Imagery in the UK: Britain’s troubled imagery intelligence architecture

This article examines the status, role and development of imagery intelligence inthe UK government. It is argued that imagery intelligence occupies a subordinate andmarginalised position compared to other forms of intelligence, chiefly from human sourcesand the interception of communications. The origins of that position are recounted, and theproblems arising from internal struggles over control of imagery examined. It is concludedthat the existing approach to imagery represents a serious problem and that a substantialrestructuring and upgrading of imagery intelligence is essential if UK foreign policydecision-making is to be properly informed in the 21st Century