NSA director Gen. Keith Alexander testified on Tuesday that the agency’s surveillance program has stopped roughly 50 terrorist attacks around the globe. Alexander told the House Intelligence Committee that the two programs disclosed by whistleblower Edward Snowden are crucial to the fight against terrorism and help analysts “connect the dots.” Committee leaders, including chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R–Michigan) were supportive of the NSA’s efforts, saying the data sweeps were vital to the intelligence community.
