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U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence

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Mandatory military detention of terror suspects clears Senate hurdleupdated: Tue Nov 15 2011 22:07:00

A controversial provision to require the military to retain custody of terror suspects affiliated with al Qaeda, the Taliban or their allies has been approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee and will be voted on by the Senate.

Petraeus tells senators he wanted CIA jobupdated: Fri Jun 24 2011 05:50:00

Gen. David Petraeus told his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday that "I wanted this job" as he explained his willingness to retire from the military after 37 years to become CIA director.

Petraeus in Washington with Afghanistan troop drawdown recommendationupdated: Mon Jun 13 2011 23:07:00

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the war in Afghanistan, has arrived in Washington for a one-two national security punch that is certain to leave ripples over the next several days.

Bin Laden death photos to be shown to some members of Congressupdated: Wed May 11 2011 05:37:00

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, as well as those in the equivalent House committees, will be allowed to view the photographs taken of Osama bin Laden after he was killed, a U.S. official told CNN Tuesday.

Who else was in the bin Laden compound?updated: Wed May 11 2011 05:37:00

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh looks at who else was in the compound when Osama bin Laden died.

Intel chief says his Muslim Brotherhood remark misunderstoodupdated: Wed Feb 16 2011 15:30:00

The nation's top intelligence officer sought to clarify Wednesday a comment that was roundly criticized when he said that the Muslim Brotherhood was a "secular" group.

Intelligence nominee: Not a 'figurehead'updated: Fri Aug 06 2010 06:14:00

Director of National Intelligence nominee James Clapper talks about the position during his confirmation hearing.

Senate confirms Clapper as intelligence chiefupdated: Fri Aug 06 2010 06:14:00

James Clapper was confirmed unanimously by the Senate Thursday night to be the nation's next intelligence chief.

McCain to lift hold on confirmation of intelligence chiefupdated: Mon Aug 02 2010 19:12:00

Sen. John McCain said Monday he would lift a "hold" on the confirmation of James Clapper to be the Director of National Intelligence if he receives a report he's requested for the past 18 months.

Senate panel approves Clapper's nomination as intelligence chiefupdated: Thu Jul 29 2010 15:52:00

James Clapper is one Senate vote away from becoming the nation's next intelligence chief.

Nominee for intelligence chief says he'd have enough cloutupdated: Wed Jul 21 2010 05:33:00

President Barack Obama's nominee to be the new director of national intelligence said Tuesday he can succeed in the job without Congress legislating new authority.

Spy chief confirmation hearing set for Tuesdayupdated: Tue Jul 20 2010 09:55:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a confirmation hearing Tuesday afternoon for Gen. James Clapper, President Barack Obama's nominee for director of national intelligence.

Clapper's challenge to protect Americaupdated: Tue Jul 20 2010 09:55:00

Can the nominee to head the intelligence community meet the challenge of preventing an attack?

Spy chief confirmation hearing set for next Tuesdayupdated: Tue Jul 13 2010 20:05:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a confirmation hearing next Tuesday for Gen. James Clapper, President Barack Obama's nominee for director of National Intelligence, according to committee Chairman Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California.

New spy agency chief held up by congressional infightingupdated: Fri Jun 25 2010 09:56:00

President Barack Obama's nominee to be the nation's chief spy has been left waiting in the wings while Congress tries to complete work on a new intelligence bill being held up by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Obama's top intelligence adviser resignsupdated: Fri May 21 2010 12:20:00

The president's top intelligence adviser, National Intelligence Director Dennis C. Blair, announced his resignation Thursday in a move sources said came amid increasing tensions with the White House.

Report: Agencies failed to connect dots in attempted airline bombingupdated: Tue May 18 2010 20:22:00

A Senate Intelligence Committee report released Tuesday sharply criticized the National Counterterrorism Center for failing to properly coordinate intelligence activities to detect the botched Christmas Day airline bombing.

GOP senator: 'Not convinced' of Times Square suspect-Taliban linkupdated: Thu May 13 2010 02:21:00

The top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee says he doesn't yet see the evidence to support Obama administration claims that the Times Square bombing suspect was working on behalf of the Pakistani Taliban.

Taliban link to Times Square suspect?updated: Thu May 13 2010 02:21:00

GOP Rep. Peter Hoekstra talks about the investigation into the failed Times Square bombing.

Senator: Shahzad waives right to speedy arraignmentupdated: Tue May 11 2010 22:15:00

The man arrested on suspicion of attempting a car bomb attack on New York City's Times Square has waived his right to a speedy court appearance, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday.

