Important Intelligence Question

[Hanuman]

An argument can be made that it was a CIA intelligence failure that led to the SOTU quote regarding a possibly bogus uranium transaction between Niger and Iraq.

The failure quite possibly occured because the CIA has so few (if any) agents involved with the continent of Africa, while the continent, with many Muslim countries, dictatorships and rogue nations represents a very credible threat to the national security of the United States.

House Intelligence Chairman Porter Goss, R-Fla.:

"...our coverage in the continent of Africa is abysmal because we made a decision to pull out our assets in Africa. It was also compounded by the scrub that was done during the . . . John Deutch DCI-ship, the scrub of assets. We basically denuded ourself of capability in the Hum-Int (Human Intelligence) world and we're paying for that. There was nothing sinister about it. That was the judgment of the day. We were a nation at peace and prosperity and that was what society said was OK to do. We did it. We did it at our peril."

My question: Should the U.S. strengthen, increase and expand the CIA in general- and focus on Africa with new resources in particular?

[Hanuman]

1. Come on you guys!

I know this question is not the typical "let's get him!" post, but I think this is real and serious. At least serious enough to ponder here.

"Bush Lied and People Died," is a great quote, but there is always more to a story than a catchy soundbite.

Porter Goss believes that other "mischief" is brewing in Africa, above and beyond the alleged (and possibly false) attempt to transfer uranium. Beyond politics, beyond the desire to nail Bush to the wall, is there smoke here, or just smoke and mirrors?

[Hanuman]

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[Hanuman]

2. Sorry about the slag posts...

I'm really getting burned by the new software, I guess...

[Hanuman]

3. .

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[sirshack]

4. IWell...

I'm not sure it's just increasing numbers and strength....there are probably plenty of agents involved with Africa, the Middle East, Asia, etc etc etc that rarely, if ever, set foot in those areas, instead relying on satellites, informants, and other stuff like that.

Frankly, I really don't know.

[Hanuman]

6. Goss specifically mentioned Human Intelligence...

And I interpret that to mean spooks on the ground, in country, as well as informants and double agents. In this area there may be virtually no capacity at all.

To me I find that a bit concerning. Admitedly, I don't know HOW concerned I SHOULD be about this. But, I can see this as another possible explanation or addendum to the mistake in the SOTU address.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. The argument can NOT be made

There was no CIA intelligence failure. They knew Niger hadn't sent any uranimu to Iraq, and they told the WH so. The intelligence failure was between Cheney, Rice, Bush, and Rumsfeld, who couldn't come up with half a brain between them.

This "Africa intelligence defecit" is another right wing smear on Clinton.

[Hanuman]

7. So you are satisfied with intelligence "as is..."

and would not enhance it at all?