Quote Originally Posted by Tom Odom View Post
My short answer, Rex, is "absolutely." I can tell you from experience in the FAO field that we have as a matter of course not used regional specialists of foreign extraction to include 1st and 2nd generation in their region of origin. Or if they are married to persons who originate from that region. The reasons are long and complicated and with validity but do limit us in ways that I believe cost us more in terms of effectiveness that it saves us in terms of security. Of course I am speaking as an intel operator and not a counter-intel type. They have a very different view.

State on the other hand is completely different.

best

Tom
This may be changing. I have an analyst with many of the characteristics you describe that was just granted a clearance.