A Guide To National Security Jargon

Not much of a silver lining to the devastating actions of the Trump administration. But here is one! Americans are finding out about parts of our government, and our society, they did not know much about, or appreciated. We have learned more about our national parks, medical research, tariffs, and impoundment, since inauguration than most of us ever thought we would need. One such area is “our” area — national security. Despite Hollywood, the jargon and structure of intelligence, diplomacy and homeland security have been rather obscure. So…. here is a short primer on some common terms, and some links to more in depth resources, all focused on the strange language of national security. First the links: Department of Defense’s 2011 TERMS & DEFINITIONS OF INTEREST FOR DoD COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS, the CIA’s 1989 Glossary of Intelligence Terms and Definitions is an oldie, but goodie – you can see it looks liked it was typed on an IBM selectric, and CIA’s Online Spy Speak Glossary. You also may want to check out the CRS report.

And here are some quick ones:

HUMINT (Human Intelligence): Intelligence derived from information collected by human sources.

SIGINT (Signals Intelligence): Intelligence obtained from intercepted communications or electronic signals.

“The Company”: In the movies, what CIA people call the CIA. In real life, never used. If somebody tells you they were in the CIA, and calls it “The Company” they are probably lying.

GEOINT (Geospatial Intelligence): Intelligence derived from imagery and geospatial data, such as satellite or aerial photography.

OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence): Intelligence gathered from publicly available sources such as media, internet, and academia.

MASINT (Measurement and Signature Intelligence): Intelligence obtained by quantitative analysis of physical attributes (e.g., radar, nuclear emissions).

All-Source Intelligence: The integration and evaluation of intelligence from all available sources.

Espionage: the use of clandestine efforts to acquire classified information; the unauthorized transmittal of classified information to a foreign nation or entities with the intent to harm the U.S. or aid a foreign power.

National Intelligence Estimate (NIE): A strategic assessment of a national security issue, produced by the Intelligence Community for policymakers.

Finished Intelligence: Fully analyzed and evaluated information, ready for use by decision-makers.

Raw Intelligence: Collected data that has not yet been fully evaluated or analyzed.

Counterintelligence (CI): Activities intended to identify and counter threats posed by foreign intelligence entities.

Clandestine Operation: An intelligence activity intended to remain hidden from public or foreign awareness.

Covert Action: An activity to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad, where the U.S. government’s role is not apparent.

Compartmented Information: Classified information limited to personnel with specific clearance and a need to know.

Intelligence Community (IC): A federation of 18 U.S. agencies involved in intelligence activities, coordinated by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): The statute governing the collection of foreign intelligence information within the United States.

Agent: In U.S. intelligence usage (CIA and related agencies), an agent is a foreign national who is recruited to provide information or conduct operations—not a U.S. government employee. In contrast, a CIA employee is called an “officer,” such as a “case officer” who recruits and handles agents. In law enforcement usage (e.g., FBI, DEA, ICE), an agent or special agent is a government employee with investigative authority.

Ambassador: The highest-ranking U.S. diplomat assigned to represent the United States in a foreign country.

Chargé d’Affaires: A diplomat who heads an embassy in the absence of the ambassador.

Démarche: A formal diplomatic communication or protest to a foreign government.

Treaty: A formal, legally binding agreement between countries, requiring Senate ratification in the U.S.

Executive Agreement: An international agreement made by the executive branch that does not require Senate approval.

Diplomatic Immunity: Legal protection afforded to diplomats from the jurisdiction of the host country’s laws.

Consulate: A diplomatic office focused on assisting citizens and facilitating trade, subordinate to the embassy.

Foreign Service: The professional body of U.S. diplomats and support staff working for the State Department abroad.

Country Team: The senior leadership of a U.S. mission overseas, led by the ambassador.

Summit: A high-level diplomatic meeting between heads of state or government.

Sanctions: Penalties or restrictions imposed by one country on another to influence behavior.

Recognition: The formal acknowledgment of a government or state’s legitimacy by another country.

Backchannel: An unofficial or secret method of communication between states.

Diplomatic Note: A formal written communication between diplomatic missions or between governments.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961): The international treaty that defines the rules and privileges of diplomatic relations.