Summary

BY DAVID IGNATIUS, THE DAILY STAR, LEBANON

The U.S. has made the same mistake in evaluating fighters from ISIS that it did in Vietnam – by underestimating the enemy’s will, according to James Clapper, the director of national intelligence.

Clapper’s comments came in a telephone interview Wednesday, in which he summarized the elements of a new “National Intelligence Strategy” released this week. Clapper also agreed to answer some broader questions about intelligence issues confronting the country.

Intelligence officials haven’t publicly discussed the prospects for success of President Barack Obama’s small footprint strategy for combating ISIS through a coalition of nations, without directly committing U.S. combat troops.

Asked about threats beyond the Middle East, Clapper amplified comments that prefaced the intelligence strategy he released Thursday.

Asked whether U.S. agencies had met his goal of providing “anticipatory intelligence” when it came to Putin in Ukraine, Clapper said that Putin himself probably hadn’t planned on intervention until Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev last February.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2014/Sep-22/271299-as-in-vietnam-the-us-has-underestimated-its-foe.ashx#ixzz3E1pc1RYZ
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)