National Security and Intelligence

Washington Post intelligence reporter Dana Priest was online Thursday, June 15, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss the latest developments in national security and intelligence.

Priest was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting .

Dana Priest covers intelligence and wrote " The Mission: Waging War and Keeping Peace With America's Military " (W.W. Norton). The book chronicles the increasing frequency with which the military is called upon to solve political and economic problems.

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: This discussion has been delayed but we hope to begin at approximately 1 p.m. Thank you for your patience.

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Dana Priest: Sorry to be late. I'm actually traveling today and the airport shuttle bus took forever. Let's begin!

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Silver Spring, Md.: How much credence to you give the administration's assertions that we can roll up al Qaeda from the top in Iraq using intelligence gathered at the Zarqawi site and others?

Dana Priest: I've noticed a very different, more cautious tone about this from the administration itself. They know that it's more than one person and more than one organization that are operating against them in Iraq. That said, it does appear as if they were able to roll up many others in the Zarqawi group on that first night. And I would expect a lot more to come as they work through all the intel.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you provide us with some more information about what the CIA is doing in Somalia (e.g., who is the CIA supporting and why) and assess whether the CIA program is successful in countering unrest in Somalia? What do you foresee happening in Somalia?

Dana Priest: It is so very difficult to tell exactly what the US (read CIA) is doing in Somalia. I remember talking to one intel person who knew what was happening and he said that just because this organization(the Islamic Council) had some Al Qaeda adherents didn't rule them out as someone to support. Somalia is nearly hopeless in terms of what outsiders can do....remember that we've had a gigantic flotilla of Marines and others off the horn of Africa since Sept. 11 and I don't think they made a different in Somalia. No one wants to actually go there, so we are using proxies. The good news in all this (a shred I realize) is that the new self-appointed government is not openly hostile to US and European governments. And the US, on the other hand, is not denouncing them but rather pledging to talk with them. Kind of reminds me of the Taliban. They brought order to warlordism in Afghanistan. Well, and then...

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Fallbrook, Calif.: Hi Dana. Enjoy you various articles and "The Mission" (hardback!) and want to thank you for your endeavors. The opportunity to ask a question was too good to pass up today and I'd like to preface it with some observations. If you disagree with any of my premises, that's ok, too. I am one of those people who has turned 60 this year. Vietnam and then Watergate eras bookended my high school-university-early working years. The most notable change between then and now (regarding the state of political activity by the US citizens) that I feel is an overwhelming cynicism about our political system. In the '60s there was a feeling that voting mattered, the individual counted for something. Today, I believe that the exact opposite is closer to the reality. Given the level of disgust with all politicians and government, supported by hugely powerful and controlling monied interests...it seems that people still have an admiration for our military, though. Any student of history can recite many instances of similar situations across time from Rome on forward. My question is this: Do you ever wonder if the military might be asked to do its "policing" in this country? (And I am going to take the liberty of sneaking in a two-fer: Do any one of the politicians bring up national security policy in regards to building a fence across the U.S.-Canadian border?) Thanks and best wishes to you.

Dana Priest: Happy Birthday Fallbrook. Our government is already asking the military to do more policing than ever inside the US. They set up US Northern Command whose mission is specifically the United States. Now. What exactly, they are doing is not so clear, but they are involved in some way probably hundreds of ways) not just in traditional "defensive" measures. But also in information gathering on Americans -- remember the Talon program and and CIFA database (easy Google search). And I bet much more. As for Canada. Never. Far too much trade comes through everyday. Something like a billion dollars a day.

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Munich, Germany: Craig Timberg wrote an interesting article about the Chinese business invasion of Africa and China's quest for oil and raw materials from the African continent. China's policy of political noninterference in other countries has made friends of certain despots that the West would like to isolate.

As the Chinese industrial juggernaut continues to grow, don't you think that China's patronization and support of despotic regimes will increase as well? This gives repressive governments around the world little incentive to become more democratic.

Dana Priest: Yep. And what's more, it give China new and potentially enormous political clout in countries and regions that once viewed the US as the most important superpower. Those days are about to be over. Maybe one day soon, China will be offering to negotiate tensions between the US and, well, let's say, Iran, from which it is purchasing more and more oil.

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Knoxville, Tenn.: The U.S. cannot secure Iraq with over 120,000 troops yet we only have 20,000 in Afghanistan. Is one of the reasons violence has increased in Afghanistan is because the Afghan government is limited to some cities and the coalition does not control most of the land?

