 Rollins College recently welcomed four distinguished panelists to discuss "Intelligence Requirements for the 21st Century." More than 425 people attended the standing room only event in the Bush Auditorium.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, U.S. Senator Bob Graham was one of the distinguished guests. He talked about growing up in Florida and discussed the changes in intelligence gathering that have occurred since World War II. Senator Graham also described his role in the creation of a joint intelligence committee for Congress.
Dr. Zieba Shorish-Shamley, Executive Director of the Women's Alliance for Peace and Human Rights in Afghanistan, captivated listeners as she candidly spoke about what she considered the errors in American intelligence gathering in her native Afghanistan. She recommended greater sensitivity to the local cultures, and strongly criticized Middle Eastern governments for being so reluctant to accept democracy. She also warned of expanding troubles with resentful Muslims worldwide if American forces invade Iraq without the backing of the United Nations.
 This picture shows U.S. Senator Bob Graham (fourth from left) surrounded by fellow panelists and Rollins faculty members.
Two members of RAND (a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy decision making through research and analysis) were also on the panel, senior RAND analyst Dr. Bruce Berkowitz, and Kevin O'Connell, manager of RAND Intelligence Community Programs. O'Connell covered a number of themes, and said that information is being gathered but not adequately analyzed. "Intelligence is above all about outthinking your enemies," O'Connell noted.
Rollins anthropology professor Robert Moore reflected that, "Panelists helped shake us loose from the pre-conceptions we were carrying from the Cold War days. During the event, specialists shared detailed information about the new kinds of challenges intelligence agencies are faced with. It was also a great opportunity for students to hear first hand what today's intelligence challenges are."
The Intelligence Panel was sponsored by Rollins College and its Thomas P. Johnson Distinguished Visiting Scholars Fund, Global Connections for Central Florida, and Orlando Sentinel Communications.
Photo Credit: Robert Hartley
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