Over the weekend U.S. embassies in more than 20 countries across North Africa and the Middle East were closed due to increased chatter in the terrorists network.
Republican senator Saxby Chambliss said the NSA had identified threats that were the most serious for years and akin to levels of “terrorist chatter” picked up before 9/11.
Really?
We thought the terrorists are now able to avoid NSA tracking, after Edward Snowden revealed what the NSA is doing. If they are, how would the NSA know about it?
It is of course possible the terrorists know it and use it to their advantage to give the U.S. false leads.
That is called counter-intelligence.
By the way, the Benghazi attacks last year were not anticipated (as far as we know), even though it happened on the 9/11 anniversary. Is it possible the terrorists knew how to avoid the NSA, even before Snowden leaked the secret programs?
It could also simply that the terrorists are saying: let’s scare the U.S. and spread some rumors. They actually don’t need to do anything besides the talking.
Very cost efficient.
But then it is also possible that the NSA made it all up. Their interest is to to nourish the culture of fear – and keep the money flowing.
The surveillance program – especially the collection of phone records from every American, came under scrutiny from Congress (can you believe it). Indeed, it is unlikely that it played any role in the al-Qaida intercepts.
The members of the Intelligence Committee in Congress should be able to to tell about it – oh we forgot they are prohibited by law.
An ordinary member can’t get such information, so much for congressional oversight – but then they don’t get that much cash from the defense and surveillance industry as the IC members do.
We have, however, one question, that the above referenced article does not mention: if regular members are supposed to approve the funding for these programs, why are they voting YES if they can’t get information what it is used for?
It is more likely, though, that the IC members aren’t told everything either. Clapper admitted he is lying to Congress – and stands by his decision to lie.
At the end we can’t believe anything they’re saying.
Our headline could also read:
“NSA causes US embassy closures in order to bolster surveillance programs”
Which is closer to the truth? You’d be the judge. The NSA won’t tell you.
