OPINION:
President Obama has criticized the work done by American intelligence agencies in assessing Middle East unrest. However, as The Washington Times points out (“Obama’s jihadist cover-up,” Comment & Analysis, Feb. 9), Mr. Obama has adopted policies that have hamstrung intelligence agencies in countering terrorism. By banning terms like “Islamist extremism” and “jihad,” the Obama administration has caused intelligence officers to fear that they are putting their careers in jeopardy if they explore too deeply into the connection between radical Islam and terrorism.
A good example is the case of the Fort Hood massacre. There were warning signs that should have caused the government to take action against the suspect. But government employees feared that they would be in trouble if they were too active in looking into his Islamic connections and jihadist statements.
It is as if Mr. Obama ties the arms of intelligence officers behind their backs and then complains that the officers aren’t doing enough to fight terrorism. This contradiction might be funny - except that the “joke” is on the American people.
NATHAN DODELL
Rockville, Md.
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