I don't think bulk data collection was an enormous factor here, because generally, that deals with overseas calls to the United States. But what bulk data collection did was make the process more efficient. So there were no silver bullets there.
Michael LeiterWe're not going to have a perfect batting average and it's important that Americans understand that.
Michael LeiterYou have the intelligence front and the engagement front. On the intelligence front, the French are better than many of their European counterparts. But they are really challenged in two specific ways.
Michael LeiterWhen you do have really tapped out resources that cover so many investigations, it can help you move through and discard some faster.
Michael LeiterYou've got a huge American population, you've got a small, small, small subset that is radicalized, and you have an even smaller subset that actually takes action. And you can't cover everyone who has some contact, someone bad. What you need is offense overseas, defense at home with intelligence and law enforcement, and really deep engagement with these communities.
Michael Leiter