Sharing Intelligence Key to Homeland Security

It was a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing... or rather knowing. That was the basis of criticism leveled against the U.S. intelligence community in the weeks and months following the 9/11 attacks - many blasted the feds for not pooling information, which collectively suggested a strike was imminent. Many charged that intelligence organizations like the CIA and FBI historically have jealously guarded their hard-won intelligence, not sharing it with government agencies, which are often seen as rivals. A story last week by United Press International reports that while awareness of these problems has been on the rise since 2001, the Dept. of Homeland Security, which itself is a conglomeration of other government agencies, is trying hard to promote cooperation and collaboration among national security organs.

"Making sure connections like those aren't missed in the future has been a major focus of the Department of Homeland Security and remains at the center of raging intelligence-reform debates," writes Thom J. Rose, the author of the story, entitled: "Information Sharing Faces Obstacles."

"Sharing information isn't simple, however, as some of the administrators charged with making it happen are quick to point out," he adds.

The story seems especially salient this summer, as federal officials once again are beating the terror-warning drum. This time, citizens can only hope that any credible, threat-specific information is shared and understood before it's too late.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040713-063136-1921r.