NOMINEES: Barack Obama introduces Leon Panetta, left, and Dennis Blair, his choices for key intelligence posts. They are likely to be at the center of an intense policy debate. Mark Wilson / Getty ImagesObama's Intelligence Team Entering New Era In Counter-Terrorism -- L.A. Times
It promises a break from Bush policies. But questions remain on what will come next.
Reporting from Washington -- With the introduction of President-elect Barack Obama's intelligence team on Friday, the United States is poised to enter what might be considered the second phase in the counter-terrorism campaign launched after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Obama and his spy chief nominees have promised a dramatic break with the policies of the Bush administration, largely by focusing attention on what they intend to undo -- including shutting down the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison complex and ending the CIA's use of "enhanced" interrogation techniques.
But the incoming administration has been less clear about what it will erect to replace those programs, which drew condemnation from much of the world but often were cited by Bush administration officials as key to keeping the country safe.
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More News On The Changing Shape Of American Intelligence
Obama's new spy chiefs to break with Bush years -- AFP
Barack Obama's counterterrorism will be counter to George Bush's -- Chicago Tribune
SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team -- Reuters
Obama Under Pressure On Interrogation Policy -- Washington Post
Dems signal CIA interrogators not held responsible -- Yahoo News/AP
Obama names Panetta, Blair as top spymasters -- Reuters
Choice of Panetta to head CIA likely to raise hackles in spy circles -- Globe And Mail
Not a Company Man -- New York Times Editorial
Brennan is steeped in counterterrorism work -- AP
Obama gives outspoken ex-spy key White House job -- Reuters
Obama Is Reported Set to Revise Counterterrorism Efforts -- New York Times
Report: Major changes coming in counterterrorism -- USA Today
Obama to revamp counterterrorism efforts: report -- Reuters
The Counterterrorist -- Frontline
My Comment: I learned a long time ago that if something is not broken .... why fix it?
The United States has not had a terrorist attack since 9/11. This tells me that U.S. Intelligence has clearly been successful in stopping terrorist attacks and/or discouraging them from happening. The U.S. Intelligence team has been there for a long time, and their tactics have clearly proven to be effective.
President-elect Obama and the Democratic Congress have a different interpretation. The old team is clearly on the way out, and a new policy and strategy is to be implemented. If this new strategy was due to obvious strategic and tactical failures, I would say yes .... change away. But since there are no obvious strategic or tactical failures on the part of the U.S. Intelligence Community to prevent terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, I would then have to assume that these changes are grounded in politics, and nothing to do with U.S. Secuirty or Intelligence.
Because of this lack of information on why everything must change now .... it is imperitave that this be pointed out and the public be informed of what is happening. And .... heaven forbid ..... if the worse case scenario of another 9/11 attack occurs under President Obama's watch, accountability must squarely go to his desk and those in Congress who supported this change in policy.