"President Donald Trump says he ordered the airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani to 'stop a war' and not start one. NBC’s Hans Nichols reports for Weekend TODAY and the McCain Institute’s Nicholas Rasmussen joins for analysis..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
Nick Rasmussen joins Geoff Bennett to discuss the aftermath of the strike against Soleimani: the threat to U.S. personnel in the region, the potential for escalation, and concern about the ability of this Administration to manage a crisis of this magnitude... Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
"Nick Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center and an NBC News contributor, said Iran's overseas capabilities can be viewed as three concentric circles. "In its immediate neighborhood, Iran could put together a response almost immediately, such as this week's assault on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. In the broader Middle East, it might take Iran more time, but its proxies could still threaten U.S. personnel, business people or tourists, Rasmussen said. In the rest of the world, including Southeast [...]
"‘We’ve been having individuals from Arab militaries studying and working here for decades — not just from Saudi Arabia but from across the Arab world,’ said Nicholas Rasmussen, a former intelligence official who directed the National Counterterrorism Center. ‘When something like this happens you have to go back and look at whatever vetting procedures you have and check carefully to make sure that you are doing everything you can to get a full picture of those entering the United States for [...]
"NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Nicholas Rasmussen, ex-director of the National Counterterrorism Center, about the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi..." Listen to the full interview here: Full Interview
"‘When you think about the impact it will have on ISIS going forward, this is more like the close of a chapter, but by no means the end of the story,' said Nick Rasmussen, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center during the last two years of President Barack Obama’s tenure and the first year of the Trump administration. “‘In terms of the immediate impact on the lethality of the group... or the degree to which ISIS as an organization [...]
“‘We have selected women and men of extraordinary achievement and promise who in the mold of Senator John McCain have demonstrated their commitment to national security and public service,' said Rasmussen, who joined the McCain Institute as a senior director last year. 'Simply put, investing in the personal and professional development of the most promising emerging leaders engaged in national security and counterterrorism is vital for our future...’” Learn more about the fellowship here: Learn More
"'Joe [Maguire] is a terrific leader who cares deeply about the men and women of the intelligence community,' said Nick Rasmussen, who held Maguire’s job at the counterterrorism center under Bush and President Barack Obama. 'He’s someone who has always accepted the call to serve his country in whatever way is required. This is no different...'” Read the full article here: Full Article
"Protecting the public from the most pressing terrorist threat 'has been our governing principle for many years now,' said Lisa Monaco, who served as the top counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama. Given the surge in attacks linked to the far right, she said, 'we need to prioritize our resources and focus on this threat.' "...Nicholas Rasmussen, who served three years as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said that attacks linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State — including the [...]
"Just three days before the mass shooting in El Paso, the former FBI Assistant Director for Counter Intelligence warned in a New York Times op-ed that President Trump was fanning the flames of race-based terrorism. Frank Figliuzzi, who wrote that opinion piece, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss alongside Jane Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS, Nick Rasmussen, a former director of the national counterterrorism center, and Charlie Sykes, editor in chief of The Bulwark..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview