Chairman Ike Skelton
Opening Statement
Joint HPSCI/HASC Hearing on Implications of the National Intelligence Estimate "The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland" and Al Qaeda
July 25, 2007
"Let me welcome today's panelists: General Clapper; Secretary Long; Secretary Verga; Mr. Leiter; and Mr. Gistaro. Thank you for joining us.
"The committee convenes today to examine and discuss the implications of the recent National Intelligence Estimate, or NIE. We are joined by and welcome our colleagues on the Intelligence Committee.
"The NIE is entitled, "The Terrorist Threat to the U.S. Homeland." The unclassified Key Judgments contained within include a pronouncement that the most persistent threat facing the U.S. homeland over the next three years is one posed by terrorists, and especially al-Qaeda.
"As a nation, we find ourselves in this strategic situation after pouring billions of dollars and thousands of troops into Iraq. This tremendous sacrifice has diverted our nation from the real war on terror and subjected the nation to an unacceptable level of strategic risk. This committee has spent a great deal of time looking at the strain on our servicemembers and on our equipment. We are tasked with ensuring that our military is ready to respond to the next contingency wherever it may occur.
"But we must also ensure that we can deal with today's threats. And I am deeply concerned that we have not paid sufficient attention to the places that threat is most real.
"Chasing windmills has kept our eye off of the more important struggle, the one with roots in Afghanistan.
"The recent NIE paints this picture clearly-an unstable region within the borders of Pakistan. It describes a strong and resurgent al-Qaeda; and it warns of a heightened threat environment - one that is, in my humble opinion, unworthy of a superpower.
"In short, the news is not good.
"We've asked today's panelists to join us for a discussion about the scope of the NIE, its assumptions, and its implications for our nation. As Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, I am also concerned about its implications for the Department of Defense:
- Must we re-examine DOD's force posture?
- Must we reassess DOD's modernization priorities?
- Or, must we revamp the Department's policies in order to address the near-term threat scenario?
"These are the most pressing questions in my mind; and I look forward to further examination.
"Let me recognize the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Mr. Reyes, for any comments he may have."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
