Washington Post intelligence reporter Dana Priest was online Thursday, July 13, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss the latest developments in national security and intelligence.

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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Dana Priest: Hi everyone. Thanks for hanging in. I was busy during our regular time frame. So let's begin.

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Las Vegas, Nev.: Hello Dana,

With Israel striking into Lebanon where or how far reaching and just your best guess or estimate this conflict could go?

President Bush is now blaming Syria, could this cause a major blow up (War) in the Middle East?? Like Israel or another Arab country attacking Israel?

Dana Priest: I'd really hate to predict but nothing about this looks good right now. and since we really don't have many sensible tracks in with the Syrians and Iranians, I don't know how much diplomatic leverage (or anything else) we will be able to exert to calm down the situation.

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Pacifica, Calif.: With tensions and violence increasing dramatically in the Middle East many believe that the United States should be playing a more constructive role in helping defuse the situation.

However, what we mainly hear from the administration is that Israel has a right to defend itself and that there is no partner for peace on the Palestinian side.

I agree that Israel can defend itself from attack, but it seems that the intensity of their actions will certainly cause increased violence in the long run.

If the U.S. govt. is truly committed to peace in the region shouldn't it press all sides to get together for negotiation? Or is it obvious to all that the administration has "taken sides" in this conflict?

Dana Priest: Well it is obvious that the US has taken sides, as you say, for decades. The US is a firm and basically unwavering supporter of Israel. And our leverage over them I've never thought is very strong. Not to get into a lot of history, but it would be quite a change in direction for Bush to step in right now. And even if he did, I'm not sure it would help.

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Rolla, Mo.: The recent escalation between Israel and Hamas/Palestinians/Lebanon is being attributed to the capture of an Israeli soldier in late June, but why does no one mention 2 provocative incidents by the Israelis earlier in June, the killing of a Palestinian family on a beach and the killing of 9 civilians in a strike on a van?

Dana Priest: One could certainly go tit for tat like that down through the decades, really. It never gets anyone any where and, in my opinion, it never will. This time around, though, given the existing tensions and bad-will with Iran on other things, and the involvement now of Hezbollah, I just can't envision how this ends. I hope I'm wrong.

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Annapolis, Md.: Dana,

Since 9/11, it occurred to me that the U.S. would be involved in a long struggle against Islamist radicalism, much like the Cold War against Communism, and that the job would not be complete until Hezbollah and similar terrorist organizations were destroyed. What are the chances that the opening salvo in that effort is what we're seeing now in Israel and Lebanon?

Dana Priest: It could be, yes. The problems with the analogy however, are vast: to begin with, it's the people who lived under the Soviet domination that rose up themselves and did the overthrowing. Secondly, at the time, the west and capitalism was an attraction that many sought. I'm really not sure that is the same thing in the radical Islamic circles. The part of the analogy that I do think is correct is that you cannot defeat this (or that) by military means. Again, we did not wage a military war against the Soviet Union that brought them down (yes, yes, I know what the Cold War was). It was the power of our ideas, the weakness of their ideas and their economy, but most importantly, the will of their own people to throw on the communist regimes that did them in.

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New Hampshire: Hi Dana.

CNN is reporting that the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Lebanon may be imminent. Seems kind of dicey to me with both civilian and military airports bombed and the harbors not at all secure. How do you think this may be accomplished and do you think the U.S. could get "drawn in" militarily?

Dana Priest: I was just discussing this with my colleagues. My opinion is yes. If Hezbollah, which is so controlled/supported/supplied by Iran, keeps it up and Israel cannot effectively repel this and protect its population, I could see the US conducting air strikes against Iran or Syria. I think the US will avoid this for as long as possible because the cost of actually joining in will be enormous. It would open up yet another anti-American element in Iraq (the Iranians who now play all sides of the fence). So I think there will be huge caution at the Pentagon to do this, huge. I would like you would first see logistics support and lots of firm words from the White House.

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Baltimore, Md.: As a long-time observer of national security issues, can you tell me if I am being alarmist to say that I don't remember a time of such heightened international tension? Everywhere I look on the international map, there is serious, serious trouble. Is this unprecedented or am I insufficiently jaded?

Dana Priest: I feel the same way you do. No comfort, but that's the truth. It's not just that tensions are flaring everywhere, it's that they're flaring while the US military is bogged down, truly, in Iraq.

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20165: Earlier, Michael Young, the correspondent in Lebanon suggested that the concept of a Nation State is a failure in the Middle East (I assume with Israel being the exception) because of ethnic minorities, and religious fanaticism. Do you agree with this assumption, and if so, what -if anything- can be done? I hate to say it, but it paints a hopeless picture.

Dana Priest: Maybe that is true, but it's kind of irrelevant because nation states are here to stay and the fight in the middle east is not really to get rid of them, it's to control one's own nation state (be you an Israeli seeking a peaceful, safe life, a Palestinian who wants a land of your own, an Iranian of various political/religious persuasions who may seek a more secular than religious state--or vice-versa, even a Saudi who, for example, yearns for a little democracy with your veil. You get my point).

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Fairfax, Va.: "...it would be quite a change in direction for Bush to step in right now. And even if he did, I'm not sure it would help."

Frankly, Dana, it is my perception that Bush's credibility is so shot with states in the Mid-East that if he did try to meddle, it would make things worse. Comment?

Dana Priest: I don't really agree. It depends. If it's more war-talk, maybe you're right. If something truly more creative, maybe not.

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West Palm Beach, Fla.: Hi Dana! You have done some outstanding reporting on the CIA's bolstering of foreign intelligence agencies (other countries' security services or "CIA" counterparts). Has there been any word on improved "information sharing" among the stateside intelligence bureaucracies? (e.g., the CIA sharing more intel with FBI?) Is the "wall" that agencies put up (whether by law or competition) still alive and well?

