Foreign intelligence services shape wars, influence governments, steal technological advantage, penetrate institutions, cultivate human sources, and operate in the shadows of international affairs. Yet few academic programs examine how the world’s major intelligence systems differ—or what their distinctive methods reveal about the states they serve. The Executive Certificate in Foreign Intelligence Tradecraft offers a rare, practitioner-led journey inside the intelligence systems transforming the global security environment. Moving beyond a traditional survey of agencies and organizations, the program examines how Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the United Kingdom, Israel, and NATO collect intelligence, conduct operations, build partnerships, exploit technology, employ proxies, and convert information into national power.
Students will learn from high-level experts who have operated in the intelligence, defense, national security, and foreign-policy arenas. These practitioners bring forward insights that cannot be gained from textbooks alone—connecting intelligence doctrine and organizational structure to real-world operations, strategic decision-making, emerging threats, and lessons drawn from professional experience.
This program also ventures into territory rarely integrated into conventional intelligence education: the growing privatization of intelligence and national security capabilities. Students will investigate how commercial intelligence firms, technology platforms, defense contractors, private security companies, and state-linked proxy organizations are transforming who can collect intelligence, exercise influence, provide security, and project power.
Through expert instruction, comparative analysis, and compelling case studies, students will develop the ability to recognize distinctive tradecraft, interpret foreign intelligence behavior, evaluate capabilities and intentions, and understand how intelligence operates within broader political, military, technological, and commercial systems. This is not simply a course about intelligence agencies. It is an opportunity to understand how some of the world’s most secretive and consequential institutions think, compete, and operate—taught by experts who understand the field from the inside.
KEY DETAILS
Who Will Benefit:
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Intelligence, Defense & Policy
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National Security
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Private Sector & Business Intelligence
Where:
Live-Online (Synchronous)
Duration:
4 Weeks, 8 Modules, 3 Credits
When:
Summer (July 2027)
Tuition:
$2,550
Stand Out in a Competitive Intelligence Career Field:
Intelligence employers need professionals who can do more than describe foreign organizations—they need analysts who can recognize distinctive tradecraft, interpret adversary behavior, compare intelligence capabilities, and understand how intelligence supports national power. This program gives you specialized knowledge of the world’s most consequential intelligence systems, alliances, proxy networks, and private-sector actors. Whether you are pursuing or advancing a career in government, national security, defense, geopolitical risk, cybersecurity, corporate intelligence, or international affairs, this expertise will distinguish you from candidates with a more general understanding of the field.
Program Key Takeaways:
* Understand the World’s Most Consequential Intelligence Systems — Examine the organizations, strategic cultures, capabilities, and priorities of Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the United Kingdom, Israel, and NATO. * Recognize Distinctive Intelligence Tradecraft — Learn how foreign actors employ human intelligence, cyber operations, deception, surveillance, influence, proxy networks, and economic espionage to advance national objectives. * Recognize Intelligence as an Instrument of National Power — Understand how states integrate intelligence with military operations, diplomacy, commerce, technology, criminal networks, and information warfare. * Evaluate Intelligence Partnerships, Proxies, and Private Actors — Explore how governments extend their reach through allied services, multinational intelligence-sharing arrangements, commercial firms, contractors, and deniable intermediaries. * Think Like a Comparative Intelligence Analyst — Develop a practical framework for assessing an actor’s capabilities, intentions, constraints, vulnerabilities, and likely behavior within a rapidly changing global intelligence environment.
