Marking Time
Discussion Questions
When did the planning for the September 11th attacks begin?
When did the four team leaders of the 9/11 attacks enter the United States?
How long to the operation of 9/11 take from the “authority to proceed” to completion?
On the other hand, how long was the effective response time of the United States?
Why do many military leaders believe that terrorist groups are “inside our decision
cycle”?
Why would the conflict between terrorists and western countries be characterized as
“unfair”?
Describe the “slow response” of the U.S. government and how it failed to prevent 9/11.
Prior to 9/11, what were some weaknesses of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS)?
In Iraq, why were the Iraqis ill-prepared to fight an insurgency?
What is “organizational agility”?
Give examples of how the U.S. Government has acted swiftly and decisively during
times of crisis.
Provide examples of how the parts responsible for national security are moving slower
and getting worse.
What explanation is given for the process of appointing a President’s administration
being so slow?
As organizations grow, why does the decision making process slow?
Give at least two examples where the government has moved out smartly on national
security missions.
Why do those cases have in common? How were they carried out?
Why does the author argue that we must “make sure U.S. national security organizations
have a legal mechanism for bending or breaking existing rules; make sure they have the
means for having such rule-benders on hand,; make sure these rule benders exercise
influence; and make sure they don’t get out of control”? (Provide support)