The speculation about John Brennan’s role in the events surrounding the September 11th attacks (9/11) has been discussed for years, and questions have arisen over the years concerning whether or not he was involved in granting the visas to the hijackers who carried out the attack. Brennan has consistently denied involvement, while the FBI and other intelligence agencies have not yet been able to conclusively connect him to the issuance of any visas. While the rumors remain just that – rumors – it is important to look at the larger context in which the visas were granted and the timeline of events in order to more clearly understand what may or may not have transpired.
Brennan was appointed as Deputy Executive Director of the CIA in March of 2001 and served in this role until 2005. In August 2001, a number of visas were issued to the hijackers, which raised suspicions that Brennan may have been involved in the decision. However, the visas had been issued several months prior to Brennan’s appointment, and it is unclear if he had any involvement in the visa process at that time.
There is evidence that Saudi Arabia—which was known for its close relationship with the US government at the time, had a role in granting visas to the hijackers. According to the report by the 9/11 Commission, the visas were granted with the approval of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, DC, and it is believed that the CIA, working in partnership with the Saudi government, was responsible for the granting of the visas. At the time, it was not unusual for the US government to work with other governments in order to facilitate the issuance of visas.
It is possible that Brennan, in his capacity as Deputy Executive Director of the CIA, may have had knowledge of the decision to grant the visas and could have been involved in some form of liaison between the US and Saudi governments. However, it has never been established that Brennan had any direct involvement in the granting of the visas. Furthermore, the 9/11 Commission Report failed to establish any connection between Brennan and the visas.
While it is impossible to know the truth about Brennan’s involvement in the issuing of the visas, understanding the context in which the visas were granted is essential. It is clear that the US government was working in partnership with Saudi Arabia during this time period to facilitate the granting of visas. Furthermore, anything Brennan may have known or been involved in concerning the visas would have been related to his role in the CIA during the time period in question.
The FBI’s Investigation
The FBI has been conducting an investigation into the granting of the visas since 2003 and has spoken with multiple sources in an attempt to determine if Brennan had any knowledge of the issuing of the visas. However, to date, the FBI has been unable to establish any direct link between Brennan and the visas.
The FBI’s investigation is ongoing and the agency has stated that if they are able to conclusively link Brennan to the granting of the visas, they will take the “necessary steps” to pursue a criminal investigation. At the same time, the FBI has also stated that it is important to note that the granting of the visas was just one part of the 9/11 attacks, and that the investigation is focused on other aspects of the attacks as well.
The Impact on Saudi Arabia
The granting of the visas has had far-reaching implications for Saudi Arabia. In the wake of the attacks, the country has been the subject of intense scrutiny from the international community, particularly due to the news that the hijackers had been granted visas from the Saudi Embassy. This has created tension between Saudi Arabia and the US and other countries, and has prompted more extensive vetting of visas issued by the country.
Furthermore, the US government has increased security measures at its embassies in Saudi Arabia, and there has been heightened awareness of the potential for terrorist activity within the country. Additionally, the US government has increased its intelligence gathering efforts in Saudi Arabia to better identify and thwart any potential terrorist threats.
The granting of the visas has also had a significant impact on the Saudi Arabian economy. The country is highly dependent on foreign investment and the 9/11 attacks resulted in a decrease in global confidence in the country’s economic and political stability. This has had a negative effect on the economy, and the country has had to take significant steps to restore investor confidence.
Potential Implications for John Brennan
The potential implications for Brennan are significant. If the FBI’s investigation is able to conclusively connect him to the granting of the visas, he could face serious legal ramifications. Furthermore, his reputation and legacy as former CIA Director would be tarnished, as would his standing within the intelligence community and the public at large.
Additionally, if the FBI’s investigation is able to establish Brennan’s direct involvement in the granting of the visas, it could have far-reaching political implications. Given the highly charged political climate in the US, any potential connection between Brennan and the 9/11 attacks would be highly controversial and could further exacerbate existing tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
The speculation surrounding Brennan’s role in the granting of the visas remains just that – speculation. However, it is important to understand the history and context of the granting of the visas in order to evaluate the potential role Brennan may have had in the process and the potential implications for him and Saudi Arabia. While it is impossible to know the truth of what transpired, the FBI’s investigation is ongoing, and it is possible that more information will come to light in the future.