海角大神

鈥� A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

An independent panel investigating the 9/11 attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi concluded that the State Department suffered 鈥渟ystemic failures鈥� in providing adequate security.

The failures listed in a report released last night include relying too heavily on poorly trained local militias for security; 鈥渓eadership and management鈥� deficiencies in coordination of two important State Department bureaus; and an 鈥渦nder resourced鈥� embassy lacking adequate security equipment, such as security cameras and outer perimeter walls high enough to protect the compound.

鈥淪ystemic failures and leadership and management deficiencies at senior levels within two bureaus of the State Department 鈥� resulted in a Special Mission security posture that was inadequate for Benghazi and grossly inadequate to deal with the attack that took place,鈥� according to the report. The panel, known as an Accountability Review Board, was made up of five people appointed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, including Adm. Mike Mullen and longtime US diplomat Thomas Pickering.

The Benghazi attack, which fell on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. It highlighted the depth of lawlessness still plaguing the country in the aftermath of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's ousting.聽

鈥淭he attack on the US consulate was just the latest in a series of incidents,鈥� Mohamed Abu Janah, a local radio executive and a protest organizer, told 海角大神 in September.

The month before the attack, in a piece titled 鈥淲orrying signs of lawlessness in Libya,鈥� The Monitor鈥檚 Dan Murphy noted that some of the militias that fought to oust Qaddafi had taken on gang-like qualities. 鈥淕enerally untouchable, they continue to swagger through Libya's towns and cities, demanding special treatment as a reward for their role last year. Many of them are now technically integrated into the security services, but continue to operate with impunity,鈥� Mr. Murphy wrote.

He warned that 鈥淸T]he steady drumbeat of problems is worrying. If it isn't dealt with, 'rat-a-tat-tat' can transform into 'boom.' "

According to The New York Times, these signs of insecurity were, in part, ignored in planning security for the US Mission in Libya.

The Los Angeles Times notes that the report is 鈥渓ikely to represent the government鈥檚 lasting judgment on the attacks.鈥� According to the document, the attack was:

The Obama administration's initial response to the attacks and United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice鈥檚 inconsistent statements describing the events of the night garnered anger from lawmakers in the weeks leading up to the presidential election.

鈥淭he report affirmed there were no protests of an anti-Islamic video before the attack, contrary to what Ms. Rice had said on several Sunday talk shows days after the attack,鈥� notes the Times. This confirmation could reignite arguments that the White House 鈥減oliticized鈥� Ambassador Steven鈥檚 death and the embassy attack.

The Monitor reports that, 鈥淎t issue were her statements over what had precipitated the attack on the US mission in Benghazi.鈥�

The legacy of Secretary of State Clinton could also be tarnished by last night鈥檚 panel report.

"This is a mark against Secretary Clinton. While she was not singled out, the report highlighted the lack of leadership and organization on security issues, and those fall into her bailiwick," Jon Alterman, head of the聽Middle East聽program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Reuters.

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal goes a step further, outlining reasons why Clinton, who is currently recovering from a concussion after fainting earlier this month, should testify on the Benghazi matter.

According to Reuters, Clinton 鈥渟aid in a letter accompanying the review that she would adopt all of its recommendations.鈥� And the New York Times reports she is already taking steps to rectify problems identified in the report, including asking for a transfer of $1.3 billion from Congress.