Warrantless Surveillance: Lawful, Effective and Necessary

[Commentary] The recent report of inspectors general on the President's Surveillance Program operated by the National Security Agency has led some to make hasty and deeply flawed judgments about the value and legality of what was a critical part of protecting America from further attack after Sept. 11. The program was crucial in addressing one of the most stinging criticisms of the 9/11 commission — the need to reduce the gap between foreign intelligence and domestic security. This was an especially difficult task, which helps explain both the program's importance and its sensitivity. The program was lawful, effective and necessary. The reflexive judgments to the contrary seem hasty at best. [Michael Hayden was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2006 to 2009 and the director of the National Security Agency from 1999 to 2005.]