[Siena Dreaming]

destroying your own secret agent in the process is pretty stupid

I had read that one of the CIA people was becoming suspicious of the suicide bomber.

He probably figured it was now or never. Blow up 7 CIA agents now or risk decreased influence. If that was the case the bombing wasn't stupid, but smart.

[jveritas]

It is a major problem if we underestimate our terrorist enemies, for certain they are not stupid.

[milagro]

The bombing seems smart indeed. What seems incredible STUPID is that 7 intel people got together with this guy--without anyone bothering to do a basic security check, like patting him down. I just don't understand the "oh-well" mentality that allowed this man to take out so many operatives in one "boom".

To me, this tragic failure to "trust but verify" reeks of arrogance and stupidity--and that IS a "systemic" problem that the CIA damn well better address!