Michael E. Leiter served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) until July 2011. He was sworn in as NCTC’s second-ever director on June 12, 2008, upon his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and after serving as the acting director since November 2007. He was initially nominated to serve as director by President George W. Bush in March 2008, and was one of the few national security officials asked to continue as director by President Barack Obama in December 2009.

As the director of NCTC, Leiter led the primary organization in the U.S. government for analysis and integration of all terrorism intelligence—both domestically and overseas. In addition, Leiter reported directly to the President in conducting strategic operational planning for U.S. Government-wide counterterrorism activities, to include the integration of U.S. military, intelligence, diplomatic, financial, and homeland security counterterrorism efforts. As NCTC’s Director, Leiter led more than 1,000 personnel and managed an annual budget of more than $400 million; in addition, he advised the...