Why Deep Space Nine needed an intelligence office

Alex Clarke criticizes Starfleet's increasing professionalism in science and engineering alongside its amateurish treatment of war. He considers intelligence capacity essential for a federation facing organized rivals, with Deep Space Nine's wormhole making it an obvious collection post. Other participants raise Bajoran sovereignty and the risk of expulsion if a concealed operation were exposed. Suggested arrangements include a deniable trading business, engineers with intelligence duties, or a joint office monitoring Cardassia. A joint office could offer Bajor information it wanted while giving Starfleet personnel a presence on the station.