Warning Signs of the Fort Hood Killer Were Missed, Still Not Clear

Select from the following: the army a) did know the Fort Hood shooter was radicalized, b) didn't know he was radicalized or c) kind of knew, through a third agency. Alternatively, ignore the whole intelligence mess and read about fishing.

The impression one gets going through the intelligence coverage today is that no-one — the agencies included — know what happened. The agencies seem to be furiously leaking in their own favour, and the papers are lapping it up. Really, all that is revealed is that it's incredibly complex and entirely understandable that Hasan wasn't apprehended for sending a few emails. But that's not a story. An intelligence failure that led to the deaths of 13 soldiers however, is. So we're in the strange position of one piece of evidence being interpreted two different ways and definitive reports in either direction. It is notable that the New York Times does not run anything on the topic today. Maybe they're taking the sensible route and waiting until the dust settles instead of peering blindly through it.

Disclosure: I freelance write and report for newspapers that are included in this roundup. Where there is a direct conflict of interest I will make it clear.