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2013-12-16 Africa North

CIA chaos and vacilation blamed for Benghazi response

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Posted by Frozen Al 2013-12-16 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 Some CIA security contractors disagreed with their bosses and wanted to move more quickly.

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, who heads a House intelligence subcommittee that interviewed the employees, said he believes this disagreement was the source of allegations that the CIA ordered security personnel to "stand down" and not help the people inside the diplomatic mission, and perhaps was the source of accusations the administration failed to answer a call from the CIA security team for combat aircraft.

"The team leader knew he was on his own," said Westmoreland, R-Ga.

The above is a bit contradictory. If the "team leader knew he was on his own"..... what kept him from taking immediate action ?

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-16 03:17|| 2013-12-16 03:17|| Front Page Top

#2 I can think of a few things, but it'd probably not be helpful for one's stress levels.

Posted by Pappy 2013-12-16 10:09|| 2013-12-16 10:09|| Front Page Top

#3 administration failed to answer a call from the CIA security team for combat aircraft.

Failing to answer.... is an answer.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-16 10:13|| 2013-12-16 10:13|| Front Page Top

#4 administration failed to answer a call from the CIA security team for combat aircraft.

There was a time when "Let it ring..." was about freedom and liberty.

Posted by Skidmark 2013-12-16 10:57|| 2013-12-16 10:57|| Front Page Top

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-16 10:59|| 2013-12-16 10:59|| Front Page Top

#6 If the "team leader knew he was on his own"..... what kept him from taking immediate action ?

Okay, I've calmed down. Let's run down the possibles:

1. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative or was convinced to take initiative after not receiving a response from his chain of command, or receiving a "stand down" order, expecting no support.

2. The team leader at the Benghazi annex contacted his chain of command, which led up to Langley. Langley contacted its Director. The Director did not respond, or the Director contacted National Command Authority and failed to receive authorization. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative, expecting later or no support.

3. The team leader at the Benghazi annex contacted his chain of command, which led up to Langley. Langley contacted its Director and the State Department. Either one or both failed to respond, or declined to provide authorization, or did not relay up to National Command Authority. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative, expecting later or no support.

4. The team leader at the Benghazi annex contacted his chain of command, which led up to Langley. Langley or the Director contacted the White House National Security Council (NSC) for authorization. The NSC, essentially not a functioning entity under this administration, did not provide authorization. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative.

5. The team leader at the Benghazi annex contacted his chain of command, which led up to Langley. Langley contacted its Director, the State Department, and the White House. Due to bureaucratic inertia, or indecision, or misrepresentation of the situation by State or Langley, no authorization was given by National Command Authority. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative , expecting later or no support.

6. The team leader at the Benghazi annex contacted his chain of command, which led up to Langley. Langley contacted its Director, the State Department, and the White House. The Benghazi consulate also contacted its State Department chain of command. Due to bureaucratic inertia, or indecision, or misrepresentation of the situation by State or Langley, or a deliberate decision by National Command Authority, no response was ordered. The team leader at the Benghazi annex took initiative , expecting no support.

Posted by Pappy 2013-12-16 17:12|| 2013-12-16 17:12|| Front Page Top

#7 wait...where did the "offensive internet video" fit in?

Posted by Frank G 2013-12-16 18:08|| 2013-12-16 18:08|| Front Page Top

#8 Ref #6.

Well we've heard from a rather disappointed and disgusted chargé d' affaires and a rather frank Regional Security Officer (RSO). Neither of these gentlemen painted a very supportive picture for the administration. I suspect the in-country answer man would be the Chief of Station and/or the Chief of Mission.

Any one or a combination of your 6 possible scenarios could be possible. Unfortunately, I am beginning to get a sense that few in Washington really doesn't want to know the truth. A review of the cable traffic might be most revealing.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-12-16 19:18|| 2013-12-16 19:18|| Front Page Top

#9 Snowden to the white courtesy phone, please. We have a question for you.

Posted by gorb 2013-12-16 22:43|| 2013-12-16 22:43|| Front Page Top

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