One issue that came up in the debate was whether or not reading the classified version of the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq would have given Hillary Clinton and/or John Edwards a better perspective on the war. Years later, and in the heat of a primary campaign, it’s a bit hard to look objectively at [...]
“The Perfect Storm”
Before War, CIA Warned of Negative Outcomes
Analysts in 2002 Described Worst-Case Scenarios, Including Anarchy in Iraq, Global Antipathy to U.S.
On Aug. 13, 2002, the CIA completed a classified, six-page intelligence analysis that described the worst scenarios that could arise after a U.S.-led removal of Saddam Hussein: anarchy and territorial breakup in Iraq, a surge of [...]
CIA Whites Out Controversial Estimate on Iraq Weapons
Main Subject of Today’s Senate Intelligence Report Remains Largely Secret; Agency Censors Document Despite Public CIA Speeches, Testimony, Statements
Washington D.C., 9 July 2004 - The CIA has decided to keep almost entirely secret the controversial October 2002 CIA intelligence estimate about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction that is the subject of today’s Senate Intelligence Committee [...]
Doubts, Dissent Stripped from Public Version of Iraq Assessment
Published on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 by Knight-Ridder
by Jonathan S. Landay
WASHINGTON - The public version of the U.S. intelligence community’s key prewar assessment of Iraq’s illicit arms programs was stripped of dissenting opinions, warnings of insufficient information and doubts about deposed dictator Saddam Hussein’s intentions, a review of the document and its once-classified version shows.
As [...]
Judis and Ackerman: “The Selling of the Iraq War: The First Casualty”
The Senate Intelligence Committee, in fact, was the greatest congressional obstacle to the administration’s push for war. Under the lead of Graham and Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, the committee enjoyed respect and deference in the Senate and the House, and its members could speak authoritatively, based on their access to classified information, about whether Iraq [...]