Ex-NSA worker accused in leaks to reporterupdated: Thu Apr 15 2010 16:28:00

A former employee of the secretive National Security Agency has been indicted in connection with the leak to a reporter of classified information about the agency's electronic intelligence programs, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

John King: Clashes in Iran, disagreement in U.S.updated: Mon Jun 22 2009 08:01:00

The dramatic and at times deadly post-election fallout in Iran dominated the Sunday conversation. And as we watched more demonstrations on the streets of Tehran, the debate among key policy-makers in the United States centered on whether the Iranian regime was potentially near a tipping point and whether President Obama has been too cautious his handling of this major challenge.

'No one is above the law,' Holder says of torture inquiryupdated: Wed Apr 22 2009 18:47:00

Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that he would "follow the law" as he weighed potential prosecutions of Bush administration officials who authorized controversial harsh interrogation techniques.

Senate panel starts inquiry into CIA interrogation programupdated: Thu Mar 05 2009 19:35:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee has launched a review of the Bush administration's controversial interrogation and detention program.

Senate panel to review CIA programs under Bushupdated: Fri Feb 27 2009 02:06:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee is preparing a review of the CIA's controversial interrogation programs under the Bush White House, a Senate Democratic aide told CNN.

Senate committee backs Panetta as CIA chiefupdated: Wed Feb 11 2009 18:24:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to send the nomination of Leon Panetta as CIA director to the full Senate for confirmation.

Obama to name Panetta to lead CIA, Blair as intelligence chiefupdated: Mon Jan 05 2009 21:09:00

Leon Panetta, chief of staff in President Bill Clinton's White House, will be President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be CIA director, two Democratic officials told CNN on Monday.

Surveillance bill filibuster falls short in Senateupdated: Thu Jun 26 2008 01:45:00

An effort to block a wide-ranging overhaul of U.S. wiretapping laws failed in the Senate on Wednesday, with opponents mustering only 15 votes against the bill in a procedural vote.

House approves overhaul of wiretap lawsupdated: Fri Jun 20 2008 16:13:00

The House approved a bipartisan plan Friday to overhaul the nation's wiretapping laws.

Senate report slams Bush over prewar intelligenceupdated: Thu Jun 05 2008 12:19:00

The Bush administration misused intelligence to build a case for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a report issued Thursday.

Lawmakers want answers about destroyed CIA tapesupdated: Mon Dec 10 2007 14:56:00

Top lawmakers are demanding to know why the CIA destroyed videotapes of interrogation techniques being used on terror suspects and who knew about it.

Committee passes surveillance laws update in face of veto threatupdated: Thu Nov 15 2007 18:41:00

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed on a strict party-line vote an update to the nation's electronic surveillance laws despite a veto threat from the attorney general.

New AG threatens veto of Leahy surveillance plan updated: Wed Nov 14 2007 23:01:00

Attorney General Michael Mukasey jumped into the political fray in his first week on the job, telling a key Democratic senator he opposed his electronic surveillance plan and would recommend the president veto it if it is passed.

The 'brain' of the war on terrorupdated: Tue Sep 25 2007 12:40:00

CNN's Kelli Arena gets exclusive access inside the FBI's terrorist screening center.

With 300,000 names on list, terrorist center always on alert updated: Tue Sep 25 2007 12:40:00

About a hundred times a day, from anywhere in the world, a phone call comes in that sounds something like this: I think I've got a terrorist suspect here, can you check it out?

Report: Intelligence predicted most problems in Iraqupdated: Fri May 25 2007 03:27:00

Before the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, U.S. intelligence predicted many of the current challenges there, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee investigation report released Friday.

Spy court rejects no requests in 2006updated: Tue May 01 2007 20:47:00

The United States' secret surveillance court in 2006 did not reject any of the more than 2,000 government requests for permission to conduct electronic surveillance and physical searches, according to a Justice Department report released Tuesday.

Intelligence agencies to face 'cleanup agenda'updated: Thu Nov 23 2006 15:23:00

The incoming chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee says he will have a "cleanup agenda" ready when Democrats take power in January.

Hoekstra: Major program kept from Congressupdated: Sun Jul 09 2006 20:37:00

The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee accused the Bush administration Sunday of failing to inform Congress of "significant activity" in ongoing secret intelligence programs.

Hayden nomination moves to full Senateupdated: Tue May 23 2006 15:30:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 12-3 Tuesday in favor of Gen. Michael Hayden to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, sending his nomination to the floor for a vote by the full Senate.

Hayden comments on key issuesupdated: Thu May 18 2006 11:29:00

Gen. Michael Hayden answered a wide range of questions Thursday at the Senate Intelligence Committee. Click on a topic for excerpts of what he said on key issues.

Senators press CIA nominee on independenceupdated: Wed May 10 2006 12:23:00

Key senators pressed Michael Hayden on Wednesday about whether he would operate as an independent CIA director despite his active status as an Air Force four-star general.

Porter Goss resigns as CIA chiefupdated: Fri May 05 2006 22:09:00

CIA Director Porter Goss is resigning, President Bush announced Friday.

House group to oversee NSA eavesdroppingupdated: Wed Mar 29 2006 13:38:00

The House Intelligence Committee has set up a special group to conduct oversight of the National Security Agency's eavesdropping program, a spokesman for the panel's chairman said Wednesday.

Senate plans no probe of NSA spy program updated: Fri Feb 17 2006 08:13:00

For now, the Senate Intelligence Committee won't investigate the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program, its chairman said.

Democrat: White House built 'wall' around spy programupdated: Thu Feb 02 2006 12:38:00

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller on Thursday complained about a "wall the White House has constructed" around its domestic surveillance program and said Democrats will press their attacks on the president's authorization of the program.

Senators to set Iraq inquiry timetableupdated: Tue Nov 08 2005 11:34:00

Six senators are meeting Tuesday to set out a new schedule for investigating prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Roberts blasts closed session 'stunt'updated: Wed Nov 02 2005 01:38:00

Sen. Pat Roberts, the Republican head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that Democrats knew progress was being made in the investigation of prewar intelligence on Iraq when they called for a rare closed session.

Democrats reject offer on Bolton documentsupdated: Thu Jun 16 2005 04:38:00

The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee offered what he called a compromise to break the impasse over President Bush's pick for U.N. ambassador, but a leading Democrat rejected the deal.

FindLaw's Anita Ramasastry: Patriot Act should be reined inupdated: Wed Jun 01 2005 14:40:00

The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee is considering a draft bill that would reauthorize some of the most controversial provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act. The bill is called the Patriot Reauthorization Act (PAREA).

Goss: North Korea's nuclear capability grows updated: Wed Feb 16 2005 15:42:00

North Korea's nuclear weapons arsenal has grown since the country was labeled part of an "axis of evil" by President Bush three years ago, CIA Director Porter Goss testified Wednesday before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.

Officials debate spying history in Iranupdated: Sat Feb 12 2005 17:37:00

Dozens of CIA informants in Iran were killed or imprisoned in the early 1990s when the Iranian government discovered the U.S. intelligence operation, knowledgeable former U.S. officials told CNN on Saturday.

Committee reviewing intelligence abilities on Iranupdated: Sat Feb 05 2005 20:24:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee is taking a "proactive" review of U.S. intelligence capabilities in Iran, as the Bush administration's rhetorical pressure on the Islamist regime has increased in recent days, a spokeswoman for the committee chair said.

Was Ritter right? updated: Thu Oct 07 2004 17:48:00

At first, he was a thorn in Saddam Hussein's side, as evidenced by this exchange with an Iraqi captured on tape:

Former CIA chief blasts intelligence reform planupdated: Mon Aug 23 2004 13:59:00

Former CIA Director George Tenet on Monday blasted plans outlined by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, for a massive reorganization of U.S. intelligence agencies as a step toward driving "the security of the American people off a cliff."

Cheneys go after Kerryupdated: Wed Aug 11 2004 21:10:00

Vice President Dick Cheney made a pointed attack Wednesday on Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry, criticizing his attendance record on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Bush nominates Goss to head CIAupdated: Tue Aug 10 2004 08:12:00

President Bush on Tuesday nominated U.S. Rep. Porter Goss to lead the CIA, an intelligence agency that has been under fire and under the microscope since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

9/11 chairman: 'Complete transformation' neededupdated: Fri Jul 30 2004 11:51:00

The chairman of the 9/11 commission told a Senate hearing Friday that the panel's proposals to restructure the intelligence community are only part of what is needed to improve security.

CIA chief: New intelligence czar unnecessaryupdated: Sun Jul 18 2004 10:28:00

Acting CIA Director John McLaughlin said Sunday that a new Cabinet-level chief to oversee all U.S. intelligence agencies is unnecessary.

Errant former ambassadorupdated: Thu Jul 15 2004 16:24:00

Like Sherlock Holmes's dog that did not bark, the most remarkable aspect of last week's Senate Intelligence Committee report is what its Democratic members did not say.

