I want to share with you one of the best strategic intelligence subscriptions on the internet.
A few years back when I posted the 99 intelligence resources article, readers commented that I hadn’t included NightWatch.
The truth was, I hadn’t heard of it.
After a little investigation, and subscribing to their digest, I can honestly say NightWatch is one of the best intelligence subscription services available online.
NightWatch is a must for any serious intelligence analyst.
So, what is NightWatch?
NightWatch is a daily email, sent Monday through Friday covering information about events affecting US national security interests.
The daily digest provides threat analysis and executive commentary of events that pose or advance threats to US national security.
In this weeks’ digest, NightWatch covered significant developments in North Korea, insurgent activities in Kashmir State & terrorist bombings in Afghanistan.
NightWatch covers important events in strategic conflict areas and unique comments about geopolitical developments and strategic intelligence insights.
I particularly like their frank and unapologetic approach to reporting information and analysis.
How does Nightwatch Work?
Nightwatch uses Open Source Intelligence to identify security incidents, threat warnings, and developments.
They highlight the issue and provide great analysis which clearly splits raw facts from their accurate commentary.
The NightWatch team follow a story as it develops and track it through to the end, which speaks of a dedicated team who ‘own their environment’ and finish what they start.
The organization of each edition is the same every day. NightWatch ‘follows the sun’ starting with developments in the Pacific Ocean and Asia then across the middle-east, Africa and at home.
NightWatch is an easy to read digest covering significant developments, conflict and threats in a 24hr period,
NightWatch isn’t afraid to make a call.
From Secret Beginnings…
NightWatch originally began as a highly classified publication to support the Director of Intelligence (J2) in the Pentagon.
In 2006, NightWatch became an experiment in analysis of open source intelligence.
The experiment was to determine whether unclassified data provided enough substance to support the kinds of intelligence judgments provided to senior US government officials in classified channels.
The experiment continues today…with impressive results.
NightWatch Track Record
NightWatch boasts at least 97% accuracy in its judgments since 2006.
In 2017, NightWatch published 250 editions containing 1,432 articles on 28 countries.
Those articles contained 4,801 judgments whose accuracy for the year was 99%.
Impressive.
The Man Behind the Brief
Mr John McCreary is the owner, chief editor and writer of the daily publication.
Mr McCreary was formerly a Director of the National Warning Staff, and senior intelligence officer (SL-4) responsible for current intelligence and warning in the J2.
As a highly decorated intelligence analyst in the US Defense Intelligence Agency, he has continued his work since his retirement from the DIA in 2006.
He continues to provide daily updates, based on open source information.
What makes NightWatch Unique?
The criteria for identification of threats (and commentary) is based on more than 50 years of experience in strategic intelligence analysis.
NightWatch applies unique analytical techniques derived from Dr. James Miller’s seminal work, Living Systems.
Mr McCreary believes using this method, international behaviour is highly predictable.
Who is Nightwatch for?
NightWatch is the best subscription service for people working in the geopolitical, strategic, international and foreign relations spaces.
In particular, NightWatch is an absolute must for Strategic Intelligence Analysts, Geo-political analysts, Flashpoint analysts (including those with a focus on Korea, Syria, & US tensions).
What’s the cost?
Unlike the other (often overpriced) subscription services, which can cost over $600.00 annually
NightWatch costs only $30.00 PER YEAR, which equates to $0.57c per week!
That’s approx $0.11c per email.
Tip: you can also claim your annual subscription as a tax expense.
Is it worth it?
IMO, NightWatch is a must for any informed intelligence professional.
Personally, I love the no-BS tone of the reporting and the presentation of information.
Best of all, there’s no sensationalised click bait – One email, once a day (Mon-Fri).
Just relevant information and accurate assessment.
The way intelligence should be.
For more information on the NightWatch Subscription, or to sign up – click here.
