Military–Intelligence Relations: Explaining the Oxymoron

The field of civil–military relations has a rich literature firmly anchored in military history and security studies. Similarly, the emerging field of civil–intelligence relations has received growing attention in intelligence studies. But how do intelligence and the military interact as distinct professions and institutions of national security? This article explores the concept of military–intelligence relations, including its origins in theory and history, and its attendant problems in policy and practice.