COURSE OVERVIEW
MODULE 1 – RUSSIA, INTELLIGENCE, ACTIVE MEASURES & POLITICAL WARFARE Russia treats intelligence as an instrument of continuous political warfare—not simply as a means of collecting information. This module examines the historical foundations and modern activities of Russia’s principal intelligence and security services, including the FSB, SVR, and GRU. Students will explore Russia’s use of human intelligence, covert influence, deception, disinformation, cyber operations, proxy actors, political subversion, and “active measures.” Particular attention will be given to how Russian intelligence integrates espionage with military, diplomatic, criminal, and information operations to weaken adversaries, manipulate perceptions, and create strategic uncertainty. MODULE 2 – CHINA: WHOLE-OF-STATE INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS China operates one of the world’s most expansive intelligence systems, drawing upon government agencies, military organizations, businesses, universities, research institutions, technology platforms, and overseas networks. This module examines the roles of the Ministry of State Security, the People’s Liberation Army, the United Front Work Department, and other elements of China’s intelligence architecture. Students will investigate China’s long-term approach to intelligence collection, economic and technological espionage, cyber-enabled acquisition, talent recruitment, influence operations, and the strategic use of large-scale data. The module reveals how Beijing combines intelligence, commerce, diplomacy, and technology in pursuit of national power. MODULE 3 – IRAN: ASYMMETRIC INTELLIGENCE & PROXY NETWORKS Iran has developed an intelligence model designed to compensate for conventional military and economic limitations. Its services rely heavily on asymmetric operations, regional partnerships, proxy organizations, covert networks, cyber capabilities, and ideological influence. Students will examine the intelligence roles of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the Quds Force. The module explores how Iran uses human networks, partner organizations, cyber operations, surveillance, information activities, and covert action to extend its influence across the Middle East and beyond. Students will learn how intelligence can enable a state to project power far beyond its conventional capabilities. MODULE 4 – NORTH KOREA: REGIME SECURITY, CYBER OPERATIONS & ILLICIT NETWORKS North Korea’s intelligence system serves two closely connected purposes: protecting the ruling regime and generating strategic advantage abroad. Operating under extraordinary secrecy and international isolation, North Korean services have developed unconventional methods for espionage, political coercion, cyber operations, sanctions evasion, and revenue generation. This module investigates North Korea’s intelligence organizations, overseas networks, cyber units, front companies, and state-directed illicit activities. Students will examine how the regime uses intelligence collection, infiltration, deception, cryptocurrency theft, influence activities, and global procurement networks to preserve political control and sustain national capabilities despite extensive international sanctions. MODULE 5 – UNITED KINGDOM: INTELLIGENCE PARTNERSHIPS & GLOBAL TRADECRAFT The United Kingdom maintains one of the world’s most respected intelligence systems and remains a central actor in global intelligence cooperation. Its services combine centuries of institutional experience with advanced capabilities in human intelligence, signals intelligence, security, cyber operations, and strategic assessment. Students will examine the distinctive responsibilities of MI5, MI6, GCHQ, and the United Kingdom’s broader intelligence community. The module explores British intelligence culture, international liaison relationships, the Five Eyes partnership, parliamentary oversight, and the relationship between intelligence and national decision-making. It also considers how the United Kingdom continues to exercise global influence through intelligence partnerships despite its comparatively limited geographic and economic size. MODULE 6 – ISRAEL: INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION, INNOVATION & PREEMPTION Israel’s intelligence system has been shaped by persistent security threats, limited strategic depth, and the need to identify emerging dangers before they become existential crises. The result is an intelligence culture that emphasizes innovation, rapid integration, operational initiative, and preemption. This module examines Mossad, Shin Bet, Aman, Unit 8200, and the wider Israeli intelligence and security structure. Students will explore Israel’s integration of human intelligence, signals intelligence, cyber capabilities, military intelligence, counterterrorism, and technological innovation. Case studies will demonstrate how intelligence supports warning, disruption, national defense, and high-stakes decision-making in an exceptionally complex security environment. MODULE 7 – NATO: MULTINATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SHARING & COLLECTIVE SECURITY NATO presents a fundamentally different intelligence challenge: transforming information collected by numerous sovereign countries into shared understanding and coordinated action. Unlike a national intelligence service, the Alliance must reconcile different capabilities, priorities, legal systems, classifications, threat perceptions, and political interests. Students will examine how NATO facilitates intelligence sharing, indications and warning, strategic assessment, operational planning, and collective defense. The module explores intelligence fusion, interoperability, alliance security, disclosure limitations, and the challenges of building trust among member states. Students will learn why intelligence cooperation can become one of an alliance’s greatest strengths—and one of its most persistent vulnerabilities. MODULE 8 – PRIVATIZATION OF INTELLIGENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY CAPABILITIES Intelligence and security are no longer the exclusive domain of governments. Commercial intelligence firms, technology companies, defense contractors, private security providers, and state-linked proxy organizations now collect information, assess threats, protect strategic interests, and sometimes operate inside conflict zones. Students will compare organizations ranging from corporate intelligence consultancies and data-driven threat platforms to private military companies and Russian proxy networks such as the Wagner Group. The module examines what happens when governments and corporations outsource intelligence and security functions—including the advantages of specialized expertise and rapid deployment, as well as serious questions involving accountability, transparency, legal authority, profit incentives, and the use of force.
