Congress finally releases missing 9/11 report pages
On Friday, Congress released 28 pages of previously classified information from the 9/11 report detailing the Saudi Arabian government's potential ties to the terrorist attacks. While Saudi officials have long called for the pages' release in the hopes of dispelling any incriminating rumors of involvement, the pages from the Joint Congressional Inquiry in 2002 list numerous possible links between Saudi nationals and al Qaeda operatives.
One paragraph suggests that at least two individuals "in contact with" or assisting 9/11 hijackers were "alleged to be Saudi intelligence officers." Another notes a concerning "gap in U.S. intelligence coverage" on Saudi Arabia, which was revealed after "neither CIA nor FBI witnesses were able to identify definitively the extent of Saudi support for terrorist activity globally or within the United States and the extent to which such support, if it exists, is knowing or inadvertent in nature," the report says. That gap — coupled with the wide-ranging, if tentative, evidence provided in the report — ultimately leaves the question of Saudi involvement largely unanswered.
The document was previously marked as classified to protect intelligence sources and also to avoid risking diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. The House Intelligence Committee agreed only recently to release the report, after years of urging by lawmakers and family members of the Sept. 11 victims.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there’s an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of distrust in science
In the Spotlight Science and politics do not seem to mix
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published