Small Wars Journal

Intelligence Head Says Next President Faces Volatile Era

Fri, 10/31/2008 - 6:36am
Intelligence Head Says Next President Faces Volatile Era - Joby Warrick, Washington Post

The next US president will govern in an era of increasing international instability, including a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in the near future, long-term prospects of regional conflicts and diminished US dominance across the globe, the nation's top intelligence officer said Thursday.

Competition for energy, water and food will drive conflicts between nations to a degree not seen in decades, and climate change and global economic upheaval will amplify the effects, Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, said in a speech here.

McConnell, who has given security briefings to both major-party presidential candidates, said the list of worries will soon drown out the euphoria as the next occupant of the White House settles into the job.

More at The Washington Post.