Christian science Monitor March 26, 2003
The role of intelligence in the war in Iraq
Transcript of our March 26, Q&A with Faye Bowers
Faye Bowers, based in Washington, covers the US war on terror for the Monitor. Before going to Washington, she was deputy international news editor. She was David Rohde's editor when he reported and wrote his 1996 Pulitzer Prize-winning Bosnia stories, as well as when he was jailed - and later released - by Bosnian Serbs in late 1995.
Savannah/Illinois: Faye, how do you think the US knew where and when Saddam Hussein and his top guys were meeting last Wednesday evening when the war was first touched off?
Faye Bowers: I've been told that intelligence operatives tapped into Saddam Hussein's telephone lines, and that there is someone in his group who is probably providing information on his activities.
Greg/Texas: Ms. Bowers, when I was a member of a Military Intelligence Linguist Company it was obvious to all of us that there was a real shortage of expertise (on Arabic and otherwise). Yet, from time to time we would see reductions in certain languages. (Who could forsee the need for Filipino linguists speaking Tobago to fight Al Queda related groups?) Russian linguists were cut immediately after the cold war. As always, there is a real deficit of Chinese and Korean linguists. How does the lack of linguists effect US Intelligence efforts?
Faye Bowers: I think it has been a problem, especially in the past. Right after the cold war, as you mention, resources to CIA and other intelligence agencies were cut. But later in the '90s, I think around 1996, Congress began to allocate more money to intell agencies. The CIA began boosting its ranks in the mid- to late 90s, according to Jim Pavitt, deputy director of operations at the CIA. (See their web site for a couple of his speeches on this subject.) I believe they've greatly built up the ranks of covert operatives, many of whom have expertise in various languages as well as their analytical ranks - also with linguistic specialists.
Dan/Atlanta : It seems that a lack of cultural awareness often leads to mistaken conclusions. Have the various political and military factions made any serious cultural blunders, or has that aspect of intelligence gathering been improved?
Faye Bowers: I think it is a little early to tell, but early signs indicate that Iraqis aren't as thrilled with US troops invading as was predicted. But again, it's really too early to tell on this. I think we have to give this a bit of time before making any serious judgments.
Judy/Los Angeles: What is the difference when the press says "Army intelligence" or "military intelligence" from the CIA type of intelligence?
Faye Bowers: That's a good question, because it often gets muddled. I think there are 14 different intelligence agencies that all fall under the supervision of the director of central intelligence who is George Tenet. He is also known as the director of the CIA. But one of the main parts of intelligence gathering is the military or Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). That again, is broken into different military branches. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force all have their own intelligence units. But those basically focus on military intelligence. For example, a military attache at a foreign embassy might track that country's troop levels, their movements, etc. The CIA's job is to figure out the overall picture and present intelligence estimates to the President on down - their customers, as they refer to it.
George/Newport News, VA: Can you point to any examples of how the Homeland Security Dept. has coordinated the gathering of intelligence for US troops in Iraq?
Faye Bowers: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has nothing to do with gathering intelligence for troops in Iraq. That would fall under the CIA and DIA. The DHS would coordinate intelligence channeled to it that affects people here in the US.
Matt W.: What role are Arab-Americans playing in intelligence gathering at home and abroad?
Faye Bowers: I hear they are playing a big role, both here and in the Middle East. And until I nail this down with at least two credible sources, I'm not going to put it out there.
Larry Wise/Ohio : As an American, am I entitled to the truth from my government, and how do I know when the very expensive intelligence we taxpayers buy, is being passed on as fact or disinformation?
Faye Bowers: I think there are examples of the government providing disinformation, expecially in the time of war. For instance, right before the 1991 Gulf war, the government said it was going to make this huge amphibious landing prior to an assault. It was published everywhere. But that's not the way the operation was carried out - it was a major land invasion from a different direction all together. In the case of the present war, we probably won't know till it's all over.
K. Jones/Orlalndo: Can US satellite surveillance see through the dust storms in Iraq? I should think not, yet reports say GPS satellites still can guide bombs to their target despite the sandstorms.