Dr. Elena Taube Bailey
Dr. Bailey brings a wealth of expertise spanning intelligence, policy, defense, and academia, as well as the nonprofit and private sectors. In academia, Dr. Bailey serves as the President and Program Director of Cyberpsychology at The Academy. Additionally, Dr. Bailey is a professor at the National Defense University’s College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), where she teaches courses on influence warfare, cyberspace, national security, and strategic communication. She also holds the position of Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, within the Master of Professional Studies in Applied Intelligence program. Dr. Bailey is the co-founder and CEO of Glocal, the world’s pioneering News Superintelligence platform, combining human collective intelligence and AI to elevate the information environment. Fluent in English, Russian, Ukrainian, and conversational Hebrew, Dr. Bailey resides in the Washington Metropolitan Area with her husband. Counterintelligence & Intelligence: Dr. Bailey served as a senior counterintelligence (CI) specialist at the Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), where she focused on CI and worldwide cyber threat analysis. DTRA enables the DoD and the U.S. Government to prepare for and combat WMDs and improvised threats and to ensure nuclear deterrence. The agency’s legacy extends back to the Manhattan Engineering Project that was created to develop the world’s first atomic bomb during World War II. Prior to DTRA, Dr. Bailey served as a senior CI analyst at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), where she supported joint CI operations and led a program that drove intelligence integration and collaboration across the intelligence community (IC). During this time, Dr. Bailey also served as a Regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) to the DoD, Department of the Army, focusing on geographic, economic, industry, political, security, and geopolitical issues in Ukraine. Before her tenure at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Dr. Bailey served as an Intelligence Analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she collaborated closely with operations on counterterrorism initiatives. Additionally, Dr. Bailey successfully completed a rotation with the U.S. Department of State’s Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications where she specialized in developing and executing overt counterterrorism messaging operations. Foreign Governments: Between 2006 and 2007, Dr. Bailey provided political and media analysis, as well as, conducted public relations and strategic communication at the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco. Local Government & Politics: In 2009, Dr. Bailey served as a Legislative Deputy Assistant to Councilman Greig Smith, who was succeeded by Councilman Mitchell Englander, at the Los Angeles City Hall, Council District 12, representing the San Fernando Valley. More specifically, Dr. Bailey developed and maintained relationships between the district office and the diverse constituents in District 12. She also managed public relations with local, state and federal bodies, organizations, and the LA Joint Terrorism Taskforce (JTTF)—a partnership between the FBI and other law enforcement agencies charged with countering terrorism. Between 2004 and 2005, Dr. Bailey worked as a Presidential Campaign Coordinator in Fremont, CA. Then in 2007, she went on to serve as the Field Manager of California Region 3, for a presidential candidate. Education: Dr. Bailey completed a Ph.D. in Strategic Communication from George Mason University. She received a Masters Degree in Psychology from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business with a focus in marketing, strategy and management. She had also received a Masters Degree in Politics with a focus in International Relations and American Government from New York University (NYU). Additionally, Dr. Bailey holds a Certificate in Intelligence Analysis from the Sherman Kent school for Intelligence Analysis, which is a training school for CIA intelligence analysts, a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Marketing Management from Georgetown University, and a Graduate Certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies from the Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Dr. Bailey had pursued her undergraduate studies at Harvard University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and UCLA where she graduated with honors and earned a B.A. in Political Science with a focus in International Relations and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies.
