Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Tuesday he does not think that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will sign the proposed Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States, NBC News reported. Clapper, who made the comment during questioning at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats, is the highest ranking U.S. official to publicly express doubts that a deal will be struck. Asked whether the U.S. should wait until after the forthcoming Afghan presidential elections, in order to pursue a deal with Karzai’s successor, Clapper said that "it may not be company policy," but "I don't believe President Karzai's going to sign it." Responding to questions about Syria, Clapper said the situation and the humanitarian crisis there are an "apocalyptic disaster." He said that he believes it will remain added that the regime is still receiving "external support" from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah.
