WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Allies are helping in the war against terror but other threats lurk, Vice Adm. John McConnell told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
"Our success to date against al-Qaida and other terrorists, along with our ability to prevent attacks abroad and at home, have been aided considerably by cooperation from many foreign governments, among them Iraq, the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan," he told senators in his debut as National Intelligence director Tuesday.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been exacerbated by terrorism, but that is "not the only threat we face," he said.
The second-greatest threat to the United States and its allies are the "efforts by both states and non-state actors to develop or acquire dangerous weapons and delivery systems," he said, pointing to nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.
While North Korea has agreed to halt its nuclear ambitions, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within five to 10 years, he warned.
Venezuela is also a concern where President Hugo Chavez "is among the most strident anti-American leaders anywhere in the world, and will continue to try to undercut U.S. influence in Latin America and internationally," he said.
Iran and Venezuela could pose a significant threat to energy security not only for the United States and the West, but China and India as well, he said.
Russia must also be watched as it builds its capacity as an energy supplier, which could have "broad ramifications that include strong-arm tactics in its relations with neighboring states," he said.
