Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
US intel operations in Afghanistan under fire
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
US intel operations in Afghanistan under fire
AFP - Wednesday, January 6
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – US counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan were under scrutiny Tuesday after an Al-Qaeda double agent killed seven CIA officers and a military spy chief slammed intelligence failings in the country.
Major General Michael Flynn, the top NATO and US military intelligence chief in Afghanistan, said US-led forces were "so starved" of accurate on-the-ground intelligence "many say their jobs feel more like fortune telling."
"I don't want to say we are clueless, but we are. We're no more than a fingernail deep in our understanding of the environment," one operations officer was quoted in the report as saying.
Flynn's scathing criticism comes as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) investigates last week's attack at a base in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, in which seven US agents and a Jordanian officer were killed.
Jihadist websites boasted Tuesday that the suicide bomber was an Al-Qaeda double agent who tricked Western intelligence services for months.
Jordanian intelligence had brought him to eastern Afghanistan hoping he would help hunt down elusive Al-Qaeda number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the websites and Western intelligence agents cited by US media said.
But instead he blew himself up, killing eight including his Jordanian handler, a top intelligence officer and member of the royal family, marking the CIA's worst single loss of life since a Beirut bombing in 1983.
Flynn said radical structural changes were needed in Afghanistan to help an intelligence-gathering apparatus which "still finds itself unable to answer fundamental questions about the environment in which we operate and the people we are trying to protect and persuade."
While at a local level many agents knew a lot about their districts, such information was rarely collated and disseminated through the intelligence hierarchy.
Too often intelligence teams were focused on "reacting to enemy tactics at the expense of finding ways to strike at the very heart of the insurgency."
A failure to understand who the local Afghan powerbrokers are and ignorance of local economics and landowners had contributed to "hazy" knowledge, said the report released Monday by the Center for a New American Security.
And some officers said they acquired more helpful information on the situation on the ground and the local population from "reading US newspapers than through reviewing regional command intelligence summaries."
Flynn acknowledged the report, entitled "Fixing Intel: A Blueprint for Making Intelligence Relevant in Afghanistan" and published on the think tank's website, was unconventional.
But he said its recommendations aimed to provide "a shift in emphasis and a departure from the comfort zone of many in the intelligence community."
A senior intelligence official, however, told AFP it was aimed at military intelligence not the CIA.
"The focus of the report... is military intelligence. That makes sense given the authors and the large US military presence in Afghanistan," he said, adding that he hoped they were "trying to fix the problems they've identified in their own organization."
The Khost attack will, however, be a blow to CIA services wiping out years of intelligence work in the notoriously complex Afghan conflict, riven by tribal rivalries.
Both jihadist websites and Western intelligence agents cited by US network NBC News identified the bomber as Humam Khalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi alias Abu Dujana al-Khorasani arrested in late 2007 and recruited as a double agent by the Jordanian intelligence services.
But a senior Jordanian official, who asked not to be named, said there was no evidence Balawi was the bomber, adding he had supplied valuable information.
Balawi was reportedly taken to the CIA base in Khost because he claimed to have urgent information about Zawahiri, the Ana Muslim website said.
He was not searched as he went in because a CIA agent boasted: "He is our man, so there is no need," the website claimed.
He then pretended to detail plans for an operation on a piece of paper and asked the agents to gather round to look before blowing himself up, it added.
NBC News said his handler in Afghanistan, a captain in the Jordanian intelligence services identified by the Jordanian state news agency Petra as Ali bin Zeid, was killed in the attack along with seven CIA officers.