Dana Priest: yes

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Denver, Colo.: Ms. Priest,

To what extent is there a constant "Threat Creep" in all agencies charged with security? That is, because their worst fear is being caught out or provably wrong, they will constantly opt for the worst case, even to the extent of consistently exaggerating any possible threat.

This would lead to visions of Iraq bombing NYC, al Qaeda being omnipresent, Zarqawi being an evil genius, and, yes, WMDs under every rock. If we are in fear of every bad thing imaginable, how can we deal with real threats?

Is this a problem in your opinion?

Dana Priest: It was much more prevalent right after 9-11 when people viewed everything as a potential threat. Today's story in the Post about illegal Latin American immigrants being rounded up at Dulles airport for security concerns is a version of that, it seems to me. Still, people actually charged with law enforcement have gotten more realistic about threats. Even legislators, who have to fund these programs, seem to have been able to start making priorities. Nevertheless, we are left with an enormous 9-11 security bureaucracy that must justify itself because that's what bureaucracies do.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: It is unlikely that the Somali Islamists will be foolish enough to follow the Taliban, even if they do any terrorist presence could be handled by air strikes and covert action. Somalia being in Africa means no one will complain either. So can you tell me what's the big deal about the "Islamic Courts Union" other than the their title containing the word "Islamic"?

Dana Priest: I don't agree with you here. I would be worried about covert action, which tends to require a very good level of understanding about what the operative is walking into and that is not the situation there. Ditto with air strikes, you have to have good intel on what, exactly, you're going after. Sha'ria law is one problem with the Islamic Courts Union. The other would be an ideological sympathy for Taliban-like and Al Qaeda-like groups.

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Durango, Colo.: Dana -

Do you give any credence to ABC piece that NSA has targeted cell phone records of journalists, seeking calling patterns that might implicate their confidential sources in government - the bad so-called "leakers" (as opposed to the useful ones in and around Cheney's office)

Given the administration's ire over secret programs you and The Post have revealed, is Post management concerned about this possibility?

Dana Priest: I, and the Post management, are greatly concerned in general about the government's efforts to make our reporting on vital national security issues more difficult. I'm not convinced my phones are being monitored, though, but would solicit anyone out there with any specific information on the subject. 202-334-4490 if you dare! or the good old-fashion mail will do.

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Toronto, Canada: I don't think any journalist has done more to shed light on the conditions of those detained in the GWOT than you have.

Your colleague, Josh White, reported that there are negotiations to return all the remaining Afghans to Afghanistan. If I read his article correctly approximately half of the remaining Afghan detainees are still suspected of committing some kind of crime, and that they would be tried in Afghan courts, while the other half would be set free.

From what you know, is Afghanistan capable of giving these men a fair trial?

Dana Priest: The real problem in this regard is that the US doesn't actually have the kind of proof of an actual crime that would stand up in a court as we know it. Most of these people did not "commit" crimes. Some of them trained in AQ camps, which, literally, is not a crime. Their crime is being ready and willing to commit a crime in the future, the crime of violence, of terrorism. See the problem. That's the whole premise of GITMO, to be able to detain people who say they want to commit a crime against the US but haven't yet, or some version of that. The Afghan courts would have to recognize that too in order to try them, I suppose.

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Regarding Durango's Question...:

Didn't the Bush admin. try to subpoena your phone records for your CIA renditions story?

Dana Priest: Not that I know of. The CIA referred the secret prisons story to the Justice Department for investigation. What happened after that is still a little unclear.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Good Day.

Has newly-appointed CIA Director Hayden chosen his Deputy yet? Also, would you please elaborate on any recent developments surrounding this issue? Thank you.

Dana Priest: Last I knew he still intended to have Steve Kappes nominated as his deputy. He's the former DDO who quit in protest under Goss. There's been some push back by some Republicans, notably House intel chair Pete Hoekstra. But that may have died down.

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Rockville, Md.: Yesterday Sen. John Warner implied that some hearings on the Haditha massacre "would be forthcoming", though he didn't set any kind of time frame. Should we assume this will have a similar schedule to the Amazing Disappearing Phase II Iraq Intel investigation report? I.e., three years and counting -- during which the press will experience amnesia that it was ever promised?

Dana Priest: No, although I disagree with that last part of your premise. First, Warner is a powerful Republican and when he says jump, the armed forces jump. (Intel chairs are much easier to ignore frankly) Second, Warner does not shy from controversial inquiries. And finally, its much easier to investigate (not as much is classified) since the military has a full-fledged investigative arm complete with its own law and procedures. The IC relies, largely, on their separate Inspector Generals, who can be quite weak.

