Economy primary threat to US security

The top US intelligence official has warned that the global economic crisis evolved into a major threat to US interests in the world. 

Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence, told a Senate committee that the economic crisis threatens to destabilize governments in less developed countries friendly to the United States and could curtail NATO support for the conflict in Afghanistan. 

"The primary near-term security concern of the United States is the global economic crisis and its geopolitical implications," the new intelligence chief said. "The crisis has been ongoing for over a year, and economists are divided over whether and when we could hit bottom." 

Suffering in key regions like Latin America and Africa could undermine US influence in the regions, and place blame on the United States, the world's largest economy, for the financial crisis could jeopardize America's leadership in the world economy. 

"This crisis presents challenges for the United States," the retired admiral told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "We're generally held responsible for it." 

Blair, however, said that lower oil prices could help dampen the ambitions of two leaders, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who oppose US polices in their regions. 

Blair maintained that al-Qaeda, the terrorist network responsible for the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, remains the single most dangerous security threat to the United States.