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  Myths About Intelligence
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ContributorTony82 
Last EditedTony82  Dec 02, 2003 02:48pm
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CategoryCommentary
MediaNewspaper - Washington Post
News DateTuesday, December 2, 2003 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionThe National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) of October 2002 concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has been dissected like no other product in the history of the U.S. intelligence community. We have reexamined every phrase, line, sentence, judgment and alternative view in this 90-page document and have traced their genesis completely. I believed at the time the estimate was approved for publication and still believe now that we were on solid ground in reaching the judgments we did.

The NIE judged with high confidence that Iraq had chemical and biological weapons and missiles with ranges in excess of the 150-kilometer limit imposed by the U.N. Security Council. It judged with moderate confidence that Iraq did not have nuclear weapons. These were essentially the same conclusions reached by the United Nations and by a wide array of intelligence services -- friendly and unfriendly alike. Moreover, when U.S. intelligence agencies disagreed, particularly regarding whether Iraq was reconstituting a uranium enrichment effort for its nuclear weapons program, alternative views were spelled out in detail. Despite all of this, a number of myths have been created that seem to have gained traction with the public. A hard look at the facts of the NIE should dispel these popular myths:
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