The lapse in surveillance that allowed the Charlie Hebdo attackers to fall off the radar shows the need for the immense but controversial surveillance work being done by the National Security Agency in the United Sates, says National Review editor Rich Lowry.
"It highlights the importance of surveillance. These guys fell through the cracks just because … there are too many targets to follow in France," Lowry said Sunday on "Meet the Press." "This is a reason we have things like the NSA program."
The attack also highlights the domestic security consequences of having the greater Middle East in flames, Lowry said, because extremists have the space and the weaponry to occupy and train people.