The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)—Responsibilities and Potential Congressional Concerns
"...Two recent incidents—the assassination by an Army Major of some 13 individuals at Fort Hood
Army Base on November 5, 2009 and the failed attempt to trigger a bomb on an airliner
approaching Detroit on December 25, 2009—led to increased concern about counterterrorism
capabilities domestically and internationally. An Executive Branch assessment of the December
bombing attempt concluded that, whereas information sharing had been adequate, analysts had
failed to “connect the dots” and achieve an understanding of an ongoing plot. Attention has
focused on the NCTC which is responsible for ensuring both the sharing of information and for
all-source analysis of terrorist issues.

Congressional hearings have been scheduled to review what was known in advance about the
individuals involved in these two incidents. Congress may choose to go further to review the
statutory responsibilities of NCTC as well as the record of the Center since it was established in
2004. This Report will be updated as more information becomes available."