Obama: Intelligence Community Failed to “Connect the Dots” in a “Potentially Disastrous Way”
EmailJake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report:
After emerging from a nearly two hour meeting in the Situation Room with his national security team, President Obama today said that while the information was there to disrupt the attempted Christmas Day attack, the intelligence community failed to connect the dots in a “potentially disastrous way.”
“The U.S. government had sufficient information to have uncovered this plot and potentially disrupt the Christmas Day attack, but our intelligence community failed to connect those dots, which would have placed the suspect on the no-fly list,” Obama said from the Grand Foyer this afternoon, “In other words, this was not a failure to collect intelligence, it was a failure to integrate and understand the intelligence that we already had. The information was there, agencies and analysts who needed it had access to it, and our professionals were trained to look for it and to bring it all together.”
The president used a version of the word “fail” 9 times in as many minutes — and he was talking about his government failing to adequately protect the American people.
Mr. Obama said that while he accepts intelligence “by its nature is imperfect” that it is clear that the intelligence was “not fully analyzed or fully leveraged,” which the President said is “not acceptable.”
“I will not tolerate it,” he added, “when a suspected terrorist is able to board a plane with explosives on Christmas Day, the system has failed in a potentially disastrous way. And it’s my responsibility to find out why and to correct that failure so that we can prevent such attacks in the future.”
The President held an intense meeting in the Situation Room this afternoon where he pressed his national security team on how Umar Farouq Abdulmuttalab was able to board Northwest Airlines flight 253.
According to a White House official President Obama told his national security team, “This was a screw-up that could have been disastrous. We dodged a bullet but just barely. It was averted by brave individuals not because the system worked and that is not acceptable.”
Obama also privately told his team that “While there will be a tendency for finger pointing, I will not tolerate it.”
The President received an update from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on aviation screening, technology and procedures. Counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, John Brennan, gave an update to the review into the terrorist watch listing system.
“This ongoing review continues to reveal more about the human and systemic failures that almost cost nearly 300 lives,” Mr. Obama said, adding that the summary of the preliminary reports will be made public within the next few days.
The President said that the review showed that elements of the intelligence community knew that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had traveled to Yemen and joined up with extremists there and that the intelligence community knew of other red flags that Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula sought to strike not only American targets in Yemen, but the United States itself.
“Time and again we’ve learned that quickly piecing together information and taking swift action is critical to staying one step ahead of a nimble adversary. So we have to do better, and we will do better, and we have to do it quickly. American lives are on the line.”
The President told his national security team today that he wants their initial reviews completed this week, with specific recommendations for corrective actions to fix what went wrong.
“I want those reforms implemented immediately so that this doesn’t happen again and so we can prevent future attacks. And I know that every member of my team that I met with today understands the urgency of getting this right, and I appreciate that each of them took responsibility for the shortfalls within their own agencies.”
The President summarized “concrete steps” that he took immediately following the attempted attack to protect those flying — more explosive detection teams at airports, more air marshals on flights and deepening cooperation with international partners.
The President said they’ve also taken additional steps to improve security, including adding more individuals to the no fly list which needs to be strengthened.
“Counterterrorism officials have reviewed and updated our terrorist watch list system, including adding more individuals to the no-fly list. And while our review has found that our watch-listing system is not broken, the failure to add Abdulmutallab to the no-fly list shows that this system needs to be strengthened.”
The State Department is now requiring embassies and consulates to include current visa information in their warning on individuals with terrorist or suspected terrorist connections, Obama said, and the TSA is now requiring enhanced screening for passengers flying into the United States from or flying through nations on our list of state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest.
The President said in the days ahead he will announce further steps to disrupt attacks, “including better integration of information and enhanced passenger screening for air travel.”
Mr. Obama confirmed that there will be no additional transfers of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Yemen at this time.
“With respect to Yemen in particular, there’s an ongoing security situation which we have been confronting for some time, along with our Yemeni partner. Given the unsettled situation, I’ve spoken to the attorney general and we’ve agreed that we will not be transferring additional detainees back to Yemen at this time.”
The President said that his decision to close Guantanamo still remains.
“We will close Guantanamo prison, which has damaged our national security interests and become a tremendous recruiting tool for Al Qaida. In fact, that was an explicit rationale for the formation of AL Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. And as I’ve always said, we will do so — we will close the prison in a manner that keeps the American people safe and secure.”
-Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
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Guantanamo is the reason there is al Queda in the Arabian peninsula? huh?
Posted by: Sigmonde | January 5, 2010, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Where do you suppose al queda will form when the Guantanamo prisoners are sent to Illinois?