Dana Priest: Oh, it's still a long haul. Yes, there's been progress but in the process, the USG has created a mammoth bureaucracy that is probably, itself, a new impediment.

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Hyattsville, Md.: So do you think we are seeing the beginning of World War III?

Dana Priest: No

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Seattle, Wash.: Dana--Love your chats.

In light of Bradbury's comments yesterday,(always right) could the expansion of the President's power in war time trumpeted by Cheney and Gonzales, lead to the suspension of electoral elections? What if in 08 Bush decides we can't have elections because of terrorist actions? I understand this is a bit far-fetched or is it given the current climate?

Dana Priest: Far-fetched, Seattle.

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Reston, Va.: When we sell F-16's to Israel, isn't part of the agreement that they will not use them in offensive operations?

Dana Priest: Who said this was offensive? Not the Israelis.

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Baltimore, Md.: What are the necessary conditions for raising the homeland security threat level? Is there a list that you can look at that says "when this happens, raise to orange;" "when this happens, raise to red"?

Dana Priest: No such list. I don't think there ever has been. The color coding was tossed out because it was too confusing to people and because people were becoming numb to it. I don't think you'll see it again. Except for red. So hopefully that means we will not ever see it again.

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Chicago, Ill.: Hi Dana,

Love your work. How does sectarian strife influence the terrorists organizations? It seems like Hezbollah and Hamas are Shiite, while Al-Qaeda and their comrades are Sunni. Do these groups cooperate or if left to their own devices would they be at each others throats?

Dana Priest: They began cooperating on logistics, etc. a couple of years ago when they decided their enemy (US) was worth putting aside their differences. But, they have very different strategic aims. Hezbollah has always been focused on Israel and on the US only as it serves as a supporter to Israel. al-Qaeda's strategic aims are more nebulous: an Islamic caliphate, the destruction of the Saudi royal family, now the retreat of US from Iraq, and destruction of US interests and culture.

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Katy, Tex.: What factors would cause Syria and/or Iran to try to restrain Hezbollah and do either of those countries actually have that kind of clout, i.e. without them could Hezbollah thrive politically/militarily?

Dana Priest: Hezbollah could and is thriving politically without the Iranians. Military, no. it would be much more difficult, but I don't think that's going to happen. Hezbollah is Iran's real army and it's only real card against Israel and the US. Why would they cut their links and neuter themselves. it's just not going to happen.

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Munich, Germany: I hate to be a nuisance and ask about Somalia again, but I'm concerned that Somalia is turning into another Afghanistan-like haven for terrorists. When I read that the Islamic Militias had killed people for showing broadcasts of the Soccer World Cup, I was reminded of the hard-line Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

The newly appointed leader of the Islamic Militia, Sheik Aweys, has alleged ties to al-Qaeda, and three al-Qaeda leaders, suspected of being responsible for the 1998 African embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania are thought to be protected by the Islamic council.

Is there any more information about Aweys and his al-Qaeda connections?

Dana Priest: I don't have any more information on him, but I share you're concerns about the direction Somalia is headed.

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Ashburn, Va.: Does Syria have the will and the might to engage Israel militarily?

Dana Priest: Only through its proxies in Lebanon--unless the conflict spreads to Syria itself.

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Juneau, Alaska: Hi Dana-

Any chance you can cheer me up and see any silver linings in what looks to be a fairly cloudy Middle East picture?

From Olmert's comments can one say that a state of war exists right now between Israel and Lebanon?

Dana Priest: The only optimistic thing I can say is that it's one thing to pick a fight in a far away place and quiet another to pick a fight with a neighbor. The latter always involves high emotions, but all the possibility of mutual destruction. so the stakes are very high, and both sides are well aware of that--which can serve to moderate actions.

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Falls Church, Va.: re: Cold War

Didn't the bogging down of Soviet troops in Afghanistan play a large role in the unraveling of the Soviet empire? Hasn't that been the Bin Laden plan all along, with regards to the U.S.? Isn't it working...?

Dana Priest: Since bin Laden didn't have much to do with Iraq, it's hard for me to think how he put this in place. if you mean Afghanistan, well, I doubt it.

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Cleveland, Ohio: Is the CIA recovering from Goss and the Administrations "mistakes" now that Hayden's there? I imagine they are feeling/acting a bit like caged and abused dogs at this point.

Dana Priest: I think many people are more than willing to be optimistic about Hayden's abilities to do right by the agency. the bigger problem, in their view, is that the agency's role has shrunken considerably since intel reorganization. that's something Hayden can't (and probably doesn't want to) do anything about.

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Chantilly, Va.: How would you compare your sources/resources as against those that a CIA analyst would have?

Dana Priest: Better really. For several reasons: we can move about more freely in the world and get more answers from more sides on any issue. our culture is completely the opposite of the closed, secretive CIA world. This means we are much more open to contrarian views and trends, and to spotting them at the moment they are occurring. The agency is still working very hard to devalue the "secret" information its own operative get from people who have suspicious motives (because they are paid informants, for example, and therefore not neutral) and to put more value on open source information, like the media, where information stares you in the face. Now, obviously none of this is true for certain areas, like WMD, or the inner workings of terrorist networks. But as analysts of political/military/social trends I'd put our Middle East correspondent Anthony Shadid up against any ME analyst at the agency anytime. And if you don't believe me, go read his book on the Iraqis in Iraq and you'll see he captured the hostility of the Iraqis towards the Americans which is playing out now.

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Dana Priest: Thanks for joining me. Catch you next week. Cheers, Dana

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