The Obama White House released a statement Tuesday evening -- the eve of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- assuring the public that President Obama's national security team "is taking measures to prevent 9/11-related attacks and to ensure the protection of U.S. persons and facilities abroad." What makes the statement different from a routine press release is that it acknowledges last year's 9/11 anniversary attack on the U.S. facility in Benghazi, Libya, and at least tacitly concedes the violence was a surprise.

"The events of last year, losing four brave Americans -- Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods -- brought home the reality of the challenges we face in the world," the statement says. "As we near this day of remembrance, we continue to mourn the death of our cherished colleagues and honor their dedication to public service."

According to the statement, President Obama met with his national security team on Tuesday, the last of several sessions held by top White House counterterrorism official Lisa Monaco "to review security measures in place for the anniversary."

......Are American officials any more prepared for this year's anniversary than they were for the last? The administration says so, but then again, they said that last year, too

LINK

Car bomb rocks Benghazi on anniversary of Consulate attacks