Former Counterterror Chief: CIA Weakened Under Obama, Leaks Very Damaging

Veteran CIA official Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr., who led all U.S. counterterrorism operations after 9/11, tells Newsmax that under President Barack Obama the agency has been forced to give up interrogation "capabilities" that it may need to protect American lives.

He also warns that al-Qaida still poses a "continuous threat" of a terrorist strike, and says the leaking of details regarding the new underwear bomber is "very damaging to national security."

 Rodriguez is the former director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, and oversaw the Counterterrorism Center, which collected vital intelligence from captured terrorists following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. His new book is "Hard Measures: How Aggressive CIA Actions After 9/11 Saved American Lives."

In an exclusive interview with Newsmax TV, Rodriguez discussed the leaking to the press of details about the new underwear bomber. The plot to use an underwear bomb was recently foiled by the CIA through the use of an operative posing as a would-be bomber, and some reports allege that the leak came from Obama's White House.

"I am very distraught by the leak," he says.

"People don't understand that this is very damaging to national security. It prevents us from doing similar things in the future because the methodology is compromised. I think it is just very unfortunate."

While al-Qaida has been crippled to some extent by American anti-terrorism efforts, "the foiling of this plot demonstrates that they are still around," Rodriguez notes.

"They are capable of striking at any moment. I don't think we can ever be so complacent. I don't think we should ever declare victory over this enemy.

"Al-Qaida is a worldwide organization. It's a continuous threat."

In his book, Rodriguez asserts that the CIA's interrogation program using enhanced techniques such as waterboarding was the most maligned and misunderstood mission in the agency's history, with Obama openly criticizing the program and, therefore, the CIA. Asked if he fears the CIA will be weakened, especially if Obama is re-elected, he responds: "I am very concerned that we have given up capabilities and methodologies that have worked in the past.

"I know they work and I'm concerned because in the future we may need these.

"So while it is the prerogative of the president to make that decision, I am concerned that in the future we may miss these and we may need them to protect American lives."

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