"Intelligence studies is one of the most dynamic areas of academic study today. Traditionally is sits as a sub-field of international relations and diplomatic history, but during the last 20 years it has undergone significant changes. The work of intelligence agencies against rogue states, global Jihadists and organised crime has been at the forefront of media and public attention, and the increased demand for oversight following controversial, intelligence-based, decisions has thrown greater spotlights on the culture and governance of the various agencies. Worldwide, there are more undergraduate and graduate students studying intelligence and related fields than ever before. This recent growth in interest in intelligence and security studies has led to an increased demand for popular depictions of intelligence, and reference works to explain the architecture and underpinnings of intelligence activity. The Routledge Companion to Intelligence Studies provides a strong survey of the cutting-edge research in the field of intelligence studies ... It focuses broadly on the origins, practices, and nature of intelligence, and includes not only the classical issues but also more wide-ranging ones that address topics of recent interest in security studies. The Companion explicitly embraces the disparate approaches to intelligence studies. The approach varies across the main sections of the book, encompassing bureaucratic politics, diplomatic, history, area studies, comparative politics and mainstream international relations thought. Our overarching aim is to revel the rich tapestry of intelligence studies in both a sophisticated and an accessible way"--Preface.