Dr. Howard Gambrill Clark
Professor Gambrill Clark has specialized in influence strategies and psychological warfare for 27 years. He graduated from Yale University with a degree in international relations focusing on the Middle East. While a student, Dr. Clark was a writer for U.S. Information Agency's Middle East / South Asia Division; served on the staff of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; and studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo via a Department of Defense grant. After Yale, Dr. Clark served as policy analyst in the Executive Office of the President for the President’s Chief Economic Adviser, focusing on counterterrorism. Following the White House, Dr. Clark served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an intelligence officer and multi-national / special-unit commander with multiple deployments to Iraq as well as Afghanistan and the Philippines. After military service, Dr. Clark was presidentially appointed as Department of Homeland Security Chief Intelligence Officer's Special Assistant. Then, as Senior Intelligence Analyst for Homeland Security Counter-Radicalization, Dr. Clark helped lead the Intelligence Community in intelligence support to countering violent extremism. He was then promoted to Senior Intelligence Officer for Homeland Security Operations Intelligence (headquarters) before acting as consultant (contracted Senior Intelligence Analyst) to Special Operations Command's Counter-Radicalization Branch. While earning his Ph.D. from King's College London War Studies, he served as senior counter-violent-extremism adviser and trainer for USAID, USSOCOM, USDA, DOS, Special Forces, USMC, NATO, and partner governments in southwest Asia and Associate Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation. Recent positions includes: CEO, Stability Institute (non-profit) - training and advising special operators and stabilization professionals on defeating extremist groups throughout five continents. Faculty, National Defense College (UAE) - director and coordinator for 'Countering-Violent-Extremism,' 'Information and Cyberwarfare,' 'Media and National Security,' and 'International Security' programs (sponsored by the U.S. National Defense University) Lecturer, Civil and Political School (Ukraine) He is now the president of Narrative Strategies, where he teaches and researches the fields of strategic influence, psychological warfare, counterterrorism, and countering violent extremism. He is also an associate professor of influence strategy and psychological warfare in Washington, DC. Select books / theses: Influence Warfare Volume I: A Blueprint, Narrative Strategies Ink, Washington, DC, 2021 Information Warfare: The Lost Tradecraft, Narrative Strategies, LLC, Washington, DC, 2017 Information as an Instrument of State Power: A Primer, UAE National Defense College, UAE General Headquarters, 2017 Countering Violent Extremism: A Primer, UAE National Defense College, UAE General Headquarters, 2017 Defeating Violent Extremists: The Tradecraft, UAE National Defense College, UAE General Headquarters, 2016 Village Stability Operations, U.S. Army Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute, 2015 (coauthor) Lions of Marjah: Why Marjah’s Militia Combats Violent Extremists, King’s College London thesis, 2014 Revolt Against Al-Qa`ida: A Strategy to Empower Muslims and Collapse International Insurgency, Light of New Orleans Publishing, New Orleans, 2010 Narrative Analysis: Taliban, Special Operations Command, Tampa, 2010 (coauthor) Kill Al Qaeda, Light of New Orleans Publishing, New Orleans, 2009 Select articles and chapters: "War and Narrative," chapter in Dangerous Narratives: Warfare, Strategy, Statecraft, Narrative Strategies Ink, 2020. "How to Teach Influence: Thoughts on a New Discipline," article in Teaching Public Diplomacy and the Information Instruments of Power in a Complex Media Environment, National War College and U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, Washington, DC 2020. “Money and Stabilization,” National Defense Journal, National Defense College, UAE, June 2017 “The Responsibility to Protect in the Context of State-Sponsored Terror,” Defense and Intelligence Norway,” July 2016 (coauthor) “Go Local,” American Interest, July/August 2015 “Regimental Effects Operations Center: Enhancing Situational Awareness and Achieving Unity of Effort in Nonkinetics,” The Marine Corps Gazette, Volume 96, Issue 8, 2012 (supporting author) “Ending Al Qaeda,” American Interest, Volume 6, Number 6, July/August 2011 (coauthor) “The Accidental Ideologue,” Jane's Terrorism and Security Monitor, 2010 Twenty-eight classified or official-use-only cross-Intelligence-Community strategic assessments on countering al-Qa`ida for cabinet-level leaders and White House, 2007 – 2009 Three National Economic Council damage assessments for potential biological terrorist attacks, 2001 Six articles on Middle East leadership and Iraqi resistance for Department of State, 1999.