Economic Instability Poses Security Threat to U.S.

For the first time in six years, terrorism was not presented as the primary danger to the country’s national security, according to Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair.  Instead, the global economic crisis is the top “near-term security concern” facing the U.S. 

Before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Mr. Blair stated that “roughly a quarter of the countries in the world have already experienced low-level instability such as government changes because of the current slowdown.”  As an immediate result, according to Mr. Blair, many countries will not be able to meet their humanitarian and defense obligations. 

While Mr. Blair stated that “we have seen notable progress in Muslim opinion turning against terrorist groups like al-Qaeda,” the threat of a terrorist attack on the U.S. and Europe remains and that there is still concern over al-Qaeda inspiring homegrown terrorists in the U.S. 

You can read about Mr. Blair’s remarks before the Select Committee on the websites of the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, and Wall Street Journal.

Spencer Ackerman of “Attackerman” also provides analysis of Mr. Blair’s remarks.

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