Public Intelligence in Public Diplomacy

U.S. Strategic Intelligence Sharing in the New Age of Great Power Competition

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution of intelligence sharing as a tool of public diplomacy through analysis of two recent cases: the U.S. intelligence disclosures preceding Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the 2023 Chinese surveillance balloon incident. Drawing on declassified documents and contemporary reporting, the article demonstrates how intelligence sharing has transformed from a purely operational tool into a sophisticated instrument of public diplomacy. The paper reveals distinct approaches to intelligence disclosure: systematic pre-emptive sharing in Ukraine versus rapid crisis response during the balloon incident. Both cases, however, demonstrate the U.S. Intelligence Community’s growing sophistication in balancing operational security with strategic communication needs. Through comparative analysis, the article identifies key patterns in how intelligence sharing can shape international narratives, build coalition support, and counter adversary messaging while maintaining credibility and protecting sources. This evolution in intelligence sharing practices, formalised in U.S. Intelligence Community Directive 405, represents a significant development in how intelligence services engage with both foreign governments and public audiences in an era of digital information warfare and great power competition.