The British Way

The Opinion Journal ^ | August 14, 2006 | DAVID B. RIVKIN JR. AND LEE A. CASEY

[libstripper]

Britain's successful pre-emption of an Islamicist plot to destroy up to 10 civilian airliners over the Atlantic Ocean proves that surveillance and other forms of information-gathering remain an essential weapon in prosecuting the war on terror. There was never any real doubt of this, of course. Al Qaeda's preferred targets are civilians, and civilians have a right to be protected from such deliberate and calculated attacks. Denying the terrorists funding, striking at their bases and training camps, holding accountable governments that promote terror and harbor terrorists, and building democracy around the world are all necessary measures in winning the war. None of these, however, can substitute for anticipating and thwarting terror operations as the British have done. This requires the development and exploitation of intelligence.

[libstripper]

This why we need to do complete intelligence gathering, including aggressive interrogation. The WOT is an intelligence war.

[theothercheek]

A pithy summation of the British Way v. The New York Times Way:

What Part Of “Loose Lips Sink Ships” Doesn’t The New York Times Understand?
http://thestilettoblog.com/2006/08/11/not-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer--what-part-of-loose-lips-sink-ships-doesnt-the-new-york-times-understand.aspx