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Serious questions loom over Benghazi attack

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    Panel discuss what information we have

  • Duration 6:51
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We started talking -- from the compound.

Would you could have been.

New information that the CIA station chief in Libya told Washington.

Within 24 hours of the attack that it was carried out by militants so why did the White House continue to lie.

Retired US army lieutenant colonel Tony -- it -- in New York City along with former CIA officer Gary Burton Sen.

And former CIA operative Mike Baker joins us from Boston good evening gentlemen thank you all for being with us this evening.

All right I ask a very general question do we even know officially how the ambassador died I'll start with you -- I have.

Heard no final definitive report because they've been very slow you had the woman the mother of one of those that -- and John Smith's mother she there everybody -- in the same problem run around no one can answer questions directly and there's no clear answer.

And you know what's interesting and I'll just add this we spoke with the pat -- today was -- she still doesn't know our son died but.

Let me go to you Kerry.

And today and good information the only stories we've heard and it's not confirmed was he died of smoke inhalation -- right hand might have you heard anything official.

Unofficially.

-- -- No not not -- official there's been several different versions out there but the only official line -- -- as Gary says smoke inhalation.

-- which is so sad but look guys -- you just heard general Mac and Ernie and he was talking about an Intel report.

Caught in a crisis that goes out from the field and pretty much goes everywhere what's he talking about Tony.

-- -- -- -- critic which actually is a critical incident report which actually is done rapidly on the spot.

That goes out to everybody in the -- community intelligence and national security have been real time it tells them that essentially it's like a -- going up.

It it tells -- the something critical going on you have to take action immediately.

And specifically and I was a chief of station three different -- -- -- I've done this before.

That report a -- -- critic going back you -- to Washington DC.

Goes to CIA headquarters -- also goes to the situation.

Room in the White House he goes to the bureau of intelligence and research in the State Department.

For the military.

Nolan is telling us as we all assume that they had this information immediately we knew they had they did they would -- -- people assume that it is still -- back to CIA it's not.

When you're chief of station and you're in a crisis you fire up to the entire community -- and are all -- immediately and Mike Baker.

You know not insane for the for the White House the for the White House to -- chosen narrative that they did.

It really -- defies it and you don't believe him and reality because as Estonian and Gary pointing out.

That Intel hits the White House immediately this is this is -- high threat operating environment it's a critical situation that's unfolding.

There -- screaming at Langley.

For information so they get this information and quite frankly what I think they did was they dismissed that they set it aside because it didn't fit the narrative that I want.

And at the end of today.

I mean you guys are saying this on the show but I'm hearing a lot of military people saying are you can -- They they are look -- I've been called and put the folks who never talked to me let me make a couple things nuclear I've -- talked to folks just in the video that -- he needs to get out that video is -- congress to narrow down.

Got there are videos damning the next thing I talk to folks who tell me that they elected to classified meant as -- could have had an FBI team on the ground in less than 24 hours.

Up and ready to good effect -- you are on the ground aren't at the USS Cole I should say with a no actually three.

East Africa in 26 hours we were on your health and secured the ground there but another piece of this that's not being discussed.

And the president is a master trying to deflect and change the subject is is that.

They could have pursue at least put a team on the ground to help they must've been screaming for help those people out -- thing -- and -- and there was an option there what options for them to help and intervene they could've asked for -- C 130 talent.

Which is a larger crippled machine guns computerized one pass would have -- -- crowd back.

And then they would have then they could've asked for -- -- for quick reaction force but there's no discussion.

Well yeah why would we sacrifice that I can why should western and the cavalry shows up before the FBI showed up.

But this with this could have been in the military could -- sent a tier one team there this fight went on for over -- -- right now I heard Mike yeah.

Yeah outlook I think -- re disappointed that -- been really infuriating the floor for me I know a lot of people.

Is is the idea of deflection and I think the White House has been actually very successful.

And kind of refocusing this so now look what are we doing what we're discussing what was the intelligence just before just after this instead -- -- ever met it.

-- year ago a year ago they failed.

To do the proper thing they failed to do a proper risk assessment of -- high threat operating environment and devote the resources to secure the facility they failed have a crisis management plan.

That allowed for what happens in the situation where you gotta go well -- us and suddenly you need to counter assault team in there and rapid response.

They've failed to do all the basics that they should have done.

I a year ago when they decided I mean look at this they had an annex for crying out loud and a war zone you've got an -- what does that mean that means you've got people moving back and forth between these various locations and he kind of got my my security problem there with a mile away -- -- now.

Got it all right I can you wish big guys the is on the -- You wouldn't you can't even ask for diplomatic entry.

They problem right we're thinking this through should we -- or not we would be violating Libyan airspace so what for Libyan airspace don't want to save your people government would have supported -- I'm sure the other thing it very clear on this.

When we invaded Grenada in 83 it took six are forced to plan the cycle to invade a country with -- had people there and he was sitting right off the coast of marine amphibious unit.

And there and thirty minutes or -- You know what I am comforted guys in the hearing this because I was so frightened.

That we're so derelict in our duties at the NRA and we're -- how does the intelligence community feel that they got not just -- out of the bus they got driven over back and forth a few times probably not -- good bonuses.

Yeah into the White House -- back.

One of the problems here is Intel community becomes that the scapegoat always if we get it right they take credit if we if we get it right and they don't like it they they -- under the bus and that's what you've seen here that's the past six weeks -- Last word on this is we should have helped our people.

-- I got to yeah I would did did.

Yadier adult community is used to being kicked in the backside constellation of very convenient -- escape -- so that's not a surprise.

But not the part that has to be focused on is -- what a logistical administrative screw up this was from the very beginning and not allow for this deflection.

All right.

I'm lieutenant colonel -- -- -- -- -- CIA operatives who really know what's going on thanks so much for being with us this evening really good avenue.

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