I hypothesize that an intelligence-agency- controlled political system is unaccountable to anyone, is based on distrust and deception, circumvents democracy and undermines humanity advancement for self-interest of a few ideologues.

Unfortunately, we live in times where even the most "democratic " systems are all a mirage that provides a distraction from the reality of intelligence-based-policies that circumvent political oversight. We also have artificial wars in Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Venezuela and other areas (not artificial- the killing and murders are real; the explanations are lies, used to create false support of public opinion, without the public having any clue as to the abusive nature of the intentions of the intelligence agencies.

Aren't intelligence agencies controlled by politicians (latu sensu), not necessarily the ones that were elected, with a defined, though not transparent agenda?

Google, Facebook played their role as surveillance network for intelligence agencies, but we have to search through Google all the time, (and they pretty much know all about us) and Google scholar is important for research work, now when Facebook had difficult times with all security leaks of personal information, and Facebook is ageing, teens are attracted to Instagram; don't worry Instagram is also owned by Mark zuckerberg, founder of Facebook; all details to answer the question, is another question, is an intelligence agencies control social media good for humanity,... and think, no way out..

Nuno Sidónio Andrade Pereira Not all state's are lucky enough to enjoy a power matrix that skews in favour of the people and the civilians elected governments. Often military linked authoritarian governments have intelligence agencies with unbridled power. Often they shape elections and bring their candidates into power.

Answering the main question, the whole sky vs spy or agency causing havoc in an enemy country and the enemy country's agency retaliating is a dangerous game to play in my book. I feel it negatively impacts the lives of many and therefore is bad for humanity.

Faisal Yaqoob Totally agree! The lack of transparency, the hidden agendas, the non elected powers at work, are the real threat to civilization. Adding to this the power of the financial world with an out-of-control globalization....and we have the recipe to catastrophe. Today in Europe we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW I...that didn't serve as a lesson, so we had the follow up, WW II. It's time to pay more attention to History!!! So many good things were accomplished kin the last 100 years, and many more could have been. There's still a lot of work to be done, but we have the knowledge, and the technology to do it. Let's work! Sorry for this post, a bit outside the subject, but today is a very important day for Europe, and for the World. We should stop war on this Planet!

Indeed.

Yet certain wars were the beginning of something that we use everyday and made lots of things possible. Communication, space-exploration, drones (despite their initial goal), computers. But I condone war, it is absolutely terrible and least human thing we are able to do.

On topic however:

Politics never seem to change nor the urge of governments to see what civilians are up to. I, myself, am just a student but I have seen enough to know. The fact that there was Russian interference with Dutch elections, was a minor surprise. I see the division of certain groups and see how divided we're becoming, the trust and the mistrust in the ones above us.

But can we really rely on our selves to do our own research into someones background and identify them as possible threats? Do we need Intelligence Agencies as a standalone? Probably, but are we sure enough that they do the necessary and not subsidiary? What agencies do we redeem as necessary?

As for a place in our political system, those agencies should not have a leading place, as they would color our judgement and the judgement of politicians. They should not use our own beliefs against ourselves.

But more and more, we are required to take care of our own safety and security. We have our own responsibility and our own judgement. We are not all following the herd. How hard is it to delete our facebook page or not use any social media?

I hypothesize that an intelligence-agency- controlled political system is unaccountable to anyone, is based on distrust and deception, circumvents democracy and undermines humanity advancement for self-interest of a few ideologues.

Unfortunately, we live in times where even the most "democratic " systems are all a mirage that provides a distraction from the reality of intelligence-based-policies that circumvent political oversight. We also have artificial wars in Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Venezuela and other areas (not artificial- the killing and murders are real; the explanations are lies, used to create false support of public opinion, without the public having any clue as to the abusive nature of the intentions of the intelligence agencies.