Key lawmakers tackle Islamic extremism in the military
In reviewing Fort Hood shootings, Senate committee recommends policy changes at Defense.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee leaders on Wednesday asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates to revise department policies to address Islamic extremism.
The committee is investigating the Nov. 5, 2009, shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, that killed 13 and injured dozens more. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a psychiatrist who apparently adopted radical Islamist views, some of which were reportedly known by his peers, has been charged with the killings.
"We are committed to completing a comprehensive fact-finding investigation concerning the U.S. government's failure to identify Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan as a possible threat and to take action that may have prevented the attacks," Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, wrote in a letter to Gates. Lieberman is chairman of the committee and Collins is the ranking member.
"Even at this stage of our investigation, however, it has become apparent to us that DoD's approach to the threat of service members who adopt a violent Islamist extremist ideology needs to be revised," the lawmakers wrote.
Specifically, the lawmakers want the department to:
- Examine, and revise where necessary, policies and procedures to ensure extremists can be identified and actions taken against them before future attacks occur.
- Increase training of Defense personnel so they can more readily recognize and respond to warning signs and understand how terrorists distort Islamic teachings to promote violence.
- Revise policies to make it clear to service members that they have an obligation to report signs of violent Islamist extremist views. Current policies do not require such reporting, the letter stated.
In November, Gates ordered an independent review of all department programs, policies and procedures that might have had a bearing on the shootings. Gates reportedly was briefed this week on the results of that review, conducted by former Army Secretary Togo West and retired Navy Adm. Vern Clark.
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington said the findings could be made public on Friday.