">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Economic crisis top US security concern: intel chief  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
  
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Economic crisis top US security concern: intel chief
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - Friday, February 13
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The economic crisis is now the top US security concern with a prolonged downturn raising the worldwide risk of "regime-threatening instability," the US intelligence supremo warned.
ADVERTISEMENT
  
Social unrest in Europe has already highlighted the security risks unleashed by the crisis, and many poorer nations are ill-prepared to cope, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said.
There is the deeper menace of tit-for-tat trade barriers going up and so "unleashing a wave of destructive protectionism," the retired admiral told Congress in presenting the US intelligence community's annual risk assessment.
"The primary near-term security concern of the United States is the global economic crisis and its geopolitical implications," Blair said in testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
"Time is probably our greatest threat. The longer it takes for the recovery to begin, the greater the likelihood of serious damage to US strategic interests," he said.
Blair said about a quarter of the world's countries, notably in Europe and the former Soviet Union, had already experienced "low-level instability" including government changes.
While two-thirds of countries have sufficient financial means to limit the impact for now, "much of Latin America, former Soviet Union states and sub-Saharan Africa lack sufficient cash reserves" or access to aid or credit.
"Statistical modeling shows that economic crises increase the risk of regime-threatening instability if they persist over a one to two year period," Blair said.
"Besides increased economic nationalism, the most likely political fallout for US interests will involve allies and friends not being able to fully meet their defense and humanitarian obligations."
Even fast-growing China and India have taken a hit, Blair noted, and much of East Asia cannot export its way back to health as was the case in the region's 1997-98 crisis, because the crisis today is so widespread.
"Indeed, policies designed to promote domestic export industries -- so-called beggar-thy-neighbor policies such as competitive currency devaluations, import tariffs, and/or export subsidies -- risk unleashing a wave of destructive protectionism," he cautioned.
US economic leadership is under threat given the widely held view that excesses by Wall Street and inadequate regulation from Washington were to blame for the global crisis.
"It already has increased questioning of US stewardship of the global economy and the international financial structure," Blair said, with trading partners already upset over a "Buy American" provision in a US stimulus bill.
One geopolitical beneficiary could be China, he said, if the country's communist leadership "can exert a stabilizing influence by maintaining strong import growth and not letting its currency slide."
But the economic crisis also gives opportunities for renewed US leadership in international forums such as the World Trade Organization and the G20 club of rich and developing nations.
"The US tradition of openness, developed skills and mobility probably puts it in a better position to reinvent itself," the US intelligence chief said.
And he said global coordination was essential to rebuild trust in the financial system and to ensure that the crisis does "not spiral into broader geopolitical tensions."
The steep fall in oil prices triggered by the worldwide slowdown could lead to a "serious supply crunch" if crude producers choke off investment, Blair said.
But it could also "put the squeeze on the adventurism of producers like Iran and Venezuela."
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
   
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
   
 
 
 
 
 Enlarge Photo
 
A lone trader stands outside the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading in New York City. The economic crisis is now the top US security concern with a prolonged downturn raising the worldwide risk of "regime-threatening instability," the US intelligence supremo warned.
 
 
 
Most Popular – Top Stories
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Merrill bonuses made 696 millionaires: probe
 
 
British armed police swoop on cowboy party
 
 
ABB annual net profit drops to 3.1 bln dlrs
 
 
Crisis shakes steel, auto, oil sectors
 
 
Indian woman has football-sized tumour removed from jaw
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
 
   
 
