Missing the Plot? Intelligence and Discourse Failure.

The article discusses the failure of the intelligence community and discourse analysis, as revealed by a recent U.S. Congressional inquiry. It is stated that the intelligence community failed to act accordingly to the terrorist threat leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. and the community's inability to determine the scope of Iraqi weapon's of mass destruction before the invasion of the country by the U.S. The Western intelligence agencies treated the growing incidence of militant Islamist violence and suicide bombings as unrelated events. As stated, it reflects a breakdown of intelligence and an atmosphere of complacent at work in the West. There was also a discourse failure which had practical effects that crucially influenced decision-making.