The Quest for Absolute Security: The Failed Relations Among U.S. Intelligence Agencies

In its 9/11 report, the Kean Commission criticized U.S. intelligence for having failed to anticipate the terrorist attacks, basing its findings on the premise of absolute security. But, says Athan Theoharis, absolute security is an illusory quest. His compelling analysis traces the troubled history of relations among American intelligence agencies. By expanding the authority of the agencies and indeed calling for administrative reforms to ensure greater cooperation and coordination among them, these unilateral efforts, particularly by the CIA and FBI, have led not to enhanced security but to abuses of power and violations of individual liberties.