Obama Takes Responsibility For Failure To Halt Attempted Attack, Promises Security Overhaul

Following a review of Christmas day’s attempted terrorist attack onboard flight 253, President Barack Obama accepted responsibility for the intelligence community’s failure to prevent a young Nigerian man from nearly detonating an explosive mid-flight.

“Ultimately the buck stops with me,” Obama said in a statement Thursday. “When the system fails it is my responsibility.”

Obama promised a slate of security measures aimed at streamlining government agencies’ ability to share data. Specifically, the intelligence community will be required to take a more aggressive approach when following leads, share gathered information faster and with a wider audience and ultimately develop the means to analyze vast amounts of data with greater ease.

Agencies will also be expected to establish internal review systems to track down potential missteps surrounding the attempt. White House Deputy National Security Advisor John Brennan will brief the president on the agencies’ progress within a month.

In addition, the president stressed the importance of maintaining security at airports and pledged to expand the no-fly list and pursue technology more equipped to detect potential threats.