Anthrax Probe Finds US ‘Poorly Prepared’

But many doctors say anthrax risks too low to justify vaccine

(NEWSER) - If you thought the HPV vaccine debate was lively (or, a couple of years ago, N1H1 ), just imagine what is going to happen with anthrax. The government is debating whether children should be inoculated against anthrax, to protect against possible bioterrorism, reports the Washington Post . “At the end of the day, do we want to wait for an attack and give it to millions and millions of children and collect data at that time?” said the doctor leading the National Biodefense Science Board, which will vote Friday on recommendations about vaccinations. More»

Some fear it will deter Pakistanis from getting kids vaccinated

(NEWSER) - The CIA is experiencing quite the backlash over the fake vaccination program they used to try to get DNA from Osama bin Laden’s children. International health advocates are furious, because they believe the operation will foster paranoia about vaccination programs, particularly in already hard-to-vaccinate places like Pakistan, Politico reports. “Anything that compromises the perception and impartiality of medical personnel undermines the activities of medical personnel everywhere,” complains one Red Cross spokesman. More»

Fighting over defunct Bush-era programs only hurt CIA, chief says

(NEWSER) - It's time for the toxic air of recriminations and mistrust in Washington about the CIA’s post-9/11 intelligence programs to blow over, Leon Panetta writes today in the Washington Post. “I've become increasingly concerned that the focus on the past, especially in Congress, threatens to distract the CIA from its crucial core missions,” the agency chief says. “My agency continues to pay a price for enduring disputes over policies that no longer exist.” More»

Panel Republicans decry inquiry as partisan politics

(NEWSER) - The House Intelligence Committee will investigate whether the CIA lied to Congress and violated the National Security Act, the Hill reports. The probe stems from claims by new CIA chief Leon Panetta and Rep. Nancy Pelosi that the agency regularly misled Congress. More»

(NEWSER) - Not only was the CIA's “targeted killing” program an “open secret,” but there's also “less to it than meets the eye,” Robert Baer writes for Time. The former intelligence officer notes that the Washington Post broke the story in 2001, and a New York Times reporter's book gave the name of the project, "Box Top." “So why all the fuss?” Baer wonders, given that no killings took place and a team was never even assembled. “Very likely because of that word assassination.” More»