Fascinating interview with intelligence historian Matthew Aid, author of new book Intel Wars, on NPR’s Fresh Air Well worth listening to. Why America’s Spies Struggle To Keep Up “In Intel Wars, historian Matthew Aid details how bureaucratic policies and a glut of raw data have weakened the intelligence community in its war against would-be terrorists.”
Tag Archives: Counterterror
Financial Cryptography: over 30K EU identity stolen per year
Financial Cryptography reports that
A classified Dutch government report has revealed that criminals stole 341,956 passports, identity cards, visa stickers and drivers’ licences from European government facilities since 2000.
Financial Cryptography, citing 341,956 blank EU travel documents in criminal hands on NRC Handelsblad (in English).
In other words, not only government intelligence services have access to false identity documents. See our earlier coverage of this issue: Hamas claims Israel assassinated commander in Dubai – Wikinews, the free news source
Obama and The People Fight Terrorism
President Barack Obama
In response to the Christmas Day attempted terror attack, President Obama’s actions and former Vice President Cheney’s comments highlight the differences between the two administrations: The Bush Administration was famous for not being “Reality Based” (NY Times). The Obama Administration investigates first, thinks, and ACTS(Reuters), while accepting responsibility for any failures. “Ultimately, the buck stops with me,” Obama said. “As president, I have a solemn responsibility to protect our nation and our people.” (CS Monitor)
On 12/29/9, President Obama said it was a systemic failure (Christian Science Monitor). On 1/3/10, he said the attack was planned in Yemen (NY Times). We also know he approved US counter-terror strikes in Yemen, which occurred on 12/24/09 (NPR / NYTimes) and which killed Al Queda Terrorists. Continue reading