Reassessment of Counterintelligence in National Security: The Case of Kosovo

AbstractKosovo has faced significant challenges in terms of national security since the postwar period. In this context, counterintelligence services play a crucial role in preventing internal and external threats. However, Kosovo still does not have an effective and strong counterintelligence service, relying entirely on information and services provided by international allies. The mechanism of counterintelligence is mentioned in the preamble of the law of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, but without any specific role. The purpose of this article is to analyze the case of Kosovo in strengthening the need for counterintelligence services, as well as analyzing which counterintelligence model would be suitable for Kosovo. Specific recommendations are made for creating a strong and effective counterintelligence service in Kosovo, including the measures that local authorities and international allies need to take to achieve this goal. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1 Prime Minister’s Office, Kosovo Security Strategy 2022–2027 (2022), https://kryeministri.rks-gov.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2-Strategjia-e-Sigurise-e-Kosoves-ENG.pdf, p. 10.2 Ibid., p. 6.3 Ibid., p. 7.4 David C. Martin, Wilderness of Mirrors: Intrigue, Deception and the Secrets That Destroyed Two of the Cold War’s Most Important Agents (Globe Pequot Press, 2003).5 U.S. Naval War College, “Intelligence Studies: Counterintelligence,” 23 January 2023,https://usnwc.libguides.com/c.php?g=494120&p=33815656 Blake W. Mobley and Carl Anthony Wege, “Counterintelligence Vetting Techniques Compared across Multiple Domains,” International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, Vol. 34, No. 1 (2021), pp. 78–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/08850607.2020.18366037 Abram N. Shulsky and Gary J. Schmitt, Silent Warfare: Understanding the World of Intelligence (Washington, DC: Potomac Books, 2002), p. 99.8 Thomas C. Bruneau and Steven C. Boraz, Reforming Intelligence: Obstacles of Democratic Control and Effectiveness (University of Texas Press, 2007), p. 242. https://doi.org/10.7560/7166059 John Ehrman, “Toward a Theory of Counterintelligence: What Are We Talking About When We Talk About Counterintelligence?” Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 53, No. 2 (2009), pp. 1–12.10 Henry Prunckun, “Extending the Theoretical Structure of Intelligence to Counterintelligence,” Salus Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2 (2014), pp. 31–49.11 Institute for Democracy and Mediation, “Security Issues K14,” Quarterly Journal, Vol 1, No. 1 (2009), pp. 143–154.12 Paul J. Redmond, “The Challenges of Counterintelligence,” in The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence, edited by Loch K. Johnson (Oxford University Press, 2010), pp. 537–554.13 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), “Allied Joint Doctrine for Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Security [AJP-2],” (2016), http://standards.globalspec.com/std/9994887/nato-ajp-214 Petrus Duvenage, “Counterintelligence,” in Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries, edited by Henry Prunckun (Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher, 2013), pp. 93–109.15 Prunckun, “Extending the Theoretical Structure of Intelligence to Counterintelligence,” pp. 31–49.16 Ibid.17 Ministere des Armees, Direction du renseignement et de la securite de la defense, “Presentation of the DRSD: The Missions of the DRSD” (2023), https://www.drsd.defense.gouv.fr/presentation-de-la-drsd-en18 Alan Cunningham, “Counterintelligence in the 21st Century: The Need for Integration,” War Room: U.S. Army War College, 17 March 2021, https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/articles/ci-integration/19 National Counterintelligence and Security Center, “National Counterintelligence Strategy of the United States of America 2020–2022” (Washington, DC: The White House, 2020),https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/features/20200205-National_CI_Strategy_2020_2022.pdf20 Counterintelligence, “Three Activities of CI” (n.d.),https://www.scribd.com/document/148504731/CounterIntelligence-221 U.S. Naval War College, “Intelligence Studies.”22 Shanika Wickramasinghe, “Cyber Counterintelligence (CCI): Offensive & Defensive Strategies for Cybersecurity,” Splunk, 6 March 2023,https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/cci-cyber-counterintelligence.html23 NATO, “Allied Joint Doctrine for Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Security [AJP-2].24 Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive, “Protecting Key Assets: A Corporate Counterintelligence Guide” (n.d.),https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/ci/CI_Guide_2011_Web-508.pdf, p. 3.25 Ibid.26 U.S. Naval War College, “Intelligence Studies.”27 Katie Keller, “HUMINT vs. Counterintelligence—Diving Into the Disciplines,” ClearanceJobs, 24 September 2020,https://news.clearancejobs.com/2020/09/24/humint-vs-counterintelligence-diving-into-the-disciplines/28 NATO, “Allied Joint Doctrine for Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Security [AJP-2].”29 Mirsad D. Abazoviq, “Siguria Nacionale [National Security],” Doracak Pedagogjik [Pedagogical Library], FSK/S—05/06, 2006, p. 108.30 Ibid.31 Ibid.32 Law No. 03/L-063 on the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Pristina: Year III, No. 30, 15 June 2008, https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=253833 FBI, “Counterintelligence,” The FBI's Counterintelligence Program (2023),https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence34 John Hatzadony, “The Croatian Intelligence Community,” n.d.,https://irp.fas.org/world/croatia/hatzadony.html35 Croatian Parliament, “Pursuant to Article 88 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, Promulgating the Act on the Security Intelligence System of the Republic of Croatia,” Zagreb, 30 June 2006, Class: 011-01/06-01/26, Reg. No: 71-05-03/1-06-2,https://www.soa.hr/UserFiles/File/Security_and_Intelligence_System_Act.pdf, pp. 17–18.36 Republic of Slovenia, Government Offices, “Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency: About the Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency” (2022), (ZSOVA-UPB2) (RS Official Gazette No. 81/06), https://www.gov.si/en/state-authorities/government-offices/slovenian-intelligence-and-security-agency/o-sovi/Additional informationNotes on contributorsBahri GashiBahri Gashi is a Professor at the University of Business and Technology in Pristina, Kosovo. He holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from the South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia. His recent publications include The Regional Context of Intelligence Services in the Parliamentary System: A Comparative Study of the Western Balkans (2022) and Kosovo’s Foreign Policy and NATO Membership: Opportunities and Challenges (2021).Ngadhnjim BrovinaNgadhnjim Brovina is a Professor at the University for Business and Technology in Pristina, Kosovo. His most recent publications are The Regional Context of Intelligence Services in the Parliamentary System: A Comparative Study of the Western Balkans (2022); Kosovo Society: Coexistence, Challenges and Opportunities (2022); and Institutional and Non-Institutional Actors in Policy-Making Processes: A Case Study (2023).