Larisa Alexandrovna: NIE Lacks Supporting Evidence, Possibly Politicized, Intell Officials Say

[Hissyspit]

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/National_Intelligence_Estimate_sloppy_and_possibly_0725.html

National Intelligence Estimate lacks supporting evidence, possibly politicized, intelligence officials say
Larisa Alexandrovna
Published: Wednesday July 25, 2007

Current and former intelligence officials say the Bush Administration's National Intelligence Estimate regarding terrorist threats to the United States does not provide evidence to support its assertions and may have inflated the domestic threat posed by the Lebanese political and military group Hezbollah, perhaps because it receives financial support from Iran.

- snip -

Speaking under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, several intelligence officers asserted that the report was sloppy and lacked supporting evidence. "The NIE seems… fiddled (with)," regarding Hezbollah, one high-ranking CIA official said. "Whether it is or isn't is not really the point. The point is that nobody is ready to believe it. As regards to the Hezbollah 'threat,'" the official added, "they just threw that in. "Nobody in CIA talks to Hezbollah, and they're living off their assessments from back in the 80s, which they really never got right anyway."

An individual close to the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research told RAW STORY the document's assertions are not backed up by empirical or external evidence even in the classified version. In addition, this official explained, the information lacks context and does not prioritize threats.

- snip -

Intelligence officials would not confirm whether the classified version contained dissenting views. However, several expressed concern that parts of the report may have been politicized.

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[leftofthedial]

1. the bush gang fiddling intel to support their war profiteering aims?

Naw!

[Jim__]

2. It is exceedingly stupid to politicize intelligence.

It is deliberately blinding yourself to what is actually going on in the world. The bush admin is just full of idiots.

[lala_rawraw]

3. Thanks for posting this...

it is really an important story and sadly, it got lost in the day of contempt:(

[Hissyspit]

8. Yes, it did.

Thanks for writing it.

[lala_rawraw]

10. thanks for posting it... equally important IMHO:)

[bemildred]

4. Goodness, you're not suggesting they would just make things up are you?

:rofl::rofl:

[Lugnut]

11. I'm shocked

Naw. Same old, same old A#1 BS.

[mmonk]

5. Echos of what's been going on for sometime.

The bush administration is a master at this.

[Swamp Rat]

6. k&r for Larisa

:kick:

[annabanana]

7. Just because WE consider it SOP for this crowd... I am SO glad

That LaLa is pushing the story forward. Nominated for the eyes that need to see!!

[PA Democrat]

9. K & R. I'd be more surprised if there was something

the Bush administration DIDN'T politicize.

[DemReadingDU]

12. afternoon kick