Eliza Manningham-Buller
The Guardian
What holds, and what fails, under pressure, standards and accountability.
Eliza Manningham-Buller is the former head of MI5, known for her focus on security and counterterrorism. This interview reveals her commitment to safeguarding the nation while navigating complex political landscapes and operational challenges.
“Al-Qaeda is not a disciplined organization with a clear structure. There will be those in al Qaeda or associated with its franchises who are tired and disenchanted, for whom the violence has become sterile and sickening. Some thwarted by lack of success will be looking for a way out. There are already those prepared to help the West.”
“Because actually before I retired, there was, I think, there were very few drone strikes, and they've obviously increased very considerably in the last few years. So my view of them is very much, as it were, as a reader of the media. I do think there are difficulties.”
“When the security service was focused on Irish related terrorism, it became used to being asked for suggestions for new legislation. There have been times when the service has argued strongly for legislation, for example, for that governing its functions and its powers, but it has rarely argued for substantial counter terrorist powers bel…”
“You're absolutely right, with Northern Ireland, we knew what the agenda was, and it was the question of whether you could move any way towards it. Whereas, of course, the declared aims of Al Qaeda are some of them simply never going to be achieved, and we would have strong objections to that sort of oppressive regime that they support.”
The Rest Is Politics: Leading — 67. A Tale of Two Spies: The former heads of MI5 and MI6 on the Iraq War, double agents, and the IRA
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