A Most Wated Man

Ever since the beginning of the "war on terror," one major question keeps being raised. Which is more important, defending civil rights or ensuring national security? This question has split Joint Steering ever since its creation only a few years ago. Joint Steering evolved from the idea that the Domestic Intelligence (like our FBI) and Foreign Intelligence (like our CIA) should be joined under one roof, in order to share information. Though the idea was good, putting it into practice didn't work so well. The committee in charge of setting everything up was lead by two men with very different ideas. Michael Axelrod, from Foreign Intelligence, felt that everything in their power should be done to protect civil right. On the other hand Dieter Burgdorf from Domestic Intelligence felt that national security was of utmost importance. This rivalry split the entire organization into two camps. Carre says "Since Burgdorf was from the interior ministry, and Mohr and Keller were employed by the domestic intelligence services, then logically it was to...Burgdorf that they would look for favor... and Bachman was Axelrod's protégé and college, then logically Bachman was Axelrod's vassal heart and soul" (Carre 100). These opinions lead to incooperation. Bachman states about Mohr and Keller "it's two against one, the shinning - white protectors versus one excommunicated black sheep" (Carre 99).

Mohr and Keller saw Bachman's case as a potential threat and wanted to arrest the suspect, and maybe get some brownie points in the eyes of Burgdorf. The two would not listen to Bachman, who said that his case was not as cut and dry as they think, and that he needs more time. Neither side was willing to compromise, which only lead to more trouble and eventually Bachman had to call Axelrod to back up his side, and even then only getting 10 extra days. This inability to compromise without help ultimately hinders both sides, since neither is capable of workin something out so nothing gets done. People need to learn to compromise, even if they have different views, in order to get things done.