INTELLIGENCE OVER CENTURIES: From the Land of Canaan on Jordan river in pre-biblical times, where it succeeded to Ukraine on the Sea of Azov and Black Sea in the 21st century, where it is being tested

Intelligence collection was done by rulers from time immemorial. In this volume, Vappala Balachandran gives an archival account of how it was practised over the ages – “fromthe Land of Canaan on Jordan river in the pre-biblical times where itsucceeded, to Galwan on Ghulam Rasool Galwan river in the 21st century where itfailed”.The author was a high-level national intelligence collector, adjudicator, analyst, and policy adviser to the Government of India between 1976 and 1995. On retirement he undertook deep studies for 26 years on global systems of intelligence, its successes, and failures and how such agencies had helped or impaired the governance and the lives of citizens in various countries.Examined here are the history and working of the systems in India, Britain, United States, Canada, South Africa, and Israel as well as in former “hegemonic” systems like KGB-Stasi and KGB-China. Also discussed are specific subjects such as covert operations, intelligence liaison, major spies, and terrorism.Vappala Balachandran, a former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, had worked in Maharashtra Police for seventeen years and in Cabinet Secretariat for nineteen years. In 1993 and 1994 he led the Indian inter-agency groups for annual dialogue with US agencies on terrorism. He was a part of the two member “High Level Committee” appointed by Government of Maharashtra to enquire into the police response on the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks in 2008.He writes on security and intelligence subjects inThe Tribune,OutlookandIndian Expressas well as in foreign journals such asThe New Atlanticist(Atlantic Council),American BazaarandHome Team Journal(Singapore Home Ministry) on invitation.He is the author of three books:National Security and Intelligence Management: A New Paradigm,A Life in Shadow: The Secret Story of A.C.N. Nambiar - A Forgotten Anti-Colonial WarriorandKeeping India Safe: The Dilemma of Internal Security.Read more