Other News on Friday, 13 February 2009 U.S. airbase in Kyrgyzstan locked up in limbo
| International
|  
U.S. warns of space dodgeball after satellite crash
| International
|  
Joaquin Phoenix Makes Disastrous "Letterman" Appearance  
Russia NATO envoy says alliance needs Moscow's help
| International
|  
Colombian ambush kills seven, 15 more wounded
| International
|  
Google exits broadcast radio ad business
| Technology
|  
U.S. tweaks Internet privacy guidelines
| Technology
|  
Netflix passes 10 million subscriber mark
| Technology
|  
Google plans data center at old Finnish paper mill
| Technology
|  
Feb 12 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy  
Nevada Leads U.S. Home Sales While Prices Drop To Record Low  
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab  
Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici Subpoenaed In Attorney Firings Probe  
Oil Refiners Slow Down Production To Keep Prices Of Gasoline Up  
Racist 1908 Incident In Abe Lincoln's Hometown Led To Formation Of NAACP On 100th Centennial Of His Birth  
Retailers Expect Weak Valentine's Day Spending  
American Idol boots off Joanna Pacitti
| Entertainment
|  
Michael Shannon finds Oscar nod nice, life strange
| Entertainment
|  
Thirst for learning defies forced marriage in film
| Entertainment
|  
Barat rules out Libertines reunion right now
| Entertainment
|  
U2 gets week long gig on David Letterman show
| Entertainment
|  
Just A Minute With: Doubt Oscar nominee Viola Davis
| Entertainment
|  
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab  
67 Computers Missing From Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab  
Vatican Accepts Darwin's Theory Of Evolution Compatible With Christianity  
Murder Charge For Mom Who Dropped Baby In Lake Pontchartrain  
Racist 1908 Incident In Abe Lincoln's Hometown Led To Formation Of NAACP On 100th Centennial Of His Birth  
Retailers Expect Weak Valentine's Day Spending  
On Darwin's 200th Birthday, Less Than 40 Percent Of Americans Believe In Evolution  
Australian man charged over deadly bushfires
| International
|  
US envoy prepares for key Afghan talks  
Pakistan says it arrests Mumbai attack plotters
| International
|  
U.S., France, UK oppose suspending Bashir Darfur case  
Final count leaves Israel with election headache
| International
|  
Cruise-in In Daytona  
Hamas agrees truce, announcement within 48 hrs: report  
North Korea assembling longest-range missile: report
| International
|  
Netanyahu ahead in battle for Israel's helm: observers  
Dozens feared dead in US plane crash  
Cuba's Fidel Castro doing well: Chilean president
| International
|  
8 more Shiite pilgrims killed by Iraq bomb attack  
Ex-Somali president's son set to become PM
| International
|  
Family income linked to child language skills: study  
U.S., France, UK oppose suspending Bashir Darfur case
| International
|  
Hamas says Gaza truce deal expected in next 3 days  
US scientists defend Darwin from attacks on evolution  
Tibet's religious life still bruised by Lhasa riots
| International
|  
Reformist candidate slams Iran's hard-line leader  
US lawmakers gird for stimulus showdown  
Slumdog turns spotlight on Mumbai's biggest slum
| International
|  
Final count leaves Israel with election headache  
Economic crisis top US security concern: intel chief  
Cleaner waters attract sharks to Sydney beaches
| International
|  
Moderate party holds edge in final Israeli count  
Sudan dismisses Beshir ICC charge as 'rumours'  
Obama hails Lincoln's legacy on bicentennial  
Lincoln text urging unity sells for 3.4 mln dlrs  
UK celebrates 200th Darwin anniversary  
Microsoft to open own stores, take on Apple
| Technology
|  
US retail sales stage surprise rebound  
U.S. tweaks Internet privacy guidelines
| Technology
|  
U.S. video game sales show continued strength
| Technology
|  
US plane crashes into home, burst into flames  
Google plans data center at old Finnish paper mill
| Technology
|  
Pennsylvania County Judges Plead Guilty To Wire, Tax Frauds  
Continental Plane Crashes Into New York Home, 49 Killed  
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources
| Technology
|  
Obama Vows Justice For USS Cole Victims, To Transfer Bombing Mastermind To U.S. Prison  
U.S. Navy In Second Seajack Bust, Arrests 9 Suspected Pirates  
"Mortal Combat" videogame maker seeks bankruptcy protection  
Iran nuclear arms bid unclear: US intel chief  
Microsoft Seeking Worm Source, Offers $250,000 Reward To Informant  
Royal watchers can track British Queen on website
| Technology
|  
YouTube testing video downloads  
Iridium says in dark before orbital crash  
Southwest Airlines Plane Catches Fire, Makes Emergency Landing In Las Vegas  
New York City Should Consider Four-Day Work Weeks, New IBO Reports Says  
World economic crisis is top U.S. security threat  
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources  
Sen. Judd Gregg Withdraws From Commerce Secretary Consideration  
Congress sets final votes on stimulus for Friday  
U.S. video game sales show continued strength  
New Unemployment Claims Fall In First Week Of February  
40 job cuts as Google exits broadcast radio ad business  
Wall Street Pares Losses On Home Loan News  
More Americans updating status online: Pew  
Freed Ukrainian cargo crew back on land  
Online retail spending falls in 4th qtr: comScore  
Italy's right-to-die woman buried in native village  
Microsoft offers reward to catch worm maker  
Britain refuses entry to far-right Dutch MP  
NASA scoops up Twitter award for Mars 'tweets'  