Faye Bowers: I saw a program on television last night that showed it. The guest, John Pike, was from Global Security, who showed his satellite photos. You can visit their website: http://www.globalsecurity.org/ for more information.
John/New Orleans: US special forces, especially those in Northern Iraq with the Kurds, are supposed to be working closely with the CIA. How is this different from the Green Berets and the CIA in Viet Nam? Are there operational differences you can report?
Faye Bowers: I don't know that it is any different. I'd heard that for a long time after Vietnam, this sort of close cooperation no longer existed. But beginning with the war in Afghanistan, the two - the CIA and Special Forces - began cooperating in an unprecedented way, I've been told. I don't remember details from Vietnam and Green Beret days, I'm sorry to say. I'd have to look that up. But I can tell you what happened in Afghanistan. CIA paramilitary teams were the first on the ground. They did forward surveillance, reconaissance, and forged relationships with Afghan warlords on the ground. Then special forces teams were dropped in. Together, they cemented these relationships and went in to paint targets for US airstrikes.
Mary M./Albany, NY: What role are female agents playing in intelligence gathering in Arab countries, especailly Iraq? Isn't it almost impossible since women are so limited in their social and political roles?
Faye Bowers: I would guess you are right, but I don't know that for a fact. Intelligence agencies are extremely careful not to divulge their "sources and methods."
Joel/San Francisco: During the invasion of Afghanistan, CIA agents are reported to have bribed Taliban commanders to switch sides. Are similar operations going on in Iraq with Republican Guard units?
Faye Bowers: Yes, at least that's what both intelligence and defense officials have said.
Diana/Flagstaff, AZ: I teach 7th and 8th graders in a Social Studies classroom. What do you think is an appropriate discussion to have with the students about the war? How much is too much?
Faye Bowers: First, it has to be age-appropriate. Second, a teacher should be careful not to take a strong stand, either way. Third, history is always the best tool with young people so that they are free from the tyranny of the immediate. There you have it from an inexperienced specialist!
Darren/Boston: Some CIA analysts reportedly feel that the Bush administration has been pressuring them to skew intelligence in favor of administration policies. They cite the now-discredited report, referred to by Mr. Bush in making his case for war, alleging that Iraq had attempted to buy uranium from Niger. Firing missiles is one thing, but do military officers attempt to independently verify CIA reports before placing the lives of servicemen at risk? Or is the CIA trusted implicitly?
Faye Bowers: The military has input on this. But I don't know the particulars in this specific case. I do know there's an ongoing investigation and I'm sure we'll read/hear about the results.
Tom/Boston: Is the unprecedented cooperation mentioned in your article a sign that the CIA is increasingly well-heeled, increasingly influential, or increasingly overlapping with the goals of the Pentagon? Or to put it differently: Has there been a power shift in the State Dept. - Pentagon - CIA triangle? Or has cooperation simply improved?
Faye Bowers: I think it's a bit of all of the above. This kind of cooperation did go on years ago, but it hasn't in the more recent past. It began, again, with Afghanistan. And I think it suits US government goals at this point - from what I gather, seems the CIA and Special Ops folks work well together, they're strengths complement one another.
N. Lerangis/Freeport NY: How much of an interest does the French oil company "Total Fina Elf S.A. ADR" have in IRAQs oil fields?
Faye Bowers: I know they've signed contracts with Iraq to rebuild at least one potentially lucrative oil field. But I'm not sure the contract will be valid. Even if the war had not happened, the contract might not have been honored, I was told.
Moderator: Time for one more question.
Daniel /Tulsa Oklahoma: What will world countries think of the USA if weapons of mass destruction aren't found in Iraq?
Faye Bowers: I can't imagine that would be a good thing. But from everything I hear - from former inspectors to intelligence people to outside experts - they all think Saddam Hussein as at least some of them in some form and that he is a master of deception and disguise.
Moderator: Faye, thank you very much for being with us today. I know how incredibly busy you are covering the war for the Monitor.
Faye Bowers: Thanks for having me; I enjoyed doing this. Faye.
Copyright © 2003, The Christian Science Monitor
