A WEEK ago today, the United States was a different place. In the aftermath of the tragedies that occurred Sept. 11, our country still searches collectively for answers. Our instincts compel us to seek immediate understanding in order to deal with the pain. But we should not rush to judgment about failure to prevent the terrorist attack from occurring.
In particular, the intelligence community has been under attack because plans for the multi-city attack and plane hijackings were not intercepted beforehand. However, in this time of tragedy, it's unpatriotic and wrong to discredit anyone for an alleged failure in operations.
The media especially heightens this frenzy of blame with its nonstop coverage of events and speculation about all aspects of the attack.
Beginning with the earliest reports, commentators and reporters jumped on the issue of advanced warning or knowledge. Across networks and cable news channels, anchors brazenly chided the federal agencies whose duty is to discover information about such events before they occur. Current and former directors and secretaries of the nation's intelligence agencies and cabinet departments appearing as special guests faced stern criticism from questioning reporters.
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In spite of this attack's scale and impact, it's unfair to cite the intelligence community as negligent in its duty. Gathering such information is increasingly difficult in this technological age. Individuals can coordinate highly sophisticated operations with little more than an Internet connection. With such commonplace capabilities, it's increasingly difficult to detect such individuals or their intentions.
Even when terrorist groups or leaders and their ideologies are well known, uncovering the roots of their activities can be next to impossible when harbored in a state such as Afghanistan, where prime suspect Osama bin Laden allegedly resides. According to intelligence experts commenting on last Tuesday's events, the best hope for discovering plans for terrorist acts requires human operations. But filling such posts remains difficult for all intelligence agencies. And it's no wonder why.
How many of us are eager to live in a small house or hut halfway across the world, away from any semblance of civilization? It's not exactly the corner office.
In addition to such undesirable working conditions, these intelligence operations require individuals with natural speaking abilities in obscure dialects, as well as a willingness to totally assimilate into another culture. It shouldn't surprise us that there are few who take on such tasks.
A former CIA operative recently wrote an article in the Atlantic Monthly entitled "The Counterterrorist Myth" about why Osama bin Laden had "little to fear from American intelligence" (July 2001). This eerily timed article acknowledged weaknesses within the FBI and CIA that preclude these agencies from efficiently gathering intelligence on bin Laden. It details the reality of life as an agent in the field assigned to a case like this. Because the culture and language are nearly impossible to become immersed in, our intelligence efforts have been crippled. But the intelligence community itself cannot be blamed when the conditions are so prohibitive.
Until Americans realize that we can't get everyone all the time, our disappointment in the intelligence community will only mount unjustly. Especially in a time of tragedy, no good emerges from placing blame or pointing fingers.
Instead, we must acknowledge the accomplishments of investigators in the days following the attack. Within 24 hours, intelligence gatherers made remarkable headway on the search for the perpetrators of the attack. Following leads across the United States and the rest of the world, these expert sleuths are sure to lead the country down the road to justice.
The months and years to follow offer a more appropriate time to question methods and efficiency. Improvements in tactics are sure to come. In the meantime, however, Americans should focus on relief efforts and supporting those affected by this horrific event.
Already, the country has begun to move forward. Even though things will never be the same, the stock exchange reopened today and the skies are once again filled with resumed air traffic. Americans can be assured that our nation's leaders and the intelligence community that supports them remain committed to our safety and wellbeing.
(Katherine Martini's column appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at kmartini@ cavalierdaily.com.)
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