? about intel

There sure is. Intel points that you don't allocate toward empires are allocated to defending your empire from espionage by default.

If you look near the top-right of the screen you will see how your "unused" intel points are actually defending you.

I know, this is counter-intuitive. You're used to the Research screen where unused research points...are really unused and wasted.

Also, using points for defense is 20% more efficient than for offence.