Intelligence Doctrine: Conceptual Problem and Comparative

Abstract

This study seeks to develop an analytical framework for reinterpreting the politicization of intelligence through the Proximity Hypothesis, arguing that the degree of structural and functional proximity between intelligence analysts and decision-makers does not determine politicization in a deterministic way; rather, it creates a multi-level interactive environment that shapes different forms of politicization, including hard, soft, structural, and cognitive politicization. The study is guided by a central question: how does structural proximity influence the production of intelligence analysis, and what are the limits of possible analytic independence? Methodologically, the research adopts a theoretical–analytical approach based on reconstructing the relevant literature and synthesizing applied insights to develop a probabilistic explanatory model that accounts for the gradation of politicization patterns. The findings suggest that intelligence politicization is not merely the result of direct political pressure, but rather the outcome of a multi-level interaction involving institutional structure, communication channels, professional culture, and shared cognitive frameworks. Accordingly, managing proximity through appropriate institutional mechanisms can enhance the relevance and effectiveness of intelligence analysis while preserving a relative degree of analytic independence.