The Iraq/al Qaeda Relationship: an Alternative Analysis

"Life and death decisions are based on the accuracy of intelligence. When intelligence is distorted or exaggerated to support the policies of an administration, it jeopardizes our nation's security and the lives of the men and women of our armed forces.".[I]ntelligence relating to the Iraq-al Qaeda relationship was manipulated by high ranking officials in the Department of Defense to support the Administration's decision to invade Iraq." These are just a few of the candid assertions made by U. S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) regarding the Department of Defense's assumption of a close, prolonged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda as advocated the Bush administration. This alternative intelligence assessment looks at the Iraq-al Qaeda evidence through a different lens. The Levin Report includes information on: · How high-ranking officials in the Department of Defense exaggerated intelligence regarding the alleged link between Iraq and al Qaeda in order to support the Bush Administration's policy goal of removing Saddam Hussein. · The CIA's failures in producing accurate intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and alleged links to terrorist organizations. · How U. S. intelligence activities went far beyond the normal practices of policy. U. S. SENATOR CARL LEVIN (D-MI) is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he has earned a reputation as a strong supporter of U. S. national defense. He was an early and consistent advocate of efforts to prepare the American military to combat terrorism. Senator Levin also serves as the ranking Democrat of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Governmental Affairs Committee.