Quote Originally Posted by TAH View Post
...AND intentions (he is likely planning on doing) is important for the commander to make correct decisions.

Somebody has to go up and punch the guy in the nose in order to determine actual intent.
and is easier said than done.
By restricting ourselves to passive surveillance, we open ourselves up to deception by the other side.
No one here is suggesting that, only saying that all the aggressive recon work in the world will not reliably and accurately provide you intentions. You ascertain capabilities and infer probabilities but you cannot determine intent.