Former CIA Director McLaughlin to Scope Out Intel Problems

Security Magazine has just learned that Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair has asked John E. McLaughlin, a former Acting Director of Central Intelligence, to head a small group of national security experts who will look into recent challenges facing the Intelligence Community.

The group will review the Dec. 25 bombing attempt by alleged terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab aboard Northwest Flight 253, and the Nov. 5 shootings at Fort Hood, allegedly carried out by Army Maj. Nidal Hasan. The DNI has requested a careful examination of the sequence of events leading up to both incidents, as well as proposals to remedy potential weaknesses in intelligence systems and procedures that these incidents exposed.

"John McLaughlin is especially well-qualified to lead an independent assessment in this area and provide candid, constructive guidance to improve our future performance," Blair said. "I am pleased that his more than three decades of experience and wide range of leadership responsibilities in intelligence will once again be put to use in service to our country. I thank him for accepting this assignment, and look forward to receiving the results of his work."