Among states cooperating within an Alliance or within the European Union there is no need for border crossing clandestine operations of intelligence organisations. However in other regions where - in case of a conflict - the Federal Government might get involved politically, financially, militarily - as a member of the Alliance or as member of the United Nations as well as in the case of monitoring international arms control agreements there is a sizable list of countries and issues on which the government, in particular the armed forces and the governmental institutions involved in foreign policy matters wish to obtain up-to-date information and in depth analysis. The Bundesnachrichtendienst engages its capacities where reliable and substantive information on the situation of a country or specific information on particular issues is accessible neither through diplomatic reporting nor by way of the media.
The "Bundesnachrichtendienst" is different in one important aspect from most other intelligence structures around the world: It provides consolidated analysis of a country or an issue of special interest for the government on the basis of all information available - through the government, media, research and through the Intelligence service as such. The Bundesnachrichtendienst covers all areas of international significance - let it be military in nature, diplomatic, economic or technical or be related to issues such as whitewashing of money or illegal trafficking. In many countries military intelligence is organized within the structure of the Ministry of Defence that means separately from the Foreign Intelligence Agency. The separation of intelligence structures in military and non-military intelligence and associated with different state structures has been the cause of failure and of shortcomings many times. This separation causes tension and inefficiencies.
From a „necessary evil“ to an „indispensable partnership“
The findings of the "Bundesnachrichtendienst" reach the addressees within government and armed forces by way of electronic data processing and by way of expert meetings on issues of actual interest. Contrary to the past, that means at a time when prejudice on the part of the officials within the governmental structures prevented very often meaningful exchanges on issues at hand, today there is in existence a broad network of effective cooperation between the governmental structures and the intelligence organisations. Gradually the departments of the "Bundesnachrichtendienst" are transferred to Berlin - a collocation will be brought about that was disputed through decades within and between government and Intelligence organizations. The traditional written report transmitted by special messenger has been replaced by electronic letter with up-to-date maps and charts attached. The capacity of the government to organise around-the-clock crisis management has increased substantially - in comparison with the situation during the cold war. Expert talks on current affairs and issues have become daily practice. The reports reach their point of destination - members of the government, state secretaries, military situation centres at the national and the international stage within very short time. There are - without any doubt - shortcomings and deficiencies - due to difficulties of obtaining first class material and due to budgetary constraints. These limitations have reached a critical dimension. As a result of close cooperation with friendly services around the world, capabilities and findings of partner services are used as well in the reporting to the government - to the advantage of the user of the material in the capitals of the world. In the course of military operations of various allied countries under a joint command - for instance on the territory of the former Yugoslav Federation - requirements for up to-date tactical information had increased considerably. Such requirements do not only relate to information of military significance but also, and in particular in the present circumstances regarding information on political domestic developments in regions affected by unrest and civil war situations.
The profile of requirements for intelligence based on up to-date and in-depth material and analysis is established in regular intervals by a government committee chaired by the Federal Chancery with all relevant and interested departments of government partaking. This coordination leads to detailed requirements established in talks among experts from the governmental structures and the BND. Also, the assessment of the reports submitted by the intelligence service is done by this committee under the chairmanship of the Federal Chancery.
Following the end of the Cold War intelligence capacities were reduced substantially - almost all over the world. Indeed, such capacities were no longer required in almost all questions related to the Cold War. New priorities were set, for instance requirements expanded with regard to the monitoring of the implementation of the international disarmament and arms control agreements, such as the implementation of the agreements on agreed levels of “Conventional Forces in Europe“ (CFE). Increased interest was attached to border-crossing activities of international criminal structures - called Mafia. The events in New York on September 11, 2001 did not only activate intelligence efforts in this area of international cooperation but also in connection with military operations of the members of the international Anti-Terrorism-Coalition against the network of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda and against the Taliban-regime in Afghanistan that used to be supportive to the Al Qaeda-structures. This cooperation of course includes the support for the interim and now for the permanent government in Afghanistan under President Karzai in Kabul.