In the Room for Debate section of the Times' Opinion Pages, the Times asked: "Do We Need the C.I.A.?"

In the introduction to the debate, the Times pointed out:

Since Senator Daniel Patrick Moynahan introduced bills in 1991 and 1995 to abolish the Central Intelligence Agency and transfer its powers to the State Department, many have continued to share his concerns about the agency's competence and performance. The Senate intelligence committee's report on the use of torture is the latest example of the agency's controversies.

The Times concludes its introduction with this remarkable question:

Would the security needs of the United States be better served if the C.I.A. were dismantled?

That is a remarkable development. When was the last time you read that question being asked by anyone in the mainstream press? Wouldn't we ordinarily see the question posed in the following manner: "Is It Time to Reform the CIA?"

Some of the debaters, not surprisingly, said that the CIA is more important than ever, especially to keep us safe and to protect "national security."