Hence, my last sentence. But I've always understood a part of counter-intelligence is to counter the intelligence gathering of an adversary, or I suppose ally

Hence, my last sentence. But I've always understood a part of counter-intelligence is to counter the intelligence gathering of an adversary, or I suppose ally as well depending on circumstances. Which is what you are saying with your second point. Therefore, there is someone to catch doing it, just in a broad definition of the term.