Posted by: Sigmonde | January 5, 2010, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
Yeah, that Barry-sharp as a tack.I’m sure Mohammed Atta was really upset with Gitmo and it motivated him into murdering thousands.Of course, Gitmo has damaged our national security interests-imagine,removing hundreds of terrorists from circulation.Al Qaeda would love us if we released those good religious boys to return to “study religion” Just like the Baltimore catechism !
Posted by: Nephron | January 5, 2010, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
It’s obviously important for the president to uncover why the intelligence system failed and communicate that to the public, but Obama must also realize that the economy is still the number one issue for nearly every American.
Posted by: matt | January 5, 2010, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
“It’s obviously important for the president to uncover why the intelligence system failed and communicate that to the public, but Obama must also realize that the economy is still the number one issue for nearly every American.”
Agreed.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 5, 2010, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
Connect the dots?????? Seems to me that the kindergarten cops need to go back to school…maybe they will learn to color within the lines too!! Don’t tell me that you really thought there was someone in this Washington bunch who really passed kindergarten!!! This liberal bunch of idiots can’t even get one thing right let alone CONNECT THE DOTS!!!
Posted by: ross | January 5, 2010, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
Look, the CIA knew there was “The Nigerian”, named “Umar Farouk”, in Yemen, who is planning on an attack of airplane on Christmas Day, and whose father has told the US consulate his son, named “Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab” is in Yemen, and being brain washed by al Qaeda, and is a threat to the US.
Mr. President, it’s time you let go your incompetent friends/supporters from key government positions, for your own safety (considering 3 Un-Identified Persons got into your house, shook your hands and pictured with you) and for your fellow citizens’ safety.
Posted by: huh | January 5, 2010, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
The most important thing, the centerpiece of the Obama War On Terror, is the closure of Gitmo. I have no idea why, but there you are.
Posted by: mesquito | January 5, 2010, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Relax everyone, Obama is closing Guantanamo to stop al queda from recruiting. Peace is at hand. Stay calm.
Posted by: Sigmonde | January 5, 2010, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
Why did he send out Gibbs and Napalitano on Sunday to say the exact opposite?
Posted by: MayBee | January 5, 2010, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
I guess we get the “tough on terror” flavor of “Shave Ice” Obama for a few days now.
I wonder how many internal polls they had to take to change the strategy they presented to the world for the first 3 or 4 days? How many spin doctors were consulted?
Posted by: actionjackson | January 5, 2010, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
We can connect the dots…Mr. Obama is not doing his job. He has said no finger pointing because he’s responsible.
Posted by: young_voter | January 5, 2010, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Why did he send out Gibbs and Napalitano on Sunday to say the exact opposite?
Posted by: MayBee | Jan 5, 2010 6:32:22 PM
====
No, he did not. Don’t point your finger at our President. He will not tolerate it.
Besides, the wind was southwest on Sunday, and now northeast.
Was it as cold on Sunday as today?
Posted by: fat | January 5, 2010, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Gibbs and Napalitano did the best impersonation of Dumb and Dumber that I have seen in a long time.
Posted by: enoughalready | January 5, 2010, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
There seems to be a cult like belief that Guantamamo is the source and inspiration of all Islamic terrorism.
Almost to the same degree that they believe that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning – they hold this belief.
What-o-what will they do when they release or move all of the terrorists from Gitmo, and Al Queda doesn’t just shut down shop?
It is almost to the point of being funny watching a liberal go through his paces about Guantanamo. Usually, they can’t ultimately tell you what is so horrible about the place – or why keeping the detainees in Illinois is so different. But somehow, moving to Illinois makes everything okaydoaky.
And Europe will love us.
Posted by: arcticblast | January 5, 2010, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
Divergence from Natural Law, For each action there is an equal and opposition reaction. Where?
Why are no heads fallng?…more re-engineered social philosophy now in charge of government.
The children, baby boomers who stole daddys key from the Liquor Cabinet now running US? ….err USA? …the World?
Posted by: Tony Venuti | January 5, 2010, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
The President read some prepared comments instead of talking from the heart to the American people. He then wheeled about disdainfully and walked off without permitting questions from the American media….
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
War This is no war!Nice! What in the hell is it then Obie, oh that’s right it a jihad against the USA,it is so nice to have a compentent leader! Where Benedict when you need him!You know Arnold!Whos’ that well that is right American histroy taught in public schools un heard of!
Posted by: rckinscooter33 | January 5, 2010, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
I would say that the Cambridge Police, ah, er, I mean the Intelligence Community acted stupidly… and add that I’m sure glad that Sam Donaldson is no longer around…
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
What’s that sound I hear. Eww, its awful! What is that sound?
Oh, should have known . … it’s the sound of a bunch of right wing Republicans whining . .. again and again and again.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Who was it release those al Qaeda detainees back to Yemen where they counselled the Christmas Day bomber?
Anybody have any ideas?
