Counterterror staff falls to 62%Daniel Pipes's article on Bassem Youssef is HERE.
May 22, 2008
By Jerry Seper - More than one out of every three positions in an elite FBI division that tracks al Qaeda terrorists is vacant, according to an internal bureau document. Efforts are under way at the FBI to canvass for "volunteers" to fill what the agency said is a "critical" need in its counterterrorism efforts.
A senior bureau official said yesterday that because of significant staffing shortages and a lack of experienced managers, the FBI cannot properly defend the United States against "another catastrophic and direct attack by Middle Eastern terrorists."
Bassem Youssef, chief of the communications analysis unit of the FBI's counterterrorism division, said the bureau's International Terrorism Operations Sections (ITOS) — which include those that track al Qaeda terrorists — are "inexcusably understaffed."
[...]
Mr. Youssef, who was scheduled to testify during a subcommittee hearing on FBI whistleblowers, also said a bureau policy mandating that its agents, ITOS supervisors and counterterrorism managers do not need "subject matter expertise" in Middle Eastern counterterrorism is "indefensible and counterproductive."
He also said an FBI policy of promoting agents to its upper-management positions who have no "comprehension of the Arabic language" had resulted in the bureau's failure to have a management capable of responding to "real-time potential threats or opportunities." He said "an overdependency" of translators "can and does delay responses to situations that are time critical."
"Subtle messages and information not capable of ready translation or that which would be obvious to a native speaker who is simultaneously involved in operational activities are regularly lost," he said....
[...]
Mr. Youssef, who was born in Egypt, has accused the FBI of improperly denying him promotions in the counterterrorism division — an accusation denied by the bureau. In July 2006, the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility concluded that the FBI had retaliated against Mr. Youssef because of disclosures he made to the agency's director and a member of Congress.
No trial date has been set.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Security Gaps?
From this source:
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4 comments:
Because of their "sensitivity" training and political correctness...the Feds have been reduced to investigating anti-Jihad bloggers and commentators.
Meanwhile back at the Jihad camps....everything is moving forward smoothly, and without interruption.
The FBI had no problem giving high security clearance to Nada Prouty or her relative hired despite each gaining citizenship through marriage fraud.
What about translator Noureddine Malki who will now serve 11 years for spying?
Gah!!
Why are there so many openings? Because so many career people are leaving in droves. The 'brain drain' in our alphabet soup agencies is dramatic to say the least.
I have spoken with several high level former 'soup' workers who attribute the 'drain' to cultural walls being erected by Clinton and Carter types. They have poisoned the well by 'outing' fellow workers who are not appeasers, especially at State.
They also leak like sieves to promote their agendas in the New York Times with no repercussions. Lets fire all the 'foggy bottom' morons and open a new State Department on Monday. This would likely work well for the FBI and other agencies as well.
Wonder why the ranks are thin? Would you stay if this was the environment?
How the Pentagon Persecuted David Tenenbaum
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