Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, DOD’s new intelligence chief, has now been given a new role as director of defense intelligence within the Office of National Intelligence. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and new National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell signed a memorandum of agreement establishing the new position. Clapper said, “The objective here is to facilitate staff interaction and promote synchronization.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