That report has not been confirmed in Jordan.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
China rules out new U.N. sanctions on Iran for now Reuters - Wednesday, January 6
NATO official: US intel lacking in Afghanistan AP - Wednesday, January 6
China dismisses Iran sanctions talk for now at UN AP - Wednesday, January 6
1,000 people homeless on Solomons after tsunami AP - Wednesday, January 6
India asks students to take precautions in Australia AFP - Wednesday, January 6
News Search
Top Stories
Criticism soars as Sweden's wolf hunt ends
Euro inflation accelerates to 0.9% in December: EU
Smith, Amla punish England during third Test
Nestle buys Kraft pizzas for $3.7 bln
German unemployment resists recession in 2009
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid
NASA's Kepler telescope finds five new planets
Beat the blues by going to bed early: study
British PM Brown named worst-dressed man
French rocker Hallyday's daughter hospitalised
More Most Viewed »
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 6 January 2010 Iraqi police seize artifacts amid smuggling fears
Euro inflation accelerates to 0.9% in December: EU
Electric car Think to be assembled in US in 2011: report
Israel to build more homes in East Jerusalem
Dutch say failed plane bomber acted alone
|
Apple acquires mobile ad company Quattro Wireless
Iceland president angers Britain, Dutch over bank bill
Top general blasts US Afghan intelligence gathering
Britain says had no warning of plane bomb plot
|
Italy class-action suit planned against Microsoft
Smith, Amla punish England during third Test
Iran renews execution threat against protesters
German unemployment resists recession in 2009
Microsoft announces retail prices for Office 2010
Suicide attacker at CIA base was Jordanian: report
Nestle buys Kraft pizzas for $3.7 bln
Polycom teams with IBM in consumer videoconference
Nigeria chafes at tougher U.S. air security rule
|
Saudi Arabia meets Egyptians on Palestinian talks
|
Blair to face Iraq war inquiry, big demand for seats
|
Google unveils Nexus One superphone
|
Apple acquires mobile ad company Quattro Wireless
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
China official says diesel spill is contained
Exhausted Japan finance minister to quit, says Nikkei
Strong aftershocks rattle Solomons after quake and tsunami
Justices To Hear Human Rights Group Challenge To Terrorism "Support" Law
Utah Men Sought In Death Of Officer During Routine Stop
Deep freeze in China as S. Korea cleans up after record snow
Obama to unveil new air security measures
Florida Father Fractures Infant's Skull While Beating Wife
German Pipe Manufacturer To Build Plant In Mississippi; 500 Jobs Coming
3rd White House crasher is local event planner
At least 7 die in China coal mine fire; 20 trapped
China factory blamed for lead poisoning in 51 kids
9/11 museum gets 'Dear Hero' collection of notes
American Pilot Pleads Guilty In British Court
Report: Ohio guard dies after horseplay with teen
California's Bakersfield Airport Shutdown After Suspicious Substance Is Found
Pakistan highlights West's failure in Afghanistan
SC first lady's memoir to be released next month
Skull linked to secret Yale society to be sold
Study: Children Affected By Hurricane Katrina Suffer From Serious Emotional Disturbances
Roaches, rats, then arson used in strip club feud
No evidence race behind Indian attacks
Police Football Team Tackle Would-Be Burglar
Mom faces woman accused of trying to cut baby out
Rising Motorhome Sales As Younger Generation Flocks To RV Lifestyle
Philippine massacre suspect pleads not guilty
2 critically hurt in SoCal train-car collision
Yuvraj boosts India in S.Lanka one-dayer
First Female Honored By Darwin Awards
Harley to introduce 12 motorcycle models in India
PetroVietnam reports fall in revenue
Taiwan gives foreigners stocks deadline to beat speculation
Japanese executives see slow economic recovery
US rally boosts Asian markets
Japan govt 'accepts finance minister's resignation'
Japan govt accepts finance minister's resignation: Kyodo
Turkmenistan, Iran set to open new gas pipeline
Reports: Japan finance minister offers to resign
Vince Vaughn marries in small, private ceremony
Japan Airlines wins backing for pension cuts
Vince Vaughn marries in small, private ceremony
|
Avatar, Up among Producers Guild nominees
|
Producer and musician Willie Mitchell dead at 81
Romania mulls junk food tax
Singapore's first casino resort to open January 20
Israeli village stirs up hummus war with record bid
Timing of SC first lady memoir not tied to divorce
Lady Gaga, Green Day added to Grammy lineup
"Avatar," "Up" among Producers Guild nominees
No comeback for Siegfried and Roy
Gaza militant killed in Israeli air strike
Japan eyes new finance minister amid policy, political doubts
|
US-TECH Summary
Criticism soars as Sweden's wolf hunt ends
Israel approves east Jerusalem building project
Some 30 million German bank cards hit by 2010 bug: banks
US intel operations in Afghanistan under fire
Tombs to lift lid on Egypt's ancient middle class
Taking aim at Google, Apple buys mobile ad firm
Bomb in Pakistani Kashmir kills three army cadets
|
Google unveils Nexus One smartphone
Internet witches and warlocks help nab US drug dealer
Cold snap spurs power rationing in China
|
Japan whalers accused of sinking protesters' boat
|
Apple App Store downloads top three billion
Gaza militant killed in Israeli air strike
|
China rules out new U.N. sanctions on Iran for now
|
China fights growing problem of tuberculosis
|
Costa Rican volcano erupts after long silence
|
U.S. pilot in botched Bay of Pigs invasion dies
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,372
AP NewsAlert
Tenn. officials want Davy Crockett document
Obama unveils changes to address bomb attempt
China rules out new U.N. sanctions on Iran for now
NATO official: US intel lacking in Afghanistan
RI lawmakers back funeral rights for gays
Mass. college bans head coverings that block face
China dismisses Iran sanctions talk for now at UN
NYC reaches new all-time low in murders
1,000 people homeless on Solomons after tsunami
MN airport reopens after suspicious bag cleared
Google revamps its mobile strategy with new phone
|
India asks students to take precautions in Australia
Cornel West, Quincy Jones to headline King holiday
HP unveils new PCs
|
Amazon takes larger-screen Kindle global
|
Disney unveils KeyChest technology
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
S.Korea finmin warns against hasty rate hike-paper
US slaps duties on China wire decking
Software maker sues China on piracy accusation
Investigators seek cause of death of LA socialite
Sam Mendes in talks to direct next Bond movie
NBC's Mitchell got most evening news time in 2000s
Polanski hearing could bring new defense strategy
Investigators seek cause of death of LA socialite
Smithsonian museums saw jump in visits last year
Polanski hearing could bring new defense strategy
|
Lenny Kravitz denies leaking Jackson collaboration
Sam Mendes in talks to direct next Bond movie
|
'Avatar,' 'Hurt Locker,' nominated in key Oscars indicator
Lady Gaga, Green Day, Pink to play at Grammys
Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner top movie poll
|
Lost producers come full circle in final season
|
People return to TV Sunday after holidays
Spider-Man 4 delayed over script clashes
|
Battery charge dismissed against Gerard Butler
Lenny Kravitz denies leaking Jackson collaboration
|
Hulk Hogan sets TNA record on Spike
|
Sharon Stone to guest star in Law & Order: SVU
|
Police Woman TV producer David Gerber dies, age 86
|
ESPN and Discovery launching 3-D TV networks
|
Snow brings mayhem to Britain as Europe shivers
5 Iraqis killed in traffic accident with US forces
Johnson and Johnson heiress found dead in LA
Egypt police clash with Gaza relief convoy members
Karzai seeks new cabinet before London conference
|
With pizza cash, Kraft sweetens bid for Cadbury
'Five policemen killed, 15 wounded' in Dagestan
Yemen arrests three Qaeda militants, targets leader
|
Suicide bomber kills seven in Russia's Dagestan
|
Israel's Barak getting death threats, official says
Northern Irish militants disarm, dissident threat remains
|
Egypt, Hamas exchange fire on Gaza frontier, 1 dead
|
UK's PM Brown faces leadership ballot call
|
France wants to add more countries to risk list
|
Media killings, deaths hit 132 in 2009, report says
|
US drone attack kills four in Pakistan: officials
Obama to honor outstanding teachers
Thai detention extended for alleged arms smugglers
Departure of ND senator unsettle Senate Democrats
Afghan official: Blast kills 4 kids, wounds dozens
Software maker sues China on piracy accusation
Officials cast Vegas shooting as 'suicide mission'
Fight against fat goes high-tech with new devices
Bomber kills 4 soldiers in Pakistani Kashmir
Fed judges: Wash. felony inmates should get vote
Sri Lankan Tamil party to back former general
Baidu to start new co to provide online video
|
US missiles, suicide bomb kill 15 in Pakistan
Alaska to test nation's emergency alert system
Malaysia court reinstates Allah ban pending appeal
Mom, baby die in car-SUV wreck on snowy NY roadway
China reporter sentenced in cover-up of mine blast
Gov. Schwarzenegger in denial about final year
Japanese whalers accused of sinking protest boat
Taiwan fears hot money could hurt economic recovery
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui to raise $8.7 billion
US software firm sues China for $2.2 bln
Turkmenistan, Iran open new gas route
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui plans huge share sale
Thai Airways executive chairman quits over baggage
S.Korea won hits fresh 15-mth high; gov't spotted
ESPN, Sony, Discovery, IMAX to bring 3-D TV into the home
Hulk Hogan sets "TNA" record on Spike
"Police Woman" TV producer David Gerber dies, age 86
Sharon Stone to guest star on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Sharon Stone to guest star in Law & Order: SVU
|
Green Day's 'American Idiot' is set for Broadway
Publishing magazine may get reprieve
Woman Unhappy With Hamburger Trashes McDonald's
Chevrolet Volt Electric Car and OnStar Get Smartphone Remote Control
British Columbia Logs Second Cougar Attack Within 1 Week
Same Sex British Columbia Couple Files Lawsuit Against Sperm Donor
NH Man Shoots Hoops For Good Cause
Filipino Pastry Chef's Creation For Moscow Hotel Gets Raves
Huge Tuna Sells For $175,000 At Japan Fish Market
Elite Danish Dating Site Boots 5,000 Members For Gaining Weight
American Pilot Pleads Guilty In British Court
Police Football Team Tackle Would-Be Burglar
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