“The leak from the National Intelligence Estimate on terrorism that has gotten all the attention is the finding that the war in Iraq has escalated rather than retarded the terrorist movement. In one sense, this is not a startling observation because it is so self-evident.  In another sense, it is extraordinary because it represents a formal assessment of the intelligence community of the United States which stands in contrast to assertions from the Administration.

“It may be true that it is better to fight over there than here (Afghanistan, for instance), but it is also true that fighting over there can sometimes increase the risk of terrorist acts being inflicted here at home.  It seems increasingly clear that the longer we stay in Iraq, the greater this risk becomes.

“Thus, as our government continues its consideration not only of Iraq issues but the question of Iran, it is crucial to understand that military intervention, no matter how well-intended, can too easily be counter-productive.”