The midterm assignment requires students to conduct a threat analysis of a foreign intelligence entity targeting the U.S., focusing on transnational and specific intelligence threats. The analysis should be six to eight pages, utilizing a combination of course materials and external research, following specific formatting guidelines. The paper will account for 40% of the final grade and will be evaluated based on clarity, content knowledge, critical thinking, organization, and writing conventions.

1. Midterm Assignment Instructions (due 31 August)
The mid-term essay will be the development of a general threat
analysis of the US using the perspective of a foreign
intelligence entity or service.
Foreign Intelligence Entity (FIE) Threat Analysis
The CIA's Counterintelligence Center Analysis Group (CIC/AG)
identifies, monitors, and analyzes the efforts of FIEs against US
persons, activities, and interests. CIC/AG analysts focus on two
specific types of counterintelligence threats to US national
security:
1. Transnational threats, such as the counterintelligence aspect
of terrorism or the threats posed by emerging or changing
technologies to the US Government, intelligence operations, and
US Government information systems; and
2. Threats posed by FIEs and their activities.
Value:
This Assignment counts for 40% of your Final Course Grade
for this course.
Objective:
This assignment, in accordance with undergraduate academic
endeavors, provides an opportunity to evaluate assimilation of
course topics, and sharpen and evaluate students' research &
critical thinking skills. The assignment is driven & tested by a
combination of course materials and external self-led research
(depending upon essay[s] selected); analyzed and presented in
essay(s) form.

2. Type:
This assignment consists of a research analysis paper
approximately
six to eight pages in length, double-spaced
(This page count does not include a title page, abstract
(optional), table of contents (optional), Reference/Bibliography
page(s), or Endnotes page(s) (if used)). The source material
should result primarily from self-led external research of
scholarly articles. In addition, the course required reading
materials may be used. The paper should have six to eight
pages of content which are the written results of your research
efforts.
Topic:
Develop a general threat analysis of a Foreign Intelligence
Entity (FIE) of your choosing that is targeting the US.
Examples include Russia's SVR, Iran's MOIS, Al Qaeda (or any
of its 'subsidiaries'), North Korea's Reconnaissance Bureau, or
Venezuela's Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, etc.
A FIE is any known or suspected foreign organization, person,
or group (public, private, or governmental) that conducts
intelligence activities to acquire U.S. information, block or
impair U.S. intelligence collection, influence U.S. policy, or
disrupt U.S. systems and programs. This term includes a foreign
intelligence and security service [FISS] and international
terrorist organizations. (JP 1-02; JP 2-01.2, CI & HUMINT in
Joint Operations, 16 Mar 2011; and DoDD 5240.06, CIAR, 17
May 2011)
The components of your FIE threat analysis should include a
full overview of the FIE (strength, location, organizational
structures (if known), whether they operate under official cover

3. or operate under unofficial cover--inside corporations, etc.).
Detail the FIE's mission, and specific known and suspected US
targets.
[Do not select the People's Republic of Chine (PRC - Mainland
or Communist China) as your FIE, since this is the focus of the
Final Essay -- a paper on PRC will not be accepted.]
Your FIE threat analysis should use the three general threat
categories: low, medium, and high, to estimate the FIE's threat
against the following types of US targets:
1) personnel, installations, and facilities
2) technology, defense industry, and communications
3) sensitive military and intelligence operations, such as
intelligence collection, research & development, covert action,
identifying US intelligence personnel, etc.
For each of these three areas, research open sources and
include specific details of that research to justify your FIE
threat assessment.
Use events, dates, activities, names, places, etc., to back up
your analysis and conclusions.
Note: If you are
not
a US citizen, then you can choose to do an assessment of a
selected FIE threat against your own country.
Format:
Your paper requires a Title page, citations, and a bibliography.
Your paper should be in the Chicago/Turabian format
(http://www.apus.edu/Online-Library/tutorials/chicago.htm) --

4. Also see the Turabian Quick Guide in the Resources.
Grading:
Your research analysis essay will be graded using the following
rubric.
20
-
Focus/Thesis
- Student exhibits a defined and clear understanding of the
assignment. Thesis is clearly defined and well-constructed to
help guide the reader throughout the assignment. Student builds
upon the thesis of the assignment with well-documented and
exceptional supporting facts, figures, and/or statements.
20
-
Content/Subject Knowledge
- Student demonstrates proficient command of the subject
matter in the assignment. Assignment shows an impressive level
of depth of student’s ability to relate course content to practical
examples and applications. Student provides comprehensive
analysis of details, facts, and concepts in a logical sequence.
20
-
Critical Thinking Skills
- Student demonstrates a higher-level of critical thinking
necessary for 300-400 level work. Learner provides a strategic
approach in presenting examples of problem solving or critical
thinking, while drawing logical conclusions which are not
immediately obvious. Student provides well-supported ideas and
reflection with a variety of current and/or world views in the
assignment. Student presents a genuine intellectual development

5. of ideas throughout assignment.
20
-
Organization of Ideas/Format
- Student thoroughly understands and excels in explaining all
major points. An original, unique, and/or imaginative approach
to overall ideas, concepts, and findings is presented. Overall
format of assignment includes an appropriate introduction (or
abstract), well- developed paragraphs, and conclusion. Finished
assignment demonstrates student’s ability to plan and organize
research in a logical sequence. Student uses required number of
academic sources or beyond.
20
-
Writing Conventions (Grammar and Mechanics)
- Student demonstrates an excellent command of grammar, as
well as presents research in a clear and concise writing style.
Presents a thorough and extensive understanding of word usage.
Student excels in the selection and development of a well-
planned research assignment. Assignment is error-free and
reflects student’s ability to prepare a high-quality academic
assignment.