Two years after the September 11, 2001, attacks, political leaders and the nation are still divided and uncertain about how to reform the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities. The expanded powers of the FBI and the Justice Department-for expanded surveillance, investigation, and detention under the Patriot Act-have been perceived by the media and the courts as an infringement of civil liberties and have come under attack. Some members of Congress have sought to cut off funding for portions of the act, civil liberties groups have filed lawsuits challenging its constitutionality, and cities have passed resolutions forbidding local officials from cooperating with its enforcement. Despite the controversy, President Bush recently called for a further expansion of some Patriot Act provisions.

AEI visiting scholar John Yoo, former justice department official Alice Fisher, former congressman Bob Barr, and Stuart Taylor of National Journal will discuss whether the intelligence-gathering powers of the government are sufficient to prevail in the war on terrorism, whether they infringe too far on civil liberties, and whether more fundamental structural reforms of the law enforcement and intelligence agencies are needed.