InStar Trek, both Section 31 and Starfleet Intelligence are intelligence agencies linked to Starfleet, but they have different histories within theStar Trektimeline, and serve different narrative purposes.Before the formation ofStar Trek’s United Federation of Planets, Starfleet existed as an Earth-based paramilitary organizationwith the primary function of exploration. As humans became major players in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, Starfleet’s secondary mission of preserving peace became much more relevant, especially afterStar Trek: Enterprise’s Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) made contact with hostile species like the Klingons and Xindi.
InStar Trek, Starfleet and the Federation aren’t the same thing. The Federation is the governing body that unites allied member worlds, and Starfleet is technically Earth’s exploratory and peacekeeping organization, which expanded its reach to serve the entire Federation.To protect the Federation’s members and borders, Starfleet must gather information about enemies of the Federation.InStar Trek: The Original SeriesandStar Trek: The Next Generation, this task fell solely to Starfleet Intelligence, butStar Trek: Deep Space Nineintroduced Section 31as Starfleet’s secret, independently-operating, special intelligence division.
What Is Starfleet Intelligence In Star Trek
Starfleet Intelligence Carries Out Espionage To Serve Starfleet
As Starfleet’s espionage division, Starfleet Intelligence gathers intel to aid Starfleet’s military and political operations. Starfleet Intelligence provides an invaluable service duringStar Trek’s wars. Information gained by Starfleet Intelligence can be disseminated to command-level officers and others on a need-to-know basis in order to engage with hostile alien species or to broker peace, in service ofStarfleet Intelligence’s ultimate goal to protect the Federation’s borders and member worlds.Sometimes, Starfleet Intelligence uses their knowledge to develop new technology, or partners with allied intelligence agencies to share information that creates a net benefit for the Federation.
Gannet Brooks
Johanna Watts
Star Trek: Enterpriseseason 4, episode 20, “Demons” & episode 21, “Terra Prime”
Developed faulty cloaking technology in violation of the Romulan treaty
Chadwick
Michael Harney
Star Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 6, episode 15, “Honor Among Thieves”
Recruited Miles O’Brien to infiltrate the Orion Syndicate during the Dominion War
N/A
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Deputy Chief of Starfleet Intelligence; may have been murdered by Section 31
Star Trek: Picardseason 3, episode 5, “Imposters”
TNG’s Bajoran ensign turned Maquis fighter before returning to Starfleet
Michelle Hurd
Star Trek: Picardseason 3
Resigned with Admiral Picard, then returned as an undercover intelligence agent
Starfleet Intelligence employs operatives who are trusted to protect Starfleet’s secrets. Dedicated career officers oversee their operations, but Starfleet Intelligence may also assign special missions to temporary operatives, like Chief Miles O’Brien (Colm Meaney) when he was tasked with infiltrating the Orion Syndicate inStar Trek: Deep Space Nineseason 6, episode 15, “Honor Among Thieves”. Former officers, likeStar Trek: Picard’s Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) andCommander Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes), make great undercover intelligence agents or informants.As Starfleet officers, intelligence agents are expected to operate according to Federation values,with conflict arising when they don’t.
What Is Section 31 In Star Trek
The Morally Gray Section 31 Does Starfleet’s Dirty Work
Star Trek’s Section 31 operates independently of Starfleet Intelligence, more akin to the Romulan Tal Shi’ar or Cardassian Obsidian Order. Section 31 isn’t beholden to the values of the United Federation of Planets, so its operatives are allowed—some might say encouraged—to use any means necessary to accomplish their goals.Without any oversight, Section 31 does the dirty work that Starfleet can’t officially have on record.Section 31 is responsible for unethical operations likeStar Trek: Discovery’s Control, planting minefields inStar Trek: Enterprise, and the morphogenic virus that destabilizedStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Changelings.
Former Section 31 agent recalled for a new mission
Worked on Project Daedalus and Control
Alexander Siddig
Unwillingly recruited to perform Section 31 missions inDS9season 6 & 7
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Transporter clone who faked his death
Despite being invented forDS9,Star Trekprequels show that Section 31 has always existed.Star Trek: Enterpriseretconned Section 31’s existence to before the Federation’s founding,creating a loophole that lets Section 31 operate outside Federation law.Star Trek Into Darknessrevealed Section 31 existed in J.J. Abrams' Kelvin Timeline. InStar Trek: Discovery,Section 31 was more of an open secret, since its existence was freely discussed, and Section 31 agents were identified with black Starfleet badges. Paramount+’s upcoming movie,Star Trek: Section 31,may address why Section 31 became more secretive between the 23rd and 24th centuries.
Why Starfleet Has 2 Intelligence Divisions & Why Section 31 Is Different
Section 31 Can Take Drastic Measures To Protect Starfleet
Starfleet’s two intelligence divisions have different roles to play inStar Trek’s greater narrative. Starfleet Intelligence is the aboveboard espionage division of Starfleet, intended to uphold the United Federation of Planets' values.Section 31 is in charge of missions that require agents to operate with dirtier hands; as such, Section 31 agents have free rein to commit crimes to preserve the Federation’s peace. Section 31 may be distasteful, butSection 31 is necessarybecause the high road is not always the victorious one when the rest of the galaxy doesn’t operate according to Federation law.
Star Trek: Section 31 - Everything You Need To Know
Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh headlines Star Trek: Section 31, and here’s what we know about Paramount+’s first Star Trek streaming movie.
More than an idealistic vision of the future,Star Trekalso reflects the political stage when eachStar Trekshow is produced. Just likeStar Trek: The Original Seriescompared Starfleet’s Klingon conflicts to the Cold War,Star Trek: Deep Space Nineused Section 31 to comment on 1990s-era conspiracy theories. The darker edge of the Dominion War played into that paranoia to build a story arc that tookStar Trekto new heights.Section 31 does not replace Starfleet Intelligence;instead, it continues to represent distrust in institutions inStar Trek: Discoveryand the upcomingStar Trek: Section 31.
