U.S. intelligence agencies had some prior warnings about Syria 's missile attack . Schneier : Despite the knowledge , the CIA was n't able to stop the attack . He says that more data does not necessarily allow us to act meaningfully . ( CNN ) -- We recently learned that U.S. intelligence agencies had at least three days ' warning that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was preparing to launch a chemical attack on his own people , but was n't able to stop it . Schneier : The paradox is that a lot of valuable intelligence ca n't be used for action .
U.S. intelligence agencies had some prior warnings about Syria 's missile attack . Schneier : Despite the knowledge , the CIA was n't able to stop the attack . He says that more data does not necessarily allow us to act meaningfully . Schneier : The paradox is that a lot of valuable intelligence ca n't be used for action .