Human Intelligence Throughout History: An Analysis of the Changes in Human Intelligence Collection Techniques from the Cold War to the Present

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to investigate how the human intelligence (HUMINT) collection field has evolved from the Cold War to the modern day. To conduct this investigation this dissertation will examine the HUMINT activities of three case study countries, the United States, Russia, and China. Along with the analysis of these case studies' HUMINT activities, this dissertation will also analyze how technology has changed over time to aid HUMINT in the digital world of today. This analysis serves to prove a pattern in the evolution of HUMINT activities along with the rise of new technologies. By analyzing patterns of the evolution of the HUMINT technology relationship, this dissertation will provide insight into the possible future of the HUMINT collection field.