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Amherst, Mass.: Dana, thanks for taking questions. What is the reaction going to be in the U.S. of A if the new Iraqi government grants amnesty to those who attacked U.S. forces?

Dana Priest: I bet it won't be as loud as you might have thought. After all, the first purpose of the amnesty is to entice people (including Iraqi, not foreign, Iraqi insurgents) into backing a coalition government. And having such a government is the only way the US is going to be able to pull out with defeat, or retreat. It's the only way to achieve our strategic goal of a more stable Iraq. Secondly, I predict there will be a standard for those who attacked US forces. I can't imagine people who set IEDs being freed, but I can imagine freeing people who throw rocks or who were rounded up in insurgency sweeps but were never linked to any violence.

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Rockville, Md.: How did you gain your knowledge of the Intel world. Did you have classes on it or just learning from sources? Your in depth knowledge is fascinating.

Dana Priest: Just my work as a reporter, which includes going to seminars and conferences (the closest thing to "classes").

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Ft. Belvoir, Va.: Dana, is it possible to follow the transcripts without commenting?

Dana Priest: yes, just call it up

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Pauling, N.Y.: I read something today saying that intel operatives in Afghanistan are upset at being reassigned to an all out push to find UBL before the November elections. Any corroboration on this?

Also, any news on U.S.-Iran talks?

Dana Priest: I don't know about that but there is a huge, repeat huge, difference between finding Zarqawi and trying to find UBL. For one, Zarqawi was in the middle of operations on an extremely active battlefield. He moved around in a country overrun by Iraqis, Americans and others. He had to use communications all the time. UBL is totally the opposite. Isolated. No comms (or very little). In a no-man's land that is impossible to enter. He no longer really needs to direct anything. AQ and its adherents have become self-directing. So don't hold you're breath.

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Vienna, Va.: So...what ever happened to all those famous Gosslings who stirred things up at CIA. Did they leave with Goss or have the burrowed in planning to run an insurgency against Hayden?

Dana Priest: Most are leaving. A couple, the more substantive ones, may stay.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Good afternoon, why is not possible for the Congress to explain to the American people what has happened with the ongoing NSA domestic spying matter and whether this is constitutional or not? Are they afraid of the administration or of the political implications at the polls? The information from the administration has been vague, misleading and false. We need an answer.

Dana Priest: I think the members of Congress who have been briefed on this are deadly afraid that they will reveal classified information and then be subject to be called traitors (like the reporters who revealed the outlines have been) or reckless. The legality question is not clear cut since obviously the administration would differ with anyone who says it is illegal.

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Malvern, Pa.: Hi Dana,

What's the early feedback from inside the CIA on Director Hayden?

Dana Priest: Not bad. He's sent the message that he respects the culture and mission, and the message has been well received. Too early, for me at least, to say anything about the substance of his tenure.

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Akron, Ohio: Now that Rove is not being indicted, and despite the fact that Plame was not a covert operative at the time of the "leak" - making that leak a non-legal issue.... where do investigations stand on the leaks of actual classified information such as the NSA wiretapping program and alleged black op prisons in other countries?

Dana Priest: That's so silly! Do you really think the Justice Department would have spent so much time and money investigating something that was not a potential crime?

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Grosse Pointe, Mich.: Dana, I find these sessions and your reporting very informative, thank you. Improvements in HUMINT capabilities around the world in general ,and in the Arab world specifically, are clearly important objectives for the CIA. Given that they probably increased their recruiting and training after 9/11, how would you assess the agency's efforts, now that almost 5 years have passed, at actually implementing new programs/methods to meet these objectives?

Dana Priest: The clearest improvement have been in the CIA"s more direct work with foreign intelligence services. They set up more than two dozen joint operations centers -- and paid for them -- with other countries. These types of things yield much more potentially useful information than the James Bond-y type stuff.

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Ashland, Mo.: With respect to Congress declaring something unconstitutional, it doesn't matter. Only a court can declare something unconstitutional and have any effect. Even when a court ruling is final, the enforcement of the ruling is solely a function of the executive branch, although most presidents (even Nixon) comply.

Dana Priest: Yes, but Congress can use the power of the purse (which they have) to deny funding for anything they want--including things they believe to be illegal, or whatever. But that's not going to happen in this case.

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Dana Priest: Thank you for joining me! Until next week.

Cheers, Dana

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