Return to Article: Intelligence community grapples with 'daunting challenges'
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It is interesting that we've taken this long to develop even a semblence of a structure to fix the deplorable intelligence and law enforcment system that failed us on 9/11. It is a light in the long dark tunnel that Negroponte appears to be gaining a grasp upon this fragmented system. From down in the trenches it is seen as a miracle that we've not been attacked. There are two opinions to this...first, that the incorporation of our intelligence systems plugged directly into our domestic systems has been sucessful, and second, that the terrorist are on the offensive overseas and have lost their ability for command and control. London's lessons seem to contradict this second opinion which should be a lesson for us here in the U.S. Even this article that I am responding to quotes Hayden as saying that "there are no guarantees of preventing another attack." This philosophy, espoused by many of our leaders, has been a tell tale sign that even the upper eschelon of our intelligence system realizes we're not entirely prepared. The only complaint that is pervasive in the Federal system is that their are many more resources that could be employed, as was after 9/11, that have been set aside. Saying one Agency should keep close to the vest all operational activities leaves us vulnerable to us missing links and intelligence to stopping a next attack. If you look at all the post 9/11 intelligence the most of the information that would have been useful was from a variety of sources in different Agencies and local entities. The trend toward consolidating the complex investigations of terrorism and its support systems into one Agency will leave gaps and missed opportunities. As Agencies, ie. DHS, moves on and away from these investigations Hayden's words will ring even more true. Let's hope we are headed in the right direction and that we've chosen the proper structure to combat our foes. Time is yet to tell.
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