9/11’s legacy of unintended consequences

ABSTRACT

Richard Betts once observed that reforms of U.S. intelligence usually produce unintended, negative consequences. The relatively large legislative and administrative reforms that followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States enhanced American counterterrorism capabilities substantially but confirmed Betts’ observation in new ways. This article discusses unintended negative consequences in five general arenas that developed in various ways over different periods of time, including undesirable effects on analysis, collection, organisational cultures, and the politicisation of intelligence. While some implications are clear, others are less certain and some are still unfolding.

KEYWORDS:

• 9/11
• intelligence
• counterterrorism
• reform
• unintended consequences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).