Topic: U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence

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Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.

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Could airport scanners detect latest Al Qaeda non-metal bomb? (+video)

A covert CIA operation in Yemen intercepted an 'undetectable' bomb intended to blow up an airplane. Authorities suspect it was the work of master bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri. Al-Asiri, who built the first underwear bomb.
CIA: We stopped "undetectable" bomb

Officials said the plot, timed to occur about a year after the death of Osama bin Laden, involved a more advanced version of the underwear bomb that failed to detonate on a plane over Detroit in December 2009.
Islamist attacks draw Nigeria and US military closer

Dealing with Islamist groups such as Nigeria's Boko Haram will require more than a purely military approach, although Nigeria welcomes training from the US military's Africa Command.
Special Forces in Afghanistan: not just taking out terrorists anymore

As conventional forces withdraw from Afghanistan, US Special Forces will take the lead in training Afghan soldiers and police – a task that takes Special Forces back to their roots.
Reports on Afghanistan war too rosy? Army officer, others say yes.

An Army officer sets the Pentagon, Capitol Hill buzzing with a published complaint that US military leaders are not being honest about slow progress in the Afghanistan war. He's not the only doubter.
Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia refrains from fingering Iran in alleged assassination plot

The US continues to ratchet up pressure on Iran over an alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to the US. But Saudi Arabia Wednesday said it was working to determine who was responsible.
When is a terrorist not a terrorist? America's Haqqani conundrum.

Congress is pushing the State Department to list the Haqqani network in Pakistan as a terrorist organization. Military officials have said Haqqani fighters are America's most formidable foe in Afghanistan, but the Haqqanis could also be key to any reconciliation efforts.
Time for Obama to rethink Washington's mild-mannered stance toward China

Before 9/11, the Bush administration was beginning to take a stronger stance against China on Taiwan. But after 9/11, Washington resumed a conciliatory relationship that has colored – for the worse – US-China relations.
As Gen. David Petraeus shifts to CIA, nature of war shifts with him

Gen. David Petraeus is on Capitol Hill Thursday for his confirmation hearing for the CIA post. The US is moving away from his troop-heavy approach to war, including, to a degree, in Afghanistan.
Reader recommendation: Intelligence Matters

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Terrorism & Security
Obama doubles down on refusal to release bin Laden photos

The White House seems to have decided that satisfying skeptics is not worth the risk of releasing 'gruesome' photos of Osama bin Laden, which could enrage radicals.
Obama's new national security team faces major challenges

President Obama's new national security team, headed by Leon Panetta and General David Petraeus, has a wealth of experience. But it faces major challenges, especially in Afghanistan.
UN Security Council allows 'all necessary measures' to protect Libyan civilians

With pro-Qaddafi forces advancing on the Libyan opposition capital, Benghazi, the UN Security Council approved a no-fly zone and other measures to protect civilians with 10-to-0 vote.
Chief obstacle to Iran's nuclear effort: its own bad technology

Continuing technical challenges mean Iran is still probably 3 to 5 years away from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Diplomats should exploit that leverage.
Congress's response to WikiLeaks: shoot the messenger

The 92,000 documents about the Afghanistan war released by WikiLeaks Sunday generated more anger in Congress at WikiLeaks than at the war effort.
James Clapper headed for hot seat in spy chief hearing

President Obama's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, is expected to face a tough Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday.
Key lawmakers resist Obama's pick of Clapper as intelligence chief

Retired Air Force Gen. James Clapper has plenty of experience in the intelligence bureaucracy. But key lawmakers aren't happy with Obama's pick to be Director of National Intelligence.
Intelligence director Dennis Blair knew his days were numbered

Dennis Blair knew for months that his tenure would be coming to a close.
Intelligence director Dennis Blair takes fall for Christmas bomber

Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence, will resign effective May 28. The Senate Intelligence Committee this week heavily criticized his agency's handling of recent terror incidents, including the Christmas bomber.
Iran nuclear program takes another step up escalation ladder

Iran announced its intentions Monday to begin processing its uranium stockpile to a higher level of enrichment. Experts say the country is taking yet another step toward producing a nuclear weapon.
Google cyber attacks a 'wake-up' call for US, intel chief says

The Director of National Intelligence warns that the US could face a crippling cyber attack, as cyber threats grow in scope and sophistication.
Obama’s NYC terror trial switch: Pragmatism or indecisiveness?

The Obama administration says it won’t hold the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other Al Qaeda suspects in Manhattan after all, mainly because of security costs and community backlash. But to some, it's another political misstep.
GOP is wait-and-see on Obama’s terrorist intelligence plan

Republicans generally approve of Obama’s plan to improve terrorist intelligence after the Christmas Day airliner bombing attempt. But they suggest more should be done, and hearings will give them a chance to say so.
Is Janet Napolitano to blame for Flight 253 security failure?

Republicans have focused blame for the security failures of Northwest Flight 253 on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. But there are other reasons that many conservatives are dissatisfied with her.