It is amazing that this hasn't been mentioned more along with the port deal. After all, our "good allies" tipped Bin Laden to a possible strike, when Clark treasonously mentioned we were concerned about them being chummy.
The CIA denies giving Clark 'permission' to contact the UAE sheiks about that country's chummy relationship with Usama bin Ladin.
I firmly believe Clark simply contacted the UAE sheiks on his own because, by then, Clark arrogantly considered himself to be smarter and shrewder than everyone else.
If the CIA had any balls, they would have immediately fired or demoted Richard Clark for ruining the US's best chance ever to kill the alQaeda leader.
But no, they left Clark continue his high powered position in the Clinton administration, which ultimately came back to haunt the Bush Administration due to Clark's major incompetence and arrogance in the WOT.