumstances that led to the launch of the Lithuanian intelligence reform. In the second part, the content of the Law of intelligence (2013) is analysed – in this way, the main elements of this reform are presented and explained, emphasising what problems each of this element was supposed to solve. After analysing Lithuanian intelligence path towards efficiency and reliability, the assessment is being made whether changes in normative legislation and structure of intelligence services contributed to the effectiveness of Lithuanian intelligence system. The findings suggest that Lithuania’s intelligence reform indeed solved the main problems: the new version of the Law on Intelligence provided clarity by shifting Lithuanian intelligence services towards the classical intelligence cycle – this reduced the misunderstandings which had occurred in Lithuanian political life before the reform; accountability has also become more robust and rigorous; both financial and human intelligence resources have slightly increased and the transparency indicator has also progressed to a positive direction. Thus, it can be concluded that intelligence reform directed its intelligence apparatus on a quite successful way towards an effective and reliable intelligence system, however, the events from Lithuanian political life reveal gaps in the new Law of Intelligence and possible amendments how to improve it. Finally, based on this assessment, guidelines for a model of an intelligence system that can help to ensure the effectiveness of intelligence activities in the face of changing geopolitical situation and emerging threats to national security are outlined. |
