Angry Spy Crew Hits Back at WaPo Probe

The intel community has struck back fast at a scathing Washington Post investigation that portrayed post-9/11 intelligence gathering as wastefully massive and out of control. "The fact is, the men and women of the intelligence community have improved our operations, thwarted attacks, and are achieving untold successes every day," National Intelligence director David Gompert said, while admitting that spies "operate in an environment that limits the amount of information we can share."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates sounded persuaded by the report's criticism, saying: "Nine years after 9/11, it makes sense to sort of take a look at this and say, 'OK, we've built tremendous capability, but do we have more than we need?'" The report comes just ahead of confirmation hearings for James Clapper as new director of National Intelligence—awkward timing for the administration, the New York Daily News reports.
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