  In this paper, I will take a synoptic approach to determining the
intergalactic infrared radiation field (IIRF). This approach draws on both the
multi-TeV gamma-ray observations and the infrared background observations and
relates them via the semi-empirical modelling method of Malkan and Stecker. I
discuss the evidence for an intergalactic infrared background obtained by an
analysis of the HEGRA observations of the high energy gamma-ray spectrum of Mrk
501 and from constraints from Mrk 421 deduced from the Whipple air Cherenkov
telescope results. I will show that this evidence is in accord with the
predictions made by Malkan and Stecker for the intergalactic infrared spectral
energy distribution produced by galaxies. The Malkan-Stecker predictions are
also in excellent agreement with mid- and far infrared galaxy counts. However,
there may be potential problems relating these predictions with the results of
the analysis of COBE-DIRBE far infrared data. The gamma-ray and COBE-DIRBE
observations may also need to be reconciled. I will discuss possible ways to
resolve this situation including a partial nullification of the $\gamma$-ray
absorption process which can hypothetically occur if Lorentz invariance is
broken.
