Former CIA director concerned over Trump's 'lack of intelligence'

Photo by Juidin Bernarrrd

Following the reports of the alleged email hacks that rattled the presidential campaign, Leon Panetta, Former Director of the CIA and Former Secretary of Defense has said he is "concerned" by president-elect Donald Trump's dismissal of the claims.
"I am concerned generally with his view with regards to intelligence and the importance of intelligence," he said on the sidelines of the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai on Wednesday.
When it comes to Russia and Russia's interference in the latest election campaign, Panetta said 17 intelligence agencies agreed that Russia was involved in that effort.
"I think the president would do well to say 'we ought to find out what Russia's role was, we ought to investigate it and we ought to make sure that it never happens again'."
Speaking alongside former British Prime Minister David Cameron Panetta said he finds it hard to comprehend Trump's remarks that he doesn't need daily intelligence briefings.
In reference to Trump's blatant lack of interest for intelligence-focused support, Panetta simply said: "I've never seen it," to which Cameron replied, "it won't last".
Panetta then added: "It can't last."
With cyber-attacks representing a potential battleground in future, Panetta said how the US deals with it will shape how it deals with its future - and intelligence has a big part to play in that.
Good leaders will dilute instability in region
Wednesday's session saw Panetta and Cameron also discuss the importance of strong global leadership in dispelling terrorism.
To tackle the ongoing instability in the region and the world, Cameron said it is the leaders that will help provide some degree of stability.
"I believe we can win the battle against extremist violence. We are dealing with an ideological struggle in one of biggest religions so we need governments that can represent all people in all countries. There needs to be no bias in governments," he said.
And Panetta agreed.
"Leaders cannot be deterred today. We cannot run and hide. In order to deal with situation in the Arab world we need to implement changes and reforms to diversify economies."
And he said the UAE is an example of what "we need for the future" due to its strong diversification ethics.
"Countries deal with problems through leadership or crisis, and if leadership will take risks we can avoid crisis. If there is no leadership we will be governed by crisis. There is no other option than to exercise the right leadership."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai