June 15, 2005 in Printer friendly version   E-Mail this article   Subscribe to the Article Digest

JINSA Responds to Unfair Criticism of Rep. Weldon’s Book
CIA Excoriated by Congressman for Incompetence Over Iranian Terror Threat to U.S.

“It is no surprise that the CIA has attacked Congressman Curt Weldon’s new book on Iran and the CIA, and it is no surprise that the mainstream press has run with the criticism,” according to Tom Neumann, executive director of JINSA. The book, Countdown to Terror: The Top Secret Information that Could Prevent the Next Terrorist Attack on the United States...And How the CIA Has Ignored It, “forces the intelligence services and the media to confront a reality that they traditionally like to deny - namely that Iran poses a threat of such magnitude that it could be a casus belli. Although his critics suggest that the Congressman’s charges are themselves a call to arms, they are not. They are instead a call to awaken a lethargic elite to what might await us if we continue to underestimate the danger.”

Instead of tackling the main message, critics have chosen to attack the sources the Congressman used, said Neumann. “Having been engaged in intelligence gathering during another stage of my life, I know that even some dubious sources of information are a gateway to new facts - if the fact finder is willing to take the time to listen and separate the wheat from the chaff.

“Iran is the greatest current threat to peace and stability. Those who doubt that the threat can become existential have chosen politics over reality.

“We are lucky to have leaders like Curt Weldon who have always had the courage and foresight to tackle the uncomfortable issues.”

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The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is an independent, non-partisan educational organization established in 1976 to educate the public on national and international security issues, including the importance of an effective U.S. defense capability and the key role of strategic allies, including Israel, to promote democratic values in the Middle East.

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 515 Washington, DC. 20036 Tel: (202) 667-3900 Fax: (202) 667-0601 Email: info@jinsa.org www.jinsa.org