Let me give you a hint: Cheney.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
Listen it doesn’t matter if Cheney released those detainees, and if they were they ones who counselled the bomber – it’s not Cheney’s fault! Because it happened in the past; anything that happened in the past is nobody’s fault! Wait a sec, that means nothing is anybody’s fault.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
Ugh. As a successful manager of staff for many years, I shudder at the way our President is treating his vital Intelligence community. The way he carefully protects himself from the failures even as he shames everyone else is a hallmark of a dreadful boss.
You, Sir, are the Commander-in-Chief. Any and all failures under your command must be said as “we”. Please be bigger, Mr. President.
As I said yesterday, cheering the re-evaluations on the no-fly lists:
My prayers go to our Intelligence folks, and all who have sworn to protect and preserve our nation. May your actions be guided by wisdom and the highest good.
Posted by: Carol | January 5, 2010, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Posted by: Carol | Jan 5, 2010 8:23:31 PM
His remarks, based on the preliminary results of security reviews ordered last week, focused blame on the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The body was set up after the September 2001 attacks to collect information from America’s 16 intelligence agencies and distribute it through government.
———————————
However these people screwed up, I hope they get their act together. This isn’t a silly, ‘make the staff feel good’ exercise.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
I don’t understand how we can bomb and kill suspected terrorists overseas and nobody gives it a second thought. But, when it comes to to the Christmas day terrorist in Detroit, he gets all the rights as an American citizen. “FEEL GOOD” libs including Obama need a quick dose of reality – looks like plenty of it is heading their way. Cheney was right – terrorists are taking advantage of our perceived weakness, given out by the actions of the Obama administration. When during the campaign Obama declared that we had lost in Iraq – THE TERRORISTS KNEW THAT THEY HAD THEIR MAN.
Posted by: Temagami | January 5, 2010, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm
Cheney was right – terrorists are taking advantage of our perceived weakness
__________________________________
Do some research, Cheney is a bald-face hypocrite. He and Bush and their administration brought terrorists before the American judicial courts. He’s just playing up the garbage, for partisan political gain.
He’s a bit of a sleazy hypocrite I’m afraid.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
OK, I’ll bite – how many terrorists has Obama brought to Gitmo? I assume that Obama is a smart guy, wise no, but smart. If he wants a second term he NEEDS to throw his whole administration under the bus and start over. HE ALSO NEEDS TO ADMIT THAT WE ARE IN A WAR – NOT A POLICE ACTION!
Posted by: Temagami | January 5, 2010, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
HE ALSO NEEDS TO ADMIT THAT WE ARE IN A WAR – NOT A POLICE ACTION!
_______________________________
Temagami this talking point has been discredited a long time ago. You’re going to have to catch up.
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
The audacity of blame casting…
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
Discredited, by whom? Libs? That I can understand.
Posted by: Temagami | January 5, 2010, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
Marine Barracks – there was no Guantanamo
Pan Am 73 – there was no Guantanamo
TWA 847 – there was no Guantanamo
World trade center one – there was no
Guantanamo
Khobar towers – there was no Guantanamo
American Embassies in Africa – there was no Guantanamo
USS Cole – there was no Guantanamo
9-11 – there was no Guantanamo
Shoe Bomber – there was no Guantanamo
Daniel Pearl – there was no Guantanamo
Looks like maybe Guantanamo is not required to recruit terrorists…
Yet somehow Mr. Obama feels that closing it will end recruitment of terrorists…
A fools errand?
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm
“Yet somehow Mr. Obama feels that closing it will end recruitment of terrorists…”
Even if we cut and paste the views and testimony of intelligence people and military officers that Gitmo is responsible byway of recruitment for a significant percentage of our casualties in Iraq you guys aren’t going to acknowledge it, or admit you believe it. I’ve tried. Dedicated ignorance might impress your right-wing buddies, but anybody who is really interested and tries can find plenty of evidence just by a good Google-ing that lots of people whose opinion should matter–except to those who only believe intelligence they want to hear [you know, like the Bush administration did just prior to 9/11]–believe Gitmo is being used against us very effectively.
Posted by: Skip | January 5, 2010, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
believe it Gitmo is being used against us very effectively..
–Skip
————
Who you going to believe … Skip or your lying eyes…
Gitmo is the model institution for holding Islamic terrorists. It is political correctness to the nth degree. Each cell has an arrow pointing to Mecca, guards must don latex gloves before handling each prisoner’s US-Government provided Koran. Prisoners may fling human excreta at guards without fear of reprisal, etc, etc, ad nauseum. Gitmo should be cited the world over as the model for detainment of those that would slit you throat with no provocation.
Yet transferring these murdering terrorists to Illinois will be reported as a good thing. Then they will be able file endless suits against their confinement conditions. They will be able to use our Constitution against us.
A clear victory for terrorists. Of course no terrorists will use confinement in Illinois as a recruitment tool…
Soon they will be pumping iron, watching Oprah, setting up web sites (or have them set up on their behalf) attracting young American women of the type that attach themselves to death-row inmates, and using their lawyers to pass messages to their terrorist networks. More importantly, they will be converting any other inmates they encounter to radical Islam to further the Jihad. But hey, what the heck, that is already going on in our prisons, so what the heck.
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
My gosh tj will you please try to find the courage to take on a minuscule amount of risk upon yourself in order to remove significant risk from our soldiers in Iraq? -Even if it does mean giving up one of your favorite stupid politically biased talking points? Prison is prison. The terrorists aren’t winning anything. Your complaints about the alleged conditions are another emotional tangent. Vindictiveness doesn’t justify inaction regardless. I don’t care if they lock them up in a four-star hotel–as long as they can’t get out–if some of our soldiers make it home who otherwise wouldn’t have.
Posted by: Skip | January 5, 2010, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm
Skip, Skip, Skip, take a deep breath. Until a couple of days ago, Mr. Obama was willing to send scores of these bad guys to Yemen, just to deplete population of Gitmo sufficiently to close the facility.
Take a look at what happened to the detainees Mr. Bush repatriated.
Take a look at the USS Cole bombers that were held in Yemen.
US Security should be a top priority, not closing Gitmo. The terrorists will always find recruiting symbols. when we close Gitmo, they will move on to another. Gitmo is largely has been largely available for this purpose because of Democrats, who have been willing to buy into the idea that it is evil.
Gitmo = Bush solution to holding terrorists = Bad.
Illinois = Obama solution to holding terrorists = Good.
Posted by: tj | January 5, 2010, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
“US Security should be a top priority, not closing Gitmo.”
No, doing whatever we can to support our fellow Americans serving in Iraq should be top priority. Especially when the risk we incur by doing so is tiny.
“The terrorists will always find recruiting symbols. when we close Gitmo, they will move on to another.”
Should I be surprised at this? Of course Republicans were happy to send troops and hummers to Iraq with no armor. They support our troops in spirit if not in reality.
“Gitmo is largely has been largely available for this purpose because of Democrats, who have been willing to buy into the idea that it is evil.”
Because if Republicans had had their way all the prisoners would have just disappeared.
Posted by: Skip | January 5, 2010, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
Has nobody blamed this christmas day attack on President Bush. I cant believe it! I figured he would be the culprit. What is going on. Who is Obama pointing the finger at now. I know he is not going to take any responsiblity. He only knows words like Hope, Change, Transparency. The word responsiblity is not anywhere in his vocab
Posted by: ted | January 5, 2010, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
I have a dot to dot coloring book I got from Chili’s restuarant that I got for my kids tonight at dinner. You think The President and the Security Team would be able to connect the dots on that or would it be to complicated. It says for ages 8+.
Posted by: ted | January 5, 2010, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
You think The President and the Security Team would be able to connect the dots on that or would it be to complicated. It says for ages 8+.
Posted by: ted | Jan 5, 2010 11:36:48 PM
________________________________
You go ahead ted, seems better suited to someone at our level of intellectual prowess
Posted by: tierra | January 5, 2010, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
The word responsiblity is not anywhere in his vocab
Posted by: ted
are you that blind that you can’t even read THIS PAGE at the top of the comments:
‘And it’s my responsibility ‘…
as Obama said during the campaign:
‘they take pride in their own ignorance’
thanks Ted for proving the Pres correct yet again.
Posted by: Oh Yeah | January 6, 2010, 12:24 am 12:24 am
Apparently, our Intelligence Community is not very intelligent. Maybe we need a more apt description of this group.
Posted by: Doppelganger | January 6, 2010, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
According to a White House official President Obama told his national security team, “This was a screw-up that could have been disastrous. We dodged a bullet but just barely. It was averted by brave individuals not because the system worked and that is not acceptable.”
Mr President didn’t you appoint
Leon Panetta(CIA), Janet Napolitano(HSA)
and Eric Holder(Attorney General) to
their positions?
Wasn’t it you who ordered the closing
of Gitmo almost before your
inauguration was over?
Haven’t you set the tone for our
intelligence gathering agencies by
insisting on giving Terrorists
non-existent rights in our court system?
Instead of protecting the lives of
U.S. Citizens which is part of your
job description you have concentrated
on trying to “make nice” with the
terrorists and so-called moderate
muslims(I doubt if they exist)!
This was not just a systematic failure
it is YOUR FAILURE!
Hopefully this has been a
“teachable moment” for you Mr President!
Posted by: reaganfan | January 6, 2010, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm