SciencePolitics

How populist leaders dismantle intelligence agencies from within: New study reveals the 'intelligence cyclone'

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 13/11/2026, 02:10:24 UTC.

Briefings

A joint study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem published in Contemporary Security Policy reveals that populist leaders systematically undermine intelligence agencies by treating them as political adversaries. This research indicates that such leadership styles disrupt objective threat analysis, leaving democracies vulnerable to catastrophic surprise attacks. The study identifies a specific mechanism where populist rhetoric transforms national security bodies into echo chambers focused on internal political conflict rather than external threats.

Key points

• A joint study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem published in Contemporary Security Policy reveals how populist leaders systematically undermine intelligence agencies by treating them as political adversaries.
• When populist politicians treat secret services as 'deep state' adversaries, they disrupt objective threat analysis and leave democracies blind to catastrophic surprise attacks.

Context

Research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem published in Contemporary Security Policy warns that populist leaderships undermine intelligence agencies, transforming national security bodies into political echo chambers.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to the specific findings of the joint study published in Contemporary Security Policy. The research does not provide causal claims about specific historical events, nor does it offer forecasts or predictions about future trends. The study focuses on the theoretical mechanism of populism's impact on intelligence agencies rather than detailing specific case studies or named actors.

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