Russia wants 'fully fledged' ties with NATO: Medvedev  
Cuba gets its own twist on Linux  
YouTube renews music video deal with Sony Music: sources  
Facebook, Nokia look to bring social network to mobiles  
Dreamgirl Hudson dominates NAACP Image awards
| Entertainment
|  
Madonna the top-earning musician of 2008
| Entertainment
|  
Friday the 13th looks to top long weekend
| Entertainment
|  
Eminem's Bottle breaks download record
| Entertainment
|  
Short movies make big Oscar splash
| Entertainment
|  
Indonesia to extradite pedophile suspects  
Da Vinci Code author sees secret revealed
| Entertainment
|  
Suspect charged in deadly Australian fire  
Andre Rieu, king of waltz, fiddles his way to stardom
| Entertainment
|  
Australia arrests arson suspect after deadly fires  
Hollywood eyes more play dates with toy industry
| Entertainment
|  
Report: Man charged with arson in Australia fire  
Slumdog turns spotlight on Mumbai's biggest slum
| Entertainment
|  
North Korea reportedly assembling longest-range missile  
Chinese police arrest 17 in drug trafficking bust  
More civilians flee war zone as Sri Lanka snubs Britain  
Army creates new 'safe zone' in Sri Lankan war  
Call for calm as Australia hit by more shark attacks  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Surfer injured in second Sydney shark attack  
Cigarettes still burning holes in Austrian ban  
Protectionism 'absolute evil', says Japanese minister  
Serbia's Roma fight poverty with education  
Seoul shares end up 1 pct; techs, autos rise  
"Dreamgirl" Hudson dominates NAACP Image awards  
Dell awards technology education grants in India, Brazil and Mexico  
Estelle Bennett, member of The Ronettes, dies  
New Zealand house, retail sales slow  
Short movies make big Oscar splash  
Telecom 1st half profit down 60 pct  
Andre Rieu, "king of waltz," fiddles his way to stardom  
Taiwan dollar barely changed, mkt wary over c.bank  
Spain's Adria unveils food of tomorrow  
Nissan reviewing alliance plans with Chrysler  
Dada and surrealist masterpieces make US stop  
"Friday the 13th" looks to top long weekend  
Korea Hot Stocks  
1 worker's struggle for a factory job in China  
Powerful earthquake hits Indonesia, 42 injured  
Seoul shares open flat; Hana falls after results  
Female bomber kills 32 on Iraqi pilgrimage route
| International
|  
Obama's dream of bipartisanship takes hit  
U.S. offers Moscow concession on missile shield
| International
|  
Iraq suicide bomber kills dozens of Shiite pilgrims  
Eurozone recession 'deepens with record GDP drop'  
Female bomber kills 32 on Iraqi pilgrimage route  
Algeria twin bombings kill seven: APS news agency
| International
|  
Jennifer Hudson Wins Three Gongs At The NAACP Image Awards  
Turkish army reportedly kills 13 rebels in north Iraq  
Russia says deal near on UN monitors in Georgia
| International
|  
Britney Spears' Paparazzo Ex-Lover Adnan Ghalib Under Investigation For Trying To Run Over A Man With His Car  
India welcomes Pakistan probe, wants terror camps shut
| International
|  
Hu launches China's largest gift to West Africa
| International
|  
Tibet's religious life still bruised by Lhasa riots
| International
|  
Telecom industry faces moment of truth
| Technology
|  
Kenya, Turkey, Japan lead mobile money trend
| Technology
|  
Nokia, others target mobile software sales
| Technology
|  
Nokia, others target mobile software sales  
Telecom industry faces moment of truth  
Nokia extends "Comes with Music" phone lineup  
Chicago Condo Developers Auction Units To Reduce Inventory  
Los Angeles Eyes New Gun Control Law  
One Of Nation's Largest Magazine Distributors Closes Doors, Lays Off Undisclosed Number Of Employees  
Nokia, others rush for mobile software sales  
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Warns Of Up To 25 Percent Fare Hike  
Nokia extends "Comes with Music" phone lineup  
Public Utility TVA Slashes Electric Rates For 9 Million Customers, Also Suspends Executive Bonuses  
President Offers Condolences To Victims Of Continental Plane Crash  
Pelosi, Reid Formally Invite Obama To Speak Before Feb. 24 Joint Session  
Housing Crisis Resulting In 1 Vacant House For Every 9 In The U.S  
Bush To Give First Post-White House Speech In Canada  
Intelligence Chief Identifies Global Economic Crisis As Top Threat To U.S.  
Pakistan presses India over Mumbai investigation  
Duds outweigh discoveries at Berlin film festival
| Entertainment
|  
Myanmar extends detention of opposition leader  
India welcomes Pakistan prob  
Thai PM: Myanmar migrants were sent back to sea  
Australia debates controlled burns  
Report: 2 sentenced to death in India drain murder  
Suspect charged in deadly Australian fire  
Japan, Sweden hold bailout lessons for US  
Dung is key to tracking elusive Cambodian tiger  
Nissan, Chrysler 'put joint projects on hold'  
Malaysian government faces critical by-elections  
Pakistan says economic problems easing  
Pakistani stocks rise 4.2 pct on accounting waiver  
Love among the stars: Celebs share Valentine plans  
Japan, Sweden hold bailout lessons for US  
Duds outweigh discoveries at Berlin film festival  
Scorsese plans film on early Japanese Christians  
Pakistan economic problems easing, says PM adviser  
HK stock index climbs over 2 percent  
Japan economy seen shrinking at 10 pct pace in 4Q  
Air France reports heavy loss, reduces staff  
G7 finance chiefs meet in Rome amid recession storm  
Former rebel gunned down in Indonesia's Aceh  
Octuplets' Doctor Has Another Patient In Her 40s Expecting Quadruplets  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights