by Sam Miller

Created on: January 15, 2010   Last Updated: January 16, 2010

The attempted bombing of a Detroit bound flight from Amsterdam on Christmas day by Nigerian terrorist suspect, Farouk Abdul Muttalab, has called into question the ability of US intelligence agencies to detect a terrorist threat before it actually occurs.

The Christmas day bomb attempt (though a near miss) should have been detected if the intelligence leads on the suspect were followed. President Barack Obama called it, "systemic failure on the part of US intelligence operatives to check the information provided by the father of the terrorist suspect." 

The Dept of Homeland Security Secretary, the CIA and other agencies, should have been placed on alert if the information provided by the father to the US Embassy in Nigeria, had been taken seriously and properly investigated. The nonchallant attitude of the US Embassey was probably what may have caused the loophole for the terrorist suspect to slip passed the vigilance of Security officials.

Even though there were obvious lapses in intelligence is this sufficient to cause those concerned their jobs? I don't think so. Where do you start from if you have to fire staff of the US intelligence agencies? It is the collective responsiblity of all Americans to keep the US safe from a terrorist attack.

However more responsibliity is placed on the intelligence arm of the Government. President Barack Obama said he accepts full responsibility as the commander-in-chief because the buck stops with him.

The US intelligence agencies I am sure, have learned that the threat of a terrorist attack from al Qaeda is very real and vigilance is the watchword at all US airports and seaports. The gathering of intelligence information should be taken seriously by the intelligence agencies (CIA)

After the 9/11 attacks on the US by the al Qaeda terrorist network in 2002, there has not been another terrorist attack on US soil, thanks largely to the measures taken to tighten security at all airports and sea ports, plus the good intelligence work of the security operatives after 9/11.

However, all this hard work can come to nought if for one moment the guards are let down by the intelligence and security operatives. The classification of countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and now Nigeria on a terror watch list, may be counter productive as more tighter security searches of all nationals from these countries are undertaken, although the listing of Nigeria may not be so easily justified.

More needs to be done and vigilance is the watchword to make sure the US Homeland is protected against a terrorist attack which almost occurred on Christmas thanks to the divine grace of God.    

      

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