Former U.S. Congressman and Pentagon official Curt Weldon is well-known for participating in debates concerning intelligence and military operations while he was in office. A program named Able Danger was one subject that frequently came up during these discussions.

The US military's Able Danger program was centered on obtaining and evaluating intelligence in order to stop terrorist attacks. About 20 important personnel from Tampa, Florida-based Special Forces units were involved. Because of the relatively small number of individuals directly involved in this program, information sharing was able to proceed more efficiently.

Imagine Able Danger as a close-knit team inside a broader military network, a collection of committed professionals who collaborate closely like the pieces of a puzzle that fit together flawlessly. Each member had specialized duties and abilities that enhanced those of their peers, forming a unified team that could handle challenging national security issues.

The program's structure and dependence on a small, committed group rather than a larger, less coordinated effort are highlighted by Weldon's remarks regarding Able Danger. This emphasis on accuracy and efficiency is similar to how a talented athlete or surgeon succeeds by careful planning and execution as opposed to brute force.

Weldon's comments are significant because of the way they were used in discussions concerning intelligence sharing and counterterrorism initiatives after 9/11. His remarks capture the larger debate about whether, given the information at the time from multiple sources, including Able Danger, more could have been done to stop the tragic events.