CNN exclusive interview with John McLaughlinupdated: Wed Jul 14 2004 21:28:00

WASHINGTON -- Acting CIA Director John McLaughlin spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitzer Wednesday about the Senate Intelligence Committee's scathing report criticizing the agency, the threat of a possible al Qaeda attack against the United States this summer and the future of the CIA.

Acting CIA chief on offensiveupdated: Wed Jul 14 2004 18:37:00

The CIA's interim leader insisted Wednesday that his agency is worthy of America's trust despite the findings of a 511-page report that slams its spying abilities.

Can the CIA be fixed?updated: Mon Jul 12 2004 12:50:00

As coalition deaths in Iraq reached 1,000 last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee issued its much anticipated report on the intelligence that led the U.S. into war.

Pentagon's prewar intelligence role questionedupdated: Sun Jul 11 2004 20:36:00

The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Sunday that they want to know whether the Pentagon knowingly withheld information from the CIA and ran a secret intelligence-gathering operation in building a case for invading Iraq.

Bush defends stance on WMDsupdated: Sat Jul 10 2004 01:03:00

President Bush has defended his decision to go to war following the release of a report criticizing the intelligence used to justify invading Iraq.

Senate rejects ban on civilian interrogatorsupdated: Wed Jun 16 2004 15:38:00

The Senate rejected a proposal Wednesday to phase out interrogations by civilian contractors at Guantanamo Bay, in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

CIA sends heavily redacted WMD report to Senateupdated: Tue Jun 15 2004 16:28:00

Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee investigating prewar Iraq intelligence expressed displeasure Tuesday with CIA efforts to keep large parts of the committee's report secret.

Senators: CIA stalling on review of Iraq reportupdated: Sun Jun 13 2004 17:47:00

Senate Intelligence Committee members are accusing the CIA of hindering the release of a report that gives an unflattering assessment of pre-war intelligence on Iraq.

Tenet has enjoyed lifetime of public workupdated: Thu Jun 03 2004 13:27:00

George Tenet, who resigned Thursday as CIA director, almost didn't get the job he held for seven years.

Closing in on Tenetupdated: Mon May 24 2004 13:17:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee is getting closer to delivering a scathing report on the CIA's prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Unaccountable but messianic updated: Thu May 13 2004 13:31:00

Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas is an old-fashioned conservative and a loyal Republican who happens to be the current chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Taguba showupdated: Tue May 11 2004 06:47:00

The general who exposed the Abu Ghraib prison scandal appears for the first time before the Senate today in what promises to be a grim accounting of what went wrong.

CIA investigating deaths of prisonersupdated: Thu May 06 2004 14:00:00

An Iraqi prisoner who died in November while under interrogation by a CIA officer and contract translator arrived at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison with broken ribs and breathing difficulties after his arrest by Navy SEALs, U.S. officials said Thursday.

Gunning for Rummy?updated: Wed May 05 2004 07:46:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee gets briefed Wednesday morning on the Abu Ghraib scandal by a group of senior Pentagon officials. That briefing is behind closed doors.

Senators say they were kept in dark about abuseupdated: Tue May 04 2004 14:15:00

Senators from both sides of the political aisle complained Tuesday that Defense Department officials did not inform them about investigations into abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

Rice's testimony elicits mixed reactionupdated: Thu Apr 08 2004 17:09:00

National security adviser Condoleezza Rice got high marks for her poise and demeanor during her three hours of testimony before the 9/11 commission, but some observers, particularly Democrats, expressed disappointment with the substance of her remarks.

U.S. officials: 9/11-type attacks still possibleupdated: Tue Feb 24 2004 12:16:00

Directors of the top U.S. security agencies on Tuesday told the Senate Intelligence Committee that terrorist networks are damaged, but still capable of targeting American interests, including plots on the same scale as the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Committee: No politics in prewar intelligenceupdated: Wed Feb 04 2004 19:05:00

The Senate Intelligence Committee's review of U.S. intelligence has found no evidence that political pressure shaped reports on Iraq before last year's invasion, the committee's Republican chairman reported Thursday.

Kerry in the crosshairsupdated: Thu Jan 29 2004 05:16:00

Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie delivers another broadside against John Kerry today at the RNC winter meeting in Washington. We can summarize it in a single tried and true phrase: "soft on defense."

Fortune: Poverty in the White House, luck in the batter's box, why Dickens wrote books, and other matters. EXCEPTIONAL MENupdated: Mon May 06 1991 00:01:00

Speaking as FORTUNE's expert on luck, and as the only writer around here who ever wrote a 5,282-word article called ''Luck and Careers'' (November 16, 1981), we would say that George Bush and Joe D...

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