Al-Qaida's Hands Tied in Pakistan

The CIA has hampered al-Qaida's free rein in the tribal region of western Pakistan. Iran appears to be nearing a decision on whether to build a nuclear warhead according to departing CIA chief, Michael Hayden on Thursday. In what was probably his final briefing for reporters, Hayden said, "the great danger was that the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a safe haven. My belief is that it is neither safe nor a haven."

President-elect Barack Obama has picked Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and a former Democratic congressman from California, to head the agency. There is a great deal of controversy over this appointment and many say he has no experience in this field and is not a good choice.

CIA Criticizes Ex-chief Over 9/11`

A CIA inquiry has accused the agency's ex-chief, George Tenet, and his aides of failing to prepare for al=Qaeda threats before the 9/11 attacks on the US. The CIA inspector general wrote that the agency and its officers did not discharge their responsibilities in a satisfactory manner. The document was completed in June 2005 and kept classified until now. Its release was ordered by Congress. Mr. Tenet, former CIA director, said the inspector general was flat wrong. But some former CIA employees have told the BBC that the criticisms are justified.