April 7, 2005

Two Cheers

Michael Ledeen finds much to like about the Silberman-Robb Commission Report, including some refreshing candor about the "culture" of the intelligence community...

...the very best thing is that they recognize that intelligence is more an art than a science, and they therefore rightly insist that the success or failure of the intelligence community will ultimately depend on the quality of the people and how they are treated. I can’t remember the last time that was said in a public document, or even in the mounting pile of commentary on the report, and it’s really the most important thing. Silberman/Robb say it, say it often, and try to figure out how best to do it. They recognize that the culture of the community is rotten — the results speak for themselves, after all — and they suggest ways to retain talented people, ranging from attractive side benefits like travel, sabbaticals, and greater opportunities to mix with the outside intellectual world.

He did say "two cheers". Read it all to see where Ledeen parts company with the report.

Posted by dan at April 7, 2005 11:38 PM