U.S. diplomatic facilities may be at risk because of security problems, GAO report says

Washington Post ^ | Jun 27, 2014 | Josh Hicks

[Second Amendment First]

U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad may be at risk because of problems with their security standards and practices, according to a report this week from federal auditors.

The Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan investigative wing of Congress, found inconsistency in the way the State Department prepares for evolving threats and the potential dangers to temporary facilities that operate longer than anticipated.

The report sheds additional light on the failures that led to a 2012 assault on a temporary diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya that killed four Americans, including U.S. ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. It could also provide more ammunition for Republicans to attack former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is considering a possible 2016 presidential run.

[Second Amendment First]

The GAO determined that the security standards for certain types of overseas facilities are lacking or unclear, and that updating guidelines has taken more than eight years in some cases.

The report also cited problems with the waivers for missions that cannot meet security standards. It said that “neither posts nor headquarters systematically tracks the waivers and exceptions” and that “State has no process to re-evaluate waivers and exceptions when the threat or risk changes.”

[doc1019]

No kidding. Just ask the diplomatic crew in Benghazi ... no, wait, you can’t ... they are all dead. Thank you Obama.

[norwaypinesavage]

Finally, Hillary’s legacy!