What’s going on here?
James Clapper’s televised mishap masks a deeper problem: a national intelligence office that often seems out of the loop. Tara McKelvey wrote a column on this issue in the Daily Beast.
The idea of creating this office grew out of the 9/11 Commission report. If this office was functioning before 9/11/2001 perhaps the WTC would still be standing. The office was created by President George W. Bush. The idea was to have an office that could “connect the dots” and prevent another 9/11. The office has not worked well. Perhaps the reason is that other intelligence operations have not cooperated. Do all other security agencies report to the DNI? Is there a chain of command? Who is the boss?
James Clapper was caught in an on screen interview with Diane Sawyer of ABC not knowing that a terrorist plot had been discovered in the U.K. Mr. Clapper went silent. It was an embarrassing moment for everyone.
There is clearly something wrong with the job of DNI when it has been a revolving door.
John Dimitri Negroponte was the first director of national intelligence, (In office
April 21, 2005 to February 13, 2007). He resigned the position and returned to the State Dept. His successor was John Michael McConnell. Mr. McConnell held the position from February 20, 2007 to January 20, 2009. It is not clear from public information the cause of his departure.
Dennis Blair was next in the office. He was there from January 29, 2009 to May 28, 2010. He resigned. Next came David Gompert who was designated the Acting Director from May 28, 2010 to August 5, 2010 when the current director, James Clapper, took his place. Mr. Clapper is the fourth person to hold this position since April 21, 2005.
Like any organization, clear lines of responsibility are necessary. Will straightening out this situation occur after another terrorist attack?
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