The CIA has been dealing with Islamic terrorism since the late 1970s, long before the September 11 attacks.
Cofer BlackYet, most Americans only know about the growing threat of Islamic terrorism once the headlines hit every source of media. Prior to the attack, the CIA monitored the developing extremist activities, taking no preemptive action while developing a plan.
Leading up to 9/11
1986- Counterterrorist Center, a division of the CIA's operation service.
1996- Bin Laden Issue Station - the CIA saw Bin Laden as a developing organizer of terrorist activity. Defector Al-Fadl gave a more in-depth idea of Bin Laden's role in Al Qaeda.
1999-September 4, 2001 - Cofer Black, coordinator of Counter-terrorism, appointed by President Bush, creates plan to deal with Al Qaeda. In the following years, reconnaissance drones scouted Bin Laden. On September 4, 2001, the CIA was authorized to equip drones with weapons.
Leading up to 9/11
1986- Counterterrorist Center, a division of the CIA's operation service.
1996- Bin Laden Issue Station - the CIA saw Bin Laden as a developing organizer of terrorist activity. Defector Al-Fadl gave a more in-depth idea of Bin Laden's role in Al Qaeda.
1999-September 4, 2001 - Cofer Black, coordinator of Counter-terrorism, appointed by President Bush, creates plan to deal with Al Qaeda. In the following years, reconnaissance drones scouted Bin Laden. On September 4, 2001, the CIA was authorized to equip drones with weapons.
The Retaliation
Immediately after the events of 9/11, Bush put tremendous pressure on the CIA to uncover the culprits of the attack and gather intelligence on the locations of Al Qaeda. On September 15, 2001, Bush was presented, by the CIA, a document of operations, past, present and future. Named the Worldwide Attack Matrix, the list of covert counter-terrorism activities outline the approach to Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda. Next, came Bush's invasion of Iraq, as well as hundreds of other CIA operations (Central Intelligence Agency 1).
Immediately after the events of 9/11, Bush put tremendous pressure on the CIA to uncover the culprits of the attack and gather intelligence on the locations of Al Qaeda. On September 15, 2001, Bush was presented, by the CIA, a document of operations, past, present and future. Named the Worldwide Attack Matrix, the list of covert counter-terrorism activities outline the approach to Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda. Next, came Bush's invasion of Iraq, as well as hundreds of other CIA operations (Central Intelligence Agency 1).
CIA Policy vs. Terrorism
The CIA began to adopt tactics and more authority, especially after the passing of the Patriot Act (2001). Under Title IX, the CIA was granted "improved intelligence."
Extraordinary rendition - "torture by proxy." Without the permission of any authority, the CIA has transferred numerous persons of interests to third party states, where they are held for detention (black sites) and possibly, torture. This extrajudicial technique has come under fire for its violations of rights and its treatment of "ghost detainees."
Abu Omar Case - the most well-documented example of extraordinary rendition: the abduction of Abu Omar by the CIA for his connections to Islamist organizations, without evidence (Abu Omar 1).
The CIA began to adopt tactics and more authority, especially after the passing of the Patriot Act (2001). Under Title IX, the CIA was granted "improved intelligence."
Extraordinary rendition - "torture by proxy." Without the permission of any authority, the CIA has transferred numerous persons of interests to third party states, where they are held for detention (black sites) and possibly, torture. This extrajudicial technique has come under fire for its violations of rights and its treatment of "ghost detainees."
Abu Omar Case - the most well-documented example of extraordinary rendition: the abduction of Abu Omar by the CIA for his connections to Islamist organizations, without evidence (Abu Omar 1).
Searching for Bin Laden
The proclaimed "largest manhunt in history" was conducted by the CIA. Through means of information extraction, whether through torture or other connections, intelligence officers managed to get leads from Guantanamo Bay detainees, whom revealed the whereabouts of Bin Laden's couriers. The CIA eventually zeroed in on Bin Laden's compound in Abbottābad Pakistan, using satellite imagery and field reports, and watched, for numerous months. Red teaming, the process of validating the intelligence gathered, produced "very likely" results of Bin Laden's presence.
After notifying the Joint Special Operations Command, commander McRaven of the JSOC met with Obama and the security council, before deciding that the CIA would assign a special forces group to raid the compound, without clearance from the government of Pakistan (Death of Osama bin Laden 1).
The proclaimed "largest manhunt in history" was conducted by the CIA. Through means of information extraction, whether through torture or other connections, intelligence officers managed to get leads from Guantanamo Bay detainees, whom revealed the whereabouts of Bin Laden's couriers. The CIA eventually zeroed in on Bin Laden's compound in Abbottābad Pakistan, using satellite imagery and field reports, and watched, for numerous months. Red teaming, the process of validating the intelligence gathered, produced "very likely" results of Bin Laden's presence.
After notifying the Joint Special Operations Command, commander McRaven of the JSOC met with Obama and the security council, before deciding that the CIA would assign a special forces group to raid the compound, without clearance from the government of Pakistan (Death of Osama bin Laden 1).