To provide a framework for reviewing the intelligence community’s work on the Middle East, The Washington Institute convened a special Policy Forum panel discussion on February 16, 1995. Ellen Laipson was part of panel of regional experts and intelligence officials from the National Security Council, the Department of State and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Laipson’s presentation, edited for publication, can be found on the Washington Institute’s website.
“I believe intelligence has a unique contribution of assets and capabilities to inform decisionmakers in fairly rapid time of any new developments on terrorism…The combination of using techinical means, clandestine collection, and what is available from open sources cannot be duplicated by any of the other sources of expertise on this subject…”