[Grandpa Kim]

NEVER let your counter-intel projects fill up. Take them to about 80% or 90%. If you complete them, they are gone! They only operate while active.

Once a project reaches that 80% or 90% level move it to the back of the queue and start another (or go on the offensive). When you are attacked, you will notice that your counter-intel project at the end of the queue will actually decrease in value. What I do is keep my strongest project at the back, and my weakest at the front. This takes a little management each turn when you are being attacked but will keep you safe for a long time. (In fact, only if your opponent(s) is attacking you turn after turn with more points than you can replace each turn, are you in any kind of trouble at all.) When tail-end-Charlie drops, swap it around so that you always have the best project at the end of the queue. Meanwhile, you are building up the one at the front.

Nothing is foolproof but this is a good way to keep the enemy at bay.