One of the great intellectual failures of the American intelligence community, and especially the counterterrorism community, is to assume if someone hasn't attacked us, it's because he can't or because we've defeated him.

Summary

This quote highlights a significant shortcoming within the American intelligence and counterterrorism communities. It points out that these entities tend to make the wrong assumption that if someone hasn't launched an attack on the United States, it is either because they lack the capability to do so or because they have been already defeated. This perspective overlooks the possibility that these individuals or groups may be actively planning an attack or may possess the potential to harm the nation in the future. It serves as a reminder that underestimating potential threats can have severe consequences